Effective Storm Water Retention Systems

Storm Water BMP: Understanding the Wet Pond/Retention Basin

Retention is a stormwater BMP that takes advantage of the conventional storm water basin. This collects water from the surrounding area, preventing flooding, erosion, and other types of property damage. What makes this storm water BMP unique is the ability to slowly release water from the retention area – or storm water basin – at a controlled rate. Think of this as a miniature dam system that works to prevent streams and rivers from getting overwhelmed with floodwaters and eroded.

A retention basin is a storm water BMP that takes advantage of a higher orifice, which means that it will retain a permanent pool of water throughout the year. One of the benefits of retention basins over detention basins is the treatment that can be done to water. Using retention basins for stormwater BMP provides the opportunity to reduce pollutants in the water that could damage surrounding streams and areas.

Light maintenance is required to ensure that this storm water BMP works properly. For instance, it’s crucial to ensure that the orifice isn’t blocked or clogged with debris, as this could hinder water flow out of the basin.

However, while similar to detention, it’s important to note that retention basins are a storm water BMP that result in a permanent pool of water. Don’t worry – this isn’t like a random body of floodwater. Think of it as a man-made pond. Detention basins result in the waters eventually being empty and dried in-between each storm. An orifice is used to determine the water level, and water will drain out in a detention system so that it can refill the next time a line of thunderstorms come in.

Testimonial

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    Dean Clark General Manager, SECO, LLC, Chelton, WA

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    Joe Szabo Owner, J&R underground contractors, Milan, MI

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    Bob Dawson Owner, Dawson Company, Woodbridge, VA

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    Ed Shaw Shaw Construction, Reno, NV

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    Erik Gervais PE, Constructions GFL, Brossard, QC

  • The Loudon One project in Ashburn, VA

    “I also like that it can be cleaned by air vacuuming via inspection /cleanout ports instead of using water. Anytime you have to clean something with water, then you have to have a truck that collects the water and the sediments in it. Depending on where you can dump that, it can get much more costly as opposed to going out with a vacuum truck.”

    Steve Pandish Director of Water Resources for the engineering firm of William H. Gordon Associates in Chantilly, Virginia

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    Dr. Paul Mankiewicz hydrologist and consultant to the City of New York on storm water and related issues and executive director of the not-for-profit Gaia Institute in the Bronx, NY

  • Double-stacked system in Tukwilla, WA

    “It was easy. There were no difficulties once the owner decided on the StormChamber system. The project is holding up to heavy traffic, pump tracks, and cranes.”

    Tom Radice Abbot Construction

  • Charles-Lemoyne Hospital, Greenfield Park, Quebec

    "We were amazed by the simplicity of this system and have appreciated the support from the Soleno team during the entire project. We are already looking forward to designing another project using the StormChamber!"

    Érik Gervais, P. Eng Const. GFL, Brossard, Quebec
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