Changes

Municipal facilities have large parking lots to accommodate public demand. Parking areas represent the most significant source of pollutant loading from these sites and contribute significantly to increased runoff rates in comparison to natural conditions. Parking lots include areas for parking, areas for driving, and islands or landscape planters used for calming traffic, directing vehicles, and improving pedestrian safety.

Municipal facilities have large parking lots to accommodate public demand. Parking areas represent the most significant source of pollutant loading from these sites and contribute significantly to increased runoff rates in comparison to natural conditions. Parking lots include areas for parking, areas for driving, and islands or landscape planters used for calming traffic, directing vehicles, and improving pedestrian safety.

LID practices can be incorporated into all areas of a parking lot. You can use bioretention in parking lot islands and along the lot perimeter. Standard curbs with small cut-outs (called ‘curb cuts’) can allow water to easily enter biorentention practices while also preventing damage from cars.

LID practices can be incorporated into all areas of a parking lot. You can use [[bioretention]] in parking lot islands and along the lot perimeter. Standard curbs with small cut-outs (called ‘[[curb cuts]]’) can allow water to easily enter biorentention practices while also preventing damage from cars.

Bioswales can also be located in parking lot islands or along lot perimeters. Parking lots with existing perimeter ditching are ideal for bioswale integration due to their extended continuous flow path.

[[Bioswales]] can also be located in parking lot islands or along lot perimeters. Parking lots with existing perimeter ditching are ideal for bioswale integration due to their extended continuous flow path.

Prefabricated modular infiltration chambers are gaining acceptance for their easy integration with parking lot functions. These subsurface systems are typically installed over a coarse granular reservoir to provide storage and allow infiltration into native soils. Infiltration chambers under conventional asphalt system work well on sites where parking demand and other site uses do not allow space for a stormwater feature.

Prefabricated modular [[infiltration chamber]]s are gaining acceptance for their easy integration with parking lot functions. These subsurface systems are typically installed over a coarse granular reservoir to provide storage and allow infiltration into native soils. Infiltration chambers under conventional asphalt system work well on sites where parking demand and other site uses do not allow space for a stormwater feature.

[[File:Bioretention_Planters_1.jpeg|thumb|Bioretention planters beautify this building entrance. The entrance receives a lot of traffic during business hours, making it an ideal location for a high visibility LID practice. (Source: Aquafor Beech)]]

[[File:Bioretention_Planters_1.jpeg|thumb|Bioretention planters beautify this building entrance. The entrance receives a lot of traffic during business hours, making it an ideal location for a high visibility LID practice. (Source: Aquafor Beech)]]

Permeable pavement can also be integrated in large municipal parking lots. Pervious concrete, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt can detain stormwater and increase infiltration.

Permeable pavement can also be integrated in large municipal parking lots. Pervious concrete, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt can detain stormwater and increase infiltration.

There are also excellent opportunities to integrate rainwater harvesting systems in many municipal facilities. Rainwater harvesting systems have two requirements: an area for catchment of relatively clean runoff, and a nearby demand for water usage. Municipal facilities often have large rooftop areas that produce relatively clean runoff. Installing a cistern either internal to the building or buried adjacent to the building can provide a sustainable source of water for site irrigation needs, including landscaped areas and recreational fields, as well as indoor use for flushing toilets and urinals.

There are also excellent opportunities to integrate [[rainwater harvesting]] systems in many municipal facilities. Rainwater harvesting systems have two requirements: an area for catchment of relatively clean runoff, and a nearby demand for water usage. Municipal facilities often have large rooftop areas that produce relatively clean runoff. Installing a cistern either internal to the building or buried adjacent to the building can provide a sustainable source of water for site irrigation needs, including landscaped areas and recreational fields, as well as indoor use for flushing toilets and urinals.

=== Targeting Highly Visible Areas ===

=== Targeting Highly Visible Areas ===