Stormwater Management at EPA Headquarters Low Impact Development (LID) practices help retain as much stormwater as possible on the land. EPA is denlbmtrating Several UDtechniques a tits Washington, BC Headquarters. The Problem with Stormwater Runoff In developed areas, roofs, pavement, and other impervi- ous surfaces prevent stormwater from soaking into the ground. Instead, it runs over the land surface and directly into small tributaries and larger streams. Unable to handle the increased water volume and flow, these waterbodies often experience eroded banks, incised channels, loss of habitat and aquatic life, and increased flooding and prop- erty damage. In addition, stormwater carries a broad mix of toxic chemicals, bacteria, sediments, fertilizers, oil and grease to nearby waterbodies. Retaining as much stormwater as possible: on the land— rather than letting it run into storm drains—can help keep harmful flows and pollutants out of our streams and rivers. Low impact development (LID) is one crucial tool used to deal with the stormwater runoff problem. Reducing Runoff with Low Impact Development LID is development that results in low impacts on natural resources. This is done by using planning and designs that preserve green space and manage stormwater to minimize increases in flow and pollutants. LID techniques include conservation of forests and sensitive waters, water reuse, and stormwater controls that detain and retain runoff. Stormwater runoff from roads, parking bts, and other impervious surfaces Hows intostorm drains, which lead to nearby waterbodies-. A bioMention cell, also called a rain garden, .is one of the LID practices being demonstrated at EPA Headquarters. ------- Practices at EPA Headquarters EPA promotes the use of LID techniques in several of its water pollution prevention programs. While LID techniques reduce the amount of pollution entering the nation's waterways, they are still not widely used. To encourage more government agencies and de- velopers to use LID, EPA is demonstrating several LID techniques at the Agency's Headquarters in Washington, DC. The demonstra- tion project illustrates what LID practices can accomplish and shows their visual appeal. The project involves: LID and other stormwater management practices at three sites: Ariel Rios South Courtyard, Constitution Avenue, and West Building Parking Garage. Stormwater Management Practices at EPA Headquarters Location Practice Environmental Benefits Ariel Rios South ! Constitution Avenue j West Courtyard Building Bioretention cells Allow stormwater to filter into ¦ ¦ Porous concrete the ground rather than wash off the surface and into storm ¦ Alternative pavers drains and combined sewers Collect and store stormwater ¦ Cisterns for later use in landscape irrigation ¦ ¦ Sustainable planting Take up stormwater, provide wildlife habitat ¦ ¦ Recycled materials Reduce solid waste and reliance on raw materials ¦ Recycled granite curb used as a bench at the Ariel Rios South Courtyard; permeable pavers used next to bench and permeable Concrete used on pathway. Sustainable plantings at the Ariel Rios South Courtyard. Information about the vegetation is provided in a guide available at www.epa.fpv/gteeningepalstormwater/ats_plantplan.htm. Numbered signs made from recycled farm implements direct visitors to the guide. ------- Project Partners This demonstration project is a collaborative effort involving vari- ous partners. EPA's Office of Water provided conceptual designs for the LID practices being demonstrated. The Facilities Manage- ment Division of EPA's Office of Administration and Resources Management oversaw their construction. The General Services Administration (GSA) designed and maintains the landscape, including trees and plants. Others parties joined as this project evolved, including the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the National Capital Planning Commission, the DC Water and Sewer Authority, and a variety of contractors. Viewing the Demonstration Project If you have questions or are interested in a tour of any portion of the demonstration project, please contact LIDHQ@epa.gov. GSA Porous concrete walkway and rain garden at Ariel Rios South Courtyard. For More Information: ii EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds— Demonstration Project: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/storinwater_hq ¦ EPA Office of Water—Low Impact Development: www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid ¦ EPA Facilities—Greening EPA: wrww.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater/index.htm ¦ EPA National Menu of Stormwater Best Management Practices www.epa.gov/npdes/menuofTjmps ¦ Low Impact Development Center: wrww.lowimpactdevelopment.org U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (4503T) 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, DC 20460 EPA841-F-06-005 November 2006 ------- Ariel Rios South Courtyard Features: ¦ 'Iwo bioretention cells (also called rain gardens) ¦ 564 sq. ft. of permeable concrete and permeable pavers ¦ One 1128-gallon cistern for storm water collection and landscape irrigation ¦ Site-appropriate and/or native vegetation ¦ Signage made from recycled farms tools ¦ Bench made from an historic granite curb ¦ Cistern artwork made from recycled glass Porous pavement at Ariel Rios ,South Courtyard. plastic .Bioretention Runnel collecting water for cistern Bench Water View of Ariel Rios South Courtyard from east wing of EPA Headquarters, Constitution Avenue Features: ¦ Four bioretention cells ¦ High efficiency irrigation using collected stormwater Drawing of Ariel Rios South G&urtyard demonstration site highlighting various LID and other demonstration practices (heft). West Building Parking Garage Features: ¦ Six 1000-gallon cisterns for rooftop stormwater collection ¦ Irrigation system delivers collected stormwater to Constitution Avenue bioretention cells Bioretention ef $' in front of EPA Headquarters West Building on Comtitution Avenue. collecting permeable concrete Bioretention cell with water tolerant plantings Low voltage path High efficiency irrigation system using cistern water Cistern with recyled glass cover, artwork and low voltage, ftoer optic lighting on timer flowmeters; control box made of recycled lumber maintenance and low water use plantings Recycled farm tool plant signs cefl with water tolerant plantings made with permeable pavers made from recycled granite coping ------- |