Difference between revisions of "LID opportunities at municipal facilities"

From LID SWM Planning and Design Guide
Jump to navigation Jump to search
 
(9 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 11: Line 11:
[[File:Bioretention_Planters_1.jpeg|thumb|[[Stormwater 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|[[Stormwater 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 paving]] is also an option in large municipal parking lots. Pervious concrete, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt can detain stormwater and increase infiltration.
[[Permeable pavements]] are also an option in large municipal parking lots. Pervious concrete, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt can detain stormwater and increase infiltration.


Municipal facilities provide excellent opportunities for integrating [[rainwater harvesting]] systems. 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 producing relatively clean runoff. Installing a cistern internal to the building or buried adjacent to the building can provide a sustainable source of water for site irrigation needs for landscaped areas, recreational fields and indoor use (e.g. flushing toilets and urinals).
Municipal facilities provide excellent opportunities for integrating [[rainwater harvesting]] systems. 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 producing relatively clean runoff. Installing a cistern internal to the building or buried adjacent to the building can provide a sustainable source of water for site irrigation needs for landscaped areas, recreational fields and indoor use (e.g. flushing toilets and urinals).
Line 19: Line 19:


=== Targeting pollution prevention opportunities ===
=== Targeting pollution prevention opportunities ===
On some municipal sites, pollution prevention techniques and strategies outlined in Chapter 2 are the best approaches to mitigating the environmental impact of your site. Retrofits of municipal works yards require a different approach than other land uses discussed in this guide. Works yards do not offer substantial opportunities for public interaction. LID retrofits should focus primarily on reducing pollution generated on-site. Fuelling stations, waste storage areas, truck washing stations, sand and salt storage, staging areas and water conveyance features are ideal for
On some municipal sites, [[Pollution prevention|pollution prevention]] techniques and strategies are the best approaches to mitigating the environmental impact of your site. Retrofits of municipal works yards require a different approach than other land uses discussed in this guide. Works yards do not offer substantial opportunities for public interaction. LID retrofits should focus primarily on reducing pollution generated on-site. Fueling stations, waste storage areas, truck washing stations, sand and salt storage, staging areas and water conveyance features are ideal for pollution prevention.
pollution prevention.


=== Source areas ===
=== Source areas ===
The best LID option for your site will depend what source areas are present. Types of source areas include:
The best LID option for your site will depend what source areas are present. Types of source areas include:
[[File:Figure 4.3.7 (G-to-G Public Lands).JPG|thumb|Source areas within a typical community centre.]]
*Active use areas
*Active use areas
*Passive use areas
*Passive use areas
Line 36: Line 36:
(** = Common, * = Possible, o = Unusual)
(** = Common, * = Possible, o = Unusual)
! Source area  
! Source area  
! [[Permeable pavement]]  
! [[Permeable pavements]]  
! [[Bioretention]]  
! [[Bioretention]]  
! [[Enhanced grass swales]] / [[Bioswales|bioswales]]  
! [[Enhanced grass swales]] / [[Bioswales|bioswales]]  
! [[Green roofs]]  
! [[Green roofs]]  
![[Soakaways, Infiltration Trenches and Infiltration Chambers Guide| Soakaways]] and [[Infiltration trenches|infiltration trenches]]  
! Soakaways and [[Infiltration chambers|infiltration chambers]]  
! [[Exfiltration trenches|Perforated pipe systems]]  
! [[Exfiltration trenches|Perforated pipe systems]]  
! [[Rainwater harvesting]]  
! [[Rainwater harvesting]]  
Line 59: Line 59:
|style="text-align: left;" |Building || * || * || * || ** || ** || * || ** || o || o || **
|style="text-align: left;" |Building || * || * || * || ** || ** || * || ** || o || o || **
|}
|}
[[File:Figure 4.3.7 (G-to-G Public Lands).JPG|thumb|Source areas within a typical community centre.]]
===Small-scale projects===
Starting with small-scale projects is a good strategy to
increase public interest in LID practices, gauge municipal
support, and gain retrofit experience. Small-scale projects
include retrofitting your site with landscape alternatives or rain
barrels, enhancements of existing swales, or using pollution
prevention strategies and practices.
Small-scale projects require fewer resources and require a
smaller project budget because:
* They do not require integration into capital works
projects
* Engineering consultants are not required
* Contractors may not be required
* External approvals are not required
* Consultation with the public is limited
Due to this smaller financial commitment, it can be easier
to build colleague and supervisor support for small-scale
projects.
[[Pollution prevention|Pollution prevention (P2)]] projects are great
small-scale projects for municipal facilities
like public works yards. To learn more about
implementing P2 on your site, '''refer to the case studies on Armstrong Manufacturing Inc, Bernardi Building Supply Ltd. and Unifay-Fedar Investments in Appendix B.'''
Many P2 techniques and strategies do not require
construction, consultants or contractors. Adding signage to a
site is a simple and easy to implement pollution prevention at
municipal facilities.
A successful small-scale LID retrofit project on your municipal
site is a good indication that you are ready to take on a more
intensive retrofit project. You now know the resources that are
available and understand the internal municipal processes
required to move a LID project from planning to finished
product.
===Large-scale projects===
Large-scale projects require significantly more effort, budget,
and staff than small-scale projects. Large-scale LID retrofits
include:
* Bioretention
* Enhanced grass swales
* Bioswales
* Perforated pipe systems
* Permeable pavement
* Soakaways
* Infiltration chambers
* Rainwater harvesting (excluding rain barrels)
* Prefabricated modules
* Green roofs
Consider a large-scale project if your municipality or
department would like to be a leader in sustainability. Large-scale
projects are often highly visible and attract more public
attention. Large-scale projects may also be the only solution
to site-specific challenges. For example, if site infrastructure
is at risk as a result of urban flooding, LID practices that detain
large volumes of runoff and encourage infiltration are the
most viable LID options.
Before starting a large-scale retrofit project, consider the
following distinctions that set these retrofits apart from small-scale
projects.
===Integration with capital works programs===
Most large-scale LID retrofits must function with existing
site infrastructure, such as storm sewers, catch basins,
and pavement systems. The construction of large-scale
LID practices often requires these systems to be removed,
exposed, or replaced. The best time for this type of project to
occur is when an infrastructure replacement or rehabilitation
project is already planned.
When LID retrofits are worked into other construction
projects, such as parking lot repaving, or grading or drainage
improvements, there can be substantial cost savings.
Whether big or small, every municipality spends relatively
large sums of money and substantial time planning for
major capital projects. This includes redevelopment of public
building and spaces. Many communities who have undertaken
retrofits recognize that even if a relatively small portion of the
project funds goes towards LID retrofits, they can retrofit large
impervious surfaces and avoid new stormwater management
infrastructure projects17.
Municipal facility rehabilitation is typically forecast well in
advance of the project. Parking lot paving is typically worked
into municipal budgets based on expected life cycle and
observed wear. As such, funds may be set aside prior to
the project planning phases. Long-term forecast budgets
may also be available for site revitalizations or expansions.
These budget forecasts provide opportunities to compare the
capital and life-cycle costs and benefits of the conventional
construction project and LID retrofit.
===Involvement of consultants and contractors===
Consultants are required for large-scale retrofit projects,
specifically for the final screening of options, pre-design,
detailed design, tender and contract documents, construction
supervision and administration, and assumption and
verification.
Site contractors are also required for large-scale LID retrofits.
Ideally, contractors should be pre-qualified based on previous
experience with similar LID projects.
Remember, the contractor with the lowest bid
does not necessarily deliver the best product.
===More intensive public consultation===
Stakeholders must be closely involved in the retrofit process
for large-scale LID projects. These projects have longer
construction windows, may have significant impacts on long-term
public use patterns of the site, and will cost significantly
more taxpayer dollars.
Gaining public insight in advance of LID implementation can
help address public concerns and information gaps, as well as identify public supporters and champions. Public consultation
can help designers tailor the project to address community
concerns and values. Consultation can also help the design
team integrate the LID practice into the site’s landscape.
===External approvals===
Large-scale retrofits may require a variety of approvals at the
municipal, watershed, provincial, and/or federal level.
Since LID is still relatively new, you may encounter policies
or bylaws that present barriers to LID retrofit projects.
Alternatively, the municipality may have to amend or enforce
some policies and bylaws to facilitate the implementation of
LID projects on your site.


[[Category:Planning]]
[[Category:Planning]]

Latest revision as of 18:35, 6 August 2020

Each distinct area of your site can be a source for runoff (referred to as a ‘source area’). Target these areas when introducing LID in your municipal facility.

Targeting hard surfaces[edit]

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.

Bioswales are excellent options 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.

Stormwater 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 pavements are also an option in large municipal parking lots. Pervious concrete, permeable interlocking concrete pavers, and porous asphalt can detain stormwater and increase infiltration.

Municipal facilities provide excellent opportunities for integrating rainwater harvesting systems. 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 producing relatively clean runoff. Installing a cistern internal to the building or buried adjacent to the building can provide a sustainable source of water for site irrigation needs for landscaped areas, recreational fields and indoor use (e.g. flushing toilets and urinals).

Targeting highly visible areas[edit]

If your LID integration strategy involves highly visible LID practices, consider targeting areas with high-volume pedestrian traffic. This can help promote LID's visibility among the public and increase support for future LID projects.

Targeting pollution prevention opportunities[edit]

On some municipal sites, pollution prevention techniques and strategies are the best approaches to mitigating the environmental impact of your site. Retrofits of municipal works yards require a different approach than other land uses discussed in this guide. Works yards do not offer substantial opportunities for public interaction. LID retrofits should focus primarily on reducing pollution generated on-site. Fueling stations, waste storage areas, truck washing stations, sand and salt storage, staging areas and water conveyance features are ideal for pollution prevention.

Source areas[edit]

The best LID option for your site will depend what source areas are present. Types of source areas include:

Source areas within a typical community centre.
  • Active use areas
  • Passive use areas
  • Pedestrian walkways
  • Internal driveways
  • Parking lots

On municipal sites, pollution prevention is often associated with changes to operations and maintenance practices and has not been included in the table below.

LID opportunities in municipal buildings
(** = Common, * = Possible, o = Unusual)
Source area Permeable pavements Bioretention Enhanced grass swales / bioswales Green roofs Soakaways and infiltration chambers Perforated pipe systems Rainwater harvesting Landscape alternatives Prefabricated modules Pollution prevention
Active use area ** ** ** o ** * o * o **
Passive use area o ** * o ** ** o ** ** **
Pedestrian walkway ** ** ** o ** * o * * **
Internal driveway ** ** ** o ** ** o o ** **
Parking lot ** ** ** o ** ** o o ** **
Building * * * ** ** * ** o o **