Organic BMPs Used for Storm Water Management

Recent university research has shown that a compost system can reduce storm runoff, sediment and nutrient loss, and increase vegetation and soil quality parameters relative to industry standard best management practices. State departments of transportation and construction companies have reported positive results in using compost as a filter media within filter socks. Compost used as a sediment retention or storm water filtration device has shown empirical success in perimeter control on construction sites, check dams in channels, channel protection, stormwater inlet and outlet protection, streambank stabilization, sediment pond alternative, slope stabilization, temporary and permanent vegetation establishment, flood control, green roof growing media, stormwater gardens, bioretention ponds, and hydrocarbon filtration of runoff. Independent laboratory testing evaluated compost filter media for sediment, nutrient, and hydrocarbon removal from storm water runoff on a 3:1 slope. Total solids and petroleum hydrocarbon reduction from filtration of storm runoff were consistently over 95%. Reduction in nitrate nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations from storm runoff were observed. Additionally, increased reduction of total suspended solids and turbidity, in addition to consistently high removal percentages of petroleum hydrocarbons over three consecutive storm runoff events were also reported.