| Most LID practices work at the ground-level by routing stormwater flows from impervious surfaces into excavated or natural depressions or by allowing stormwater to pass through a traditionally impervious surface, as is the case with permeable pavements. These depressions are designed and constructed to the meet goals of the LID practice, which may be quality control, quantity control, or water balance restoration. [[Bioretention]] gardens, [[bioswales]], [[rain gardens]], [[enhanced swales]], [[exfiltration trenches]], [[permeable pavements]], and infiltration systems ([[infiltration chambers|chambers]], [[infiltration trenches|trenches]], and [[soakaways]]) all fall into this category. | | Most LID practices work at the sub-surface and ground-level by routing stormwater flows from impervious surfaces into excavated or natural depressions or by allowing stormwater to pass through a traditionally impervious surface, as is the case with permeable pavements. These depressions are designed and constructed to the meet goals of the LID practice, which may be quality control, quantity control, or water balance restoration. [[Bioretention]] gardens, [[bioswales]], [[rain gardens]], [[enhanced swales]], [[exfiltration trenches]], [[permeable pavements]], and infiltration systems ([[infiltration chambers|chambers]], [[infiltration trenches|trenches]], and [[soakaways]]) all fall into this category. |
| For this reason, Stages 1-2 and 5 of the LID construction process are fundamentally similar for all '''ground-level LID''' types. To illustrate, STEP's recommended processes for excavation do not differ between LID practice types. Excavation is excavation, whether it is for a bioretention garden or a permeable pavement parking lot. On the other hand, stage 4 sub-tasks will vary depending on whether the LID practice's surface is vegetated or permeable pavement. Some sub-tasks in stage 3 will also vary depending on the LID type. For example, permeable pavements often require compaction of sub-surface storage layers. The following sections give a brief description of each over-arching stage, a list of sub-tasks for each stage, and links to the page dedicated to each main LID construction stage. | | For this reason, Stages 1-2 and 5 of the LID construction process are fundamentally similar for all '''sub-surface''' and '''ground-level LID''' types. To illustrate, STEP's recommended processes for excavation do not differ between LID practice types. Excavation is excavation, whether it is for a bioretention garden or a permeable pavement parking lot. On the other hand, stage 4 sub-tasks will vary depending on whether the LID practice's surface is vegetated or permeable pavement. Some sub-tasks in stage 3 will also vary depending on the LID type. For example, permeable pavements often require compaction of sub-surface storage layers. The following sections give a brief description of each over-arching stage, a list of sub-tasks for each stage, and links to the page dedicated to each main LID construction stage. |
| '''Green roofs, blue roofs, stormwater planters, and rainwater harvesting systems have specific construction sequences that differ from the main sequence described above. One day we will write guidance for these LID practices as well.''' | | '''Green roofs, blue roofs, stormwater planters, and rainwater harvesting systems have specific construction sequences that differ from the main sequence described above. One day we will write guidance for these LID practices as well.''' |