Constructed wetlands are shallow depressions that receive stormwater inputs for water quality treatment, are typically less than 1 foot deep, and possess variable microtopography to promote dense and diverse wetland cover.
Stormwater filters depend mainly on physical treatment mechanisms to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff, including gravitational settling in the sedimentation chamber, straining at the top of the filter bed, and filtration and adsorption onto the filter media.
Infiltration practices use temporary surface or underground storage to allow incoming stormwater runoff to exfiltrate into underlying soils, allowing for a very high runoff volume reduction capability.
Grass channels can provide a modest amount of runoff filtering and volume attenuation within the stormwater conveyance system resulting in the delivery of less runoff and pollutants than a traditional system of curb and gutter, storm drain inlets and pipes.
Many designers feel the rules for disconnection are frequently abused and are not very effective for compacted soils.
Grass channels can play a role in meeting runoff reduction targets in low density residential watersheds.
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