Water Quality Performance of a Batch Type Stormwater Detention Basin
by John Rob Middleton, MSE, Joseph F. Malina, PhD, and Michael E. Barrett, PhD
ABSTRACT
Extended detention basins are not used for stormwater quality management in many areas
of the US because they generally do not achieve the 80% removal of total suspended solids
required by many regulatory agencies. The objective of this research was modification of
the outlet controls of an existing basin to provide batch treatment of the urban stormwater
runoff through efficient control of the hydraulic residence time. A solar powered automated
valve and controller were developed and placed on the outlet of an extended detention basin
in Austin, Texas to increase the detention time beyond the times achievable using an orifice.
This system retained the diverted runoff in the basin for a variable preset period of time.
The quality of the influent and effluent of the basin was monitored for concentrations of
suspended solids, nutrients, chemical oxygen demand, and total and dissolved metals. The
suspended solids concentrations in the basin were controlled by adjusting the residence time
of the runoff in the basin to meet the required pollutant reduction. The automated valve
can also be used to regulate flow into the receiving waters to control peak flow.
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