Exfiltration trenches

Exfiltration trenches are similar to infiltration trenches but differ primarily in the the manner in which stormwater is delivered to the trench.
Runoff enters infiltration trenches directly by infiltration from the surface. In exfiltration systems, surface runoff is collected by drainage inlets and delivered to the trench via subsurface perforated pipes.

Overview

Typical flow pathway through one section of the Etobicoke Exfiltration system (see performance report for further details) For more details click here. A note: The following is an "image map", feel free to explore the image with your cursor and click on highlighted labels that appear to take you to corresponding pages on the Wiki.

Exfiltration systems can be thought of as infiltration trenches that are integrated with conventional stormwater conveyance systems (i.e. catch basins, solid pipes and maintenance holes), designed for both conveyance and infiltration of excess stormwater. By attenuating runoff volume, they reduce contaminant loads delivered to downstream BMPs, end-of-pipe facilities or receiving waterbodies.

Exfiltration pipe systems are an ideal technology for:

• Road retrofits where sewer lines are being replaced,
• All new road/storm sewer constructions where no constraints to infiltration exist,
• Tight urban spaces where no landscaped practices can be squeezed in, and there is a low risk tolerance for flooding.

Take a look at the downloadable Exfiltration Trench Systems Factsheet below for a .pdf overview of this LID Best Management Practice:

The fundamental components of an exfiltration system are:

• pre-treatment devices to retain coarse sediment, trash, debris and floatables,
• perforated pipes embedded in washed gravel connected to maintenance holes and catch basins,
• a gently sloping granular storage reservoir below the perforated pipe.

Optional components include:

• Geotextile to prevent migration of fines into the reservoir;
• Trench plugs to help disperse stormwater throughout the trench and enhance infiltration; and
• Perforated maintenance hole or catch basin risers.

Exfiltration systems can be used in place of conventional storm sewer pipes, where topography, water table depth, and water quality conditions are suitable. They are suitable for treating runoff from roofs, walkways, parking lots and low to medium traffic roads, with adequate pretreatment. Exfiltration systems can also be referred to as perforated pipe systems, clean water collector systems and percolation drainage systems.

Planning

If properly located, designed and maintained, perforated pipe systems can greatly reduce runoff volume while having little or no surface footprint, which helps to conserve highly valued developable land.

Systems should be located below shoulders of roadways, permeable pavements or swales where they can be readily excavated for servicing. An adequate subsurface area outside of the 4 m setback from building foundations and suitable distance from other underground utilities must be available.

Site Topography

Systems cannot be located on natural slopes > 15 %.

Design

Geometry and Site Layout

• Gravel beds in which exfiltration systems are installed are typically rectangular excavations with a bottom width between 0.6 and 2.4 m .
• The gravel beds should have gentle slopes between 0.5 - 1 %.
• Calculate maximum flow through perforated pipe

Drawings

Standard details for exfiltration trenches have been produced by City of Kitchener and City of Barrie. See Drawings

Gallery

• 

  The 'Etobicoke Exfiltration system' (1994), Etobicoke ON

• 

  A pair of perforated pipes can be seen in this manhole during cleaning operations. Four connections in total as this manhole is part-way along the system.

Materials

Note the uniform size and angularity of this clear stone sample. Note also that the fragments all appear to have a film of fine particles adhering; this material would be improved by being washed prior to use.

This article gives recommendations for aggregate to be used to store water for infiltration. This is usually called 'clear stone' at aggregate yards.

To see an analysis of Ontario Standard Specifications for granular materials, see OPSS aggregates.

For advice on decorative surface aggregates see Stone

---

Gravel used for underdrains in bioretention, infiltration trenches and chambers, and exfiltration trenches should be 20 or 50 mm, uniformly-graded, clean (maximum wash loss of 0.5%), crushed angular stone that has a porosity of 0.4.

The clean wash to prevent rapid accumulation of fines from the aggregate particles in the base of the reservoir. The uniform grading and the angularity are important to maintain pore throats and clear voids between particles. (i.e. achieve the porosity). Porosity and permeability are directly influenced by the size, gradation and angularity of the particles . See jar test for on-site verification testing protocols.

Gravel with structural requirements should also meet the following criteria:

• Minimum durability index of 35
• Maximum abrasion of 10% for 100 revolutions and maximum of 50% for 500 revolutions

Standard specifications for the gradation of aggregates are maintained by ASTM D2940

• 

  The highest porosity is found in uniformly graded aggregate, as there are no smaller particles to occupy the inter-particle pores.

• 

  Higher permeability is found in larger, angular, uniformly graded aggregate. This is due to larger pore sizes and lower tortuosity.

---

The properties of geotextiles vary widely.

See Clogging for notes on their application in LID structures.

Geotextiles can be used to prevent downward migration of smaller particles in to larger aggregates, and slump of heavier particles into finer underlying courses. Geotextiles are commonly used on low strength soils (CBR<4). The formation of biofilm on geotextiles has also been shown to improve water quality:

• By degrading petroleum hydrocarbons
• By reducing organic pollutant and nutrient concentrations
• When installing geotextiles an overlap of 150 - 300 mm should be used.

Material specifications should conform to OPSS 1860 for Class II geotextile fabrics . Note when expansive clays are present, a non-infiltrating design may be necessary. If used, geotextile socks around perforated pipes should conform to ASTM D6707 with minimum water flow rate conforming to ASTM D4491 (12,263 L/min/m² at 5 cm head).

• Fabrics should be woven monofilament or non-woven needle punched.
• Woven slit film and non-woven heat bonded fabrics should not be used, as they are prone to clogging.

In choosing a product, consider:

1. The maximum forces that will be exerted on the fabric (i.e., what tensile, tear and puncture strength ratings are required?),
2. The load bearing ratio of the underlying native soil (i.e. is the geotextile needed to prevent downward migration of aggregate into the native soil?),
3. The texture (i.e., grain size distribution) of the overlying and underlying materials, and
4. The suitable apparent opening size (AOS) for non-woven fabrics, or percent open area (POA) for woven fabrics, to maintain water flow even with sediment and microbial film build-up.

Recommended criteria for selection of geotextile fabric

Percent soil/filter media passing 0.075 mm (#200 sieve)	Non-woven fabric apparent opening size (AOS, mm)	Woven fabric percent open area (POA, %)	Permittivity (sec-1)
>85	≤ 0.3	-	0.1
50 - 85	≤ 0.3	≥ 4	0.1
15 - 50	≤ 0.6	≥ 4	0.2
5 - 15	≤ 0.6	≥ 4	0.5
≤ 5	≤ 0.6	≥ 10	0.5

Performance research

http://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/7/4/1595/htm

---

Performance

Ability of exfiltration systems to meet SWM objectives

Water balance benefit	Water quality improvement	Erosion control benefit
Yes	Yes	Partial: depending on soil infiltration rate

Water balance

The degree to which water balance objectives are met will depend on the underlying native soil type on which the system is located. Several Ontario studies have assess the performance of exfiltration systems in cold climates.

Volumetric runoff reduction achieved by exfiltration systems

Practice	Location	Underlying soil type	Runoff reduction
Grass swale/perforated pipe	Nepean, ON	Silty till	73 %
Grass swale/perforated pipe	Nepean, ON	Sandy silty till	86 %
Perforated pipe	Etobicoke, ON	Clay/clayey silty till over silty sand	95 %
Perforated pipe	North york, ON	Silty sand	89 %

Runoff reduction estimate = 85 % on HSG A and B soils.
Runoff reduction estimate = 45 % on HSG C and D soils.

Pollutant removal capacity

Performance results from a limited number of field studies indicate that subsurface stormwater infiltration practices are effective BMPs for pollutant removal . These types of practices provide effective removal for many pollutants as a result of sedimentation, filtering, and soil adsorption. It is also important to note that there is a relationship between the water balance and water quality functions. If an infiltration practice infiltrates and evaporates 100% of the runoff from a site, then there is essentially no pollution leaving the site in surface runoff. Furthermore, treatment of infiltrated runoff continues to occur as it leaves the facility and moves through the native soil. The performance of perforated pipe systems would be expected to reduce pollutants in runoff in a manner similar to infiltration trenches.

Several studies of exfiltration systems in Ontario have examined their water quality benefits. Seasonal contaminant load reductions in the order of 80% were observed for most constituents, with the exception of chloride, in the study of the system installed in a low density residential neighbourhood in Etobicoke . Perforated pipe systems that incorporate grassed swales as pretreatment have been observed to reduce loads of suspended sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, copper, lead and zinc in runoff flowing from the system between 75 to 90% in comparison to a similar catchment with conventional catchbasins and storm sewers . The Nepean systems were shown to release significantly less pollutants than the conventional sewer system, even after 20 years of operation.

Pollutant removal efficiencies of exfiltration systems

Practice	Location	Lead %	Copper %	Zinc %	Total suspended solids (TSS) %	Total Phosphorus %	Total Nitrogen (TKN) %
Soakaway	Valence, France	98	-	54 - 88	-	-	-
Infiltration trench	Various	70 - 90	70 - 90	70 - 90	70 - 90	50 - 70	40 - 70
Grass swale/perforated pipe	North York, ON	75	96	93	24	84	84
Grass swale/perforated pipe	Nepean, ON	- 99	66	0	81	81	72
Grass swale/perforated pipe	Nepean, ON	> 99	> 99	90	96	93	93

---

See also

STEP and partners research and reports on exfiltration systems

External resources

• https://www.chijournal.org/C390
• http://www.civil.ryerson.ca/seminar/Papers/Draft%20Design%20manual%20of%20EES%20by%20Tran%20and%20Li%207-24-2015.pdf

---

The downward movement of water through the soil, the downward flow of runoff from the bottom of an infiltration BMP into the soil.

Loss of water from a drainage system as a result of percolation or absorption into the surrounding medium (e.g., the infiltration of water into the native soil through a perforated pipe wall as it is conveyed).

The portion of water precipitated onto a catchment area, which then flows as surface discharge from the catchment area past a specified point.

Water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the land surface.

The downward movement of water through the soil, the downward flow of runoff from the bottom of an infiltration BMP into the soil.

Loss of water from a drainage system as a result of percolation or absorption into the surrounding medium (e.g., the infiltration of water into the native soil through a perforated pipe wall as it is conveyed).

The portion of water precipitated onto a catchment area, which then flows as surface discharge from the catchment area past a specified point.

Water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the land surface.

Ground depression acting as a flow control and water treatment structure, that is normally dry.

Surface runoff from at-grade surfaces, resulting from rain or snowmelt events.

Low Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting.

Soil, sand and minerals washed from land into water, usually after rain. They pile up in reservoirs, rivers and harbors, destroying fish-nesting areas and holes of water animals and cloud the water so that needed sunlight might not reach aquatic plans. Careless farming, mining and building activities will expose sediment materials, allowing them to be washed off the land after rainfalls.

Gravel, or crushed stone of various size gradations (i.e., diameter), used in construction; void forming material used as bedding and runoff storage reservoirs and underdrains in stormwater infiltration practices.

Soil particles with a diameter less than 0.050 mm.

The slow movement of water into or through a soil or drainage system.

Penetration of water through the ground surface.

Ground depression acting as a flow control and water treatment structure, that is normally dry.

The upper surface of the zone of saturation, except where the surface is formed by an impermeable body.

Subsurface water level which is defined by the level below which all the spaces in the soil are filled with water; The entire region below the water table is called the saturated zone.

A broad category of particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates, and available in various particulate size gradations.

A broad category of particulate material used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, recycled concrete and geosynthetic aggregates, and available in various particulate size gradations.

The porosity (n) of a mixture is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the total or bulk volume of the mixture. It is closely related to the concept of void ratio (e) where void ratio is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the volume of solids. n = Volume of voids/Total volume of mixture = e/(1+e)

The porosity (n) of a mixture is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the total or bulk volume of the mixture. It is closely related to the concept of void ratio (e) where void ratio is the ratio of the volume of void-space to the volume of solids. n = Volume of voids/Total volume of mixture = e/(1+e)

Filter fabric that is installed to separate dissimilar soils and provide runoff filtration and contaminant removal benefits while maintaining a suitable rate of flow; may be used to prevent fine-textured soil from entering a coarse granular bed, or to prevent coarse granular from being compressed into underlying finer-textured soils.

The natural ground material characteristic of or existing by virtue of geographic origin.

The engineered soil component of bioretention cell or dry swale designs, typically with a high rate of infiltration and designed to retain contaminants through filtration and adsorption to particles.

Stormwater Management

The accounting of inflow and outflow of water in a system according to the components of the hydrologic cycle.

Includes the protection of soil from dislocation by water, wind or other agents.

The rate at which stormwater percolates into the subsoil measured in inches per hour.

The accounting of inflow and outflow of water in a system according to the components of the hydrologic cycle.

A shallow constructed channel, often grass-lined, which is used as an alternative to curb and channel, or as a pretreatment to other measures. Swales are generally characterized by a broad top width to depth ratio and gentle grades.

Vegetated, open channels designed to convey, treat and attenuate runoff. Design variations range from simple grass channels, which are designed primarily for conveyance to more complex treatment and volume reduction designs like enhanced grass swales, and dry swales or bioswales.

1. A mineral soil separate consisting of particles less than 0.002 millimeter in equivalent diameter. 2. A soil texture class. 3. (Engineering) A fine-grained soil (more than 50 percent passing the No. 200 Sieve) that has a high plasticity index in relation to the liquid limit. (Unified Soil Classification System).

Mineral particles which are smaller than 2 mm, and which are free of appreciable quantities of clay and silt. Coarse sand usually designates sand grains with particle size between 0.2 and 0.02 mm.

Deposition of material of varying size, both mineral and organic away from its site of origin by the action of water, wind, gravity or ice.

Settling-out or deposition of particulate matter suspended in runoff.

The attachment of gas, vapour or dissolved matter onto the surface of solid materials.

The land draining to a single reference point (usually a structural BMP); similar to a subwatershed, but on a smaller scale.

Total suspended solids

An underground water storage reservoir into which stormwater is directed and allowed to percolate into the underlying native subsoil.

An excavated area lined with geotextile filter cloth and filled with clean granular stone or other void forming material, that receives runoff and allow it to infiltrate into the native soil; can also be referred to as infiltration galleries, French drains, dry wells or soakaway pits.

Gravel, or crushed stone of various size gradations (i.e., diameter), used in construction; void forming material used as bedding and runoff storage reservoirs and underdrains in stormwater infiltration practices.

A shallow constructed channel, often grass-lined, which is used as an alternative to curb and channel, or as a pretreatment to other measures. Swales are generally characterized by a broad top width to depth ratio and gentle grades.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program

A shallow constructed channel, often grass-lined, which is used as an alternative to curb and channel, or as a pretreatment to other measures. Swales are generally characterized by a broad top width to depth ratio and gentle grades.

The water below the surface, and typically below the groundwater table.