Storm Water Detention Basin Nutrient Removal Efficiency

Abstract

Water quality studies were conducted at Springhill subdivision in suburban Lake Worth, Florida, for the purpose of assessing the nutrient removal efficiency of a combination grassed swale/wet detention storm water management system. Routine baseline water quality data were collected on a biweekly basis during the period June 1985 through January 1986. Six discrete storm events were monitored for water quality and quantity trends during this period. Nutrient mass loading calculations for four of the six events indicate surface water treatment efficiency estimations for total suspended solids (0%), total phosphorus (64%), orthophosphorus (98%), nitrite + nitrate nitrogen (98%), and total Kjeldahl nitrogen (77%). These findings were collated with previous study results appearing in the literature. Comparisons indicate that Springhill nutrient removal efficiencies exceeded previous regional and national study findings.