Bioswales and constructed wetlands are under increasing use to address pollutants in storm water runoff. However, many installations of these BMPs have failed or have not been as successful as hoped. This interactive online course provides a discussion of the concepts of biofilters. Most of the failures can be attributed to insufficient information being available or to bad or no expert input into the design, construction, vegetating, or maintenance of the bioswale or constructed wetland.
This course is intended to provide information on the design and use of biofilters so that contractors and designers will be able to make better decisions on the design, construction, implementation, and maintenance of these Best Management Practices.
At the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the function and benefits of bioswales and constructed wetlands in managing stormwater runoff.
- Identify common reasons for failure in biofilter installations and how to avoid them.
- Apply best practices in the design and construction of bioswales and constructed wetlands.
- Select appropriate vegetation and understand its role in biofilter performance.
- Develop a basic maintenance plan to ensure the long-term effectiveness of these Best Management Practices.