City Offices Stormwater Improvement Project

Bioretention Facility treating stormwater runoff from the adjacent parking lot.
Bioretention Facility treating stormwater runoff from the adjacent parking lot.

Problem

When the South Burlington City Offices property was constructed the site plan did not contain significant measures to manage stormwater runoff. As a result, runoff from this property flows untreated to Potash Brook.  The property also has an expired State of Vermont stormwater permit.  Future permit requirements will likely require installation of stormwater treatment practices.

Description

The City worked with an engineer to create an improved plan for stormwater management on the City Offices property.  The project included pipe and drainage structure replacement, construction of new drainage swales, construction of a bioretention area, and construction of a large underground infiltration area.

Benefit

Stormwater runoff generated at the City Offices site is directed to one of the new stormwater treatment practices. The treatment system removes sediment and other pollutants before they leave the site. In addition, these stormwater treatment practices infiltrate excess volumes of stormwater runoff thereby recharging groundwater supplies. Infiltrating stormwater runoff reduces the volume of water reaching streams during a storm, prevents erosion of stream banks, and reduces the risk of downstream flooding.

Best Management Practices

Stormwater infiltration, bioretention area, stormwater treatment swale, and pipe replacement.

Timeline

2011-2014

Total Project Value

$235,500

Funding Sources

South Burlington Stormwater Utility

Photos

IMG_2217
Construction of the Bioretention Facility, placing an engineered compost soil media on top of an underdrain stone choker layer.
Fully planted Bioretention Facility, complete with Red Maples, Redosier Dogwoods, Winterberry, Cardinal Flowers, Blue Flags, and Cutleaf Coneflowers.
Fully planted Bioretention Facility, complete with Red Maples, Redosier Dogwoods, Winterberry, Cardinal Flowers, Blue Flags, and Cutleaf Coneflowers.

Project Plans

City Offices Stormwater Improvement Project Plans (PDF, 6.6 MB)

 

Last Updated: 6/2015