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4.3 Stormwater treatment
Stormwater can be polluted as discussed in Section 2. When collected in a
combined sewerage system it is treated with the wastewater, though treatment is
not effective during peak heavy stormwater run-off periods resulting in combined
sewer overflow (CSO) that is not treated. Storage basins or tanks can be used to
accommodate moderate peak flows of combined stormwater and wastewater, and
treating the stored water at night when wastewater flow is a minimum. Further
details on CSO can be found in Source Book‘s Regional Overview for Western
Europe, which devotes a full sub-section on CSO.
Separately collected stormwater is generally treated by passing it through a
settling basin to remove solids (Figure 27). The retention time in the settling
basin is designed so that solids can settle in say 20 minutes for a one in five
year storm-event. For storm-events less than the design value, removal
efficiency is greater, while for storm-events greater than the design value
removal efficiency is lower. Mechanical devices have been developed that can
trap gross solids. Both settling basins and mechanical traps need to be cleaned
regularly to maintain solids removal efficiency.
 Naturally landscaped
stormwater drains can help filter out fine sediments through the action of
vegetation slowing down the flow and trapping solids. Permeable surfaces allow
rainwater to percolate into the soil, thus treating the water in much the same
manner as land based treatment of wastewater (4.2.4.) and at the same time
reduce the amount of run-off. Pavements have been designed and manufactured for
this purpose. Directing run-off to vegetated area (rainwater harvesting) can
reduce down-stream flow and reuse the water for maintaining plant growth. This
is especially beneficial in arid climates. Four techniques for stormwater
treatment are described below. Used judiciously these can treat stormwater
locally (at source, Figure 27). Applying these on a sub-catchment scale (site),
or whole catchment scale (region) can reduce flooding and the undesirable
impacts of stormwater described in Section 2, while at the same time improve the
amenity value of the landscape through creation of, for example, passive
recreation water bodies.
4.3.1 Filter strips and swales
 Filter strips and swales
are vegetated surface features that drain water evenly off impermeable areas
(Figure 28). Swales are long shallow channels, while filter strips are gently
sloping areas of ground. They allow run-off to flow in sheets through
vegetation, slowing and filtering the flow. Swales also act to temporarily store
and infiltrate the run-off into the ground. Sediments are removed from the
water, and vegetation can take up any nutrients in the water. Swales and filter
strips can be integrated into the surrounding land use, for example, road
verges. Local grasses and flower species can be introduced for visual effect and
to provide a wildlife habitat. Maintenance consists of regular mowing, clearing
litter and periodic removal of excess silt.
4.3.2 Filter drains and permeable surfaces
Filter drains consist of permeable materials located below ground to store
run-off. Run-off flows to the storage area via a permeable surface (Figure 29).
The permeable surface can be in the form of grassed or graveled areas, paving
blocks with gaps between individual units or paving blocks with vertical voids
built in. Water is therefore collected from a large surface area, stored in the
filter drains and allowed to infiltrate through the soil. The permeable fill
traps sediments and thereby cleans the run-off. Filter drains and permeable
surfaces are currently used for road verges and car parks. The surfaces should
be kept clear of silt and cleaned regularly to keep the voids clear. Weed
control may be necessary.
4.3.3 Infiltration devices
 Infiltration devices drain
water directly into the ground. They include soakways and infiltration trenches,
which are located below ground, and into which stormwater run-off is directed.
They function by storing water and allowing the water to infiltrate into the
ground. Figure 30 shows a cross-section through a traditional soakway or a
chamber soakway. They work well when the soil is permeable and the groundwater
table is not close to the surface. Maintenance consists of regular inspection to
ensure the infiltration capacity is maintained. Areas draining to an
infiltration device should be kept clear of silt, as this will get washed into
the device and reduce its permeability as well as filling up space that should
be used for storage.
4.3.4 Basins and ponds
Basins are areas for storage of run-off that are dry during dry weather,
whereas ponds have permanent water (Figure 31). Both store water and therefore
attenuate the flow of water during a storm. Flow downstream of the basins or
ponds can therefore be controlled. Basins and ponds also act as infiltration
devices (Section 4.3.3). Basins and ponds are usually used at the end of a train
of treatment for stormwater, and provide additional step if source control
(Sections 4.3.1 to 4.3.3) does not have an adequate capacity to control run-off.
Detention time is of the order of two to three weeks. Both basins and ponds can
be vegetated, so that we can have a range of features, including wetlands that
have amenity values for passive recreation or wildlife habitat. Run-off water
quality is improved upon storage in basins or ponds because of sedimentation of
solids, bacterial action and nutrient uptake by vegetation. Water stored in
ponds can also be used for irrigation of parks and gardens or for fire-fighting
and other purposes. Basins and ponds need to be maintained to control vegetation
and removal of accumulated silt.
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