SYSTEM FOR MANAGING RUNOFF WATER
Disclosed in this specification is a system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water. In one embodiment, water flows from a sedimentation basin and into plurality of bioretention cells, each extended at an angle relative to the sedimentation basin. Overflow water flows from the plurality of biorention cells into an elongated filter. In another embodiment, a system for reducing run off from an elevated road is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure with a sedimentation basin and a biofiltration basin.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/685,676 (filed Mar. 22, 2012) which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates, in one embodiment, to a system for managing water from an urban area, including runoff water from a road.
BACKGROUNDAs combustion vehicles are operated, a wide variety of emissions are produced. Some of these emissions accumulate on the surface of roads. During a subsequent rainstorm, these emissions are washed into a nearby drain. Ultimately, these emissions are introduced into a nearby body of water, thereby contaminating the water. An improved method of managing runoff water is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDisclosed in this specification is a system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water. In one embodiment, water flows from a sedimentation basin and into plurality of bioretention cells, each extended at an angle relative to the sedimentation basin. Overflow water flows from the plurality of biorention cells into an elongated filter. In another embodiment, a system for reducing run off from an elevated road is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure with a sedimentation basin and a biofiltration basin.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water is disclosed. This system includes several elongated bioretention cells, each fluidly connected to an elongated sedimentation basin and fluidly connected to at least one adjacent elongated bioretention cell. The elongated sedimentation basin extends in direction from the bioretention cells. The system includes at least one elongated filter disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with at least one of the elongated bioretention cells for receiving overflow water therefrom. An overflow drain is provided leading from the elongated filter to the body of water.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a system for reducing runoff from an elevated road into a body of water is disclosed. The system includes a road elevated above a ground level. A sedimentation basin is disposed below the road and with a vertical pipe fluidly connecting the road to the sedimentation basin. A plurality of bioretention cells, each fluidly connected to the sedimentation basin is also provided. Each bioretention cell is fluidly connected to at least one adjacent bioretention cell.
The present invention is disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples set out herein illustrate several embodiments of the invention but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONReferring to
Referring to
During periods of more intense precipitation, the swale 210 may be filled to capacity. In such a situation, excess water passes to a elongated sedimentation basin 212. The elongated sedimentation basin 212 has a longitudinal axis that extends in a second direction 218. The first direction 206 and the second direction 218 are different. In the embodiment depicted in the figures, the first direction 206 and the second direction 218 are orthogonal. Due to the presence of the elongated sedimentation basin 212 the water path 204 changes to flow in the second direction 212 along the longitudinal axis of the elongated sedimentation basin 212. In one embodiment the elongated sedimentation basin 212 is an enclosed structure with rigid walls. The rigid walls may, for example, be formed from concrete or other suitable building material. In one embodiment, the sedimentation basin is filled with gravel or other porous material to provide water flow through the sedimentation basin. During periods of light to moderate precipitation water is absorbed by the swale 210 and the elongated sedimentation basin 212 therefore does not contact a body of water 290.
During periods of even more intense precipitation, the swale 210 and the elongated sedimentation basin 212 may be filled to capacity. In such a situation, excess water passes to a plurality of bioretention cells 214. In the exemplary embodiment, six cells are depicted but other configurations are also possible. Each of the bioretention cells 214 has a longitudinal axis that extends in the first direction 206. In the exemplary embodiment of
Should the precipitation be so intense that the plurality of bioretention cells 214 are filled to capacity, the plurality of bioretention cells 214 includes at least one biorentention cell that is in fluid communication with the elongated filter 216. The elongated filter 216 receives overflow from the plurality of biorention cells 214. For example, the first plurality of bioretention cells 214 comprises the third cell C that is adjacent to and in fluid communication with the elongated filter 216. In one embodiment, the elongated filter 216 is a sand filter. The elongated filter 216 helps resin the soil within the biorentention cells.
In situations where even the elongated filter 216 is filled to capacity, the water path 204 exits the system 200 and is released to the body of water 290. In one embodiment, a drain 220 is provided for this purpose. The drain may be above ground or below ground. In some embodiments, a pedestrian path 222 is provided above and parallel with the elongated sedimentation basin. Alternatively or additionally, a pedestrian path 224 may be provided above and parallel with the elongated filter. These pedestrian paths may be, for example, concrete or metal scaffold walkways.
Due to the modular nature of the cells, a wide variety of constructs may be formed by combining the cells in various patterns. Advantageously this permits a small number of easily-produced cells to be used for a large number of settings according to the individual geographic needs of a particular site.
Referring to
This disclosure provides improved systems for managing water that holds road runoff and prevents it release into a body of water. An improved above-ground system in shown in
An above-ground system is shown in
The sedimentation basin 824 may be provided by filling the modular unit 810 with gravel or other suitable course filtering material. This captures suspended sediments and debris. The biofiltration basin 822 may be provided by filling the modular unit 810 with remediative plants 816 to treat the toxins or other materials in the water. Likewise engineered soils 818 are provided that further treat the water. The water runoff 820 is retained within the enclosure 808 until such time as the water evaporates and/or is consumed by the remediative plants 816. Due to the enclosed nature of the system, sediment contained in the water, including the toxins, remain in the enclosure and are treated by the remediative plants 816 and/or engineered soils 818 over time, even after the water has evaporated. By using multiple modular units 810, the size, shape and configuration of the enclosure may be further adjusted to accommodate the landscape around a particular road.
An in-ground system is shown in
The selection of suitable vegetation and engineered soils are known to those skilled in the art. By way of illustration, and not limitation, the following plants are contemplated for use with the present invention: Carex Ice Dance; Acorus gramineus; Carex pendula; Solidago sempervirens; Iris spp.; Calamagrostis×actuflora “Overdam”; Panicum virgatum; Verbena hastate; Achillea millefolium; Athyrium filix-femina; Solidago hispida; Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof to adapt to particular situations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the claims not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the claims will include all embodiments falling within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water, the system comprising:
- a plurality of elongated bioretention cells extending in a first direction, each fluidly connected to an elongated sedimentation basin for receiving water therefrom, and each fluidly connected to at least one adjacent elongated bioretention cell;
- wherein the elongated sedimentation basin has a length that extends in a second direction, different from the first direction;
- at least one elongated filter disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with at least one of the elongated bioretention cells for receiving overflow water therefrom; and
- an overflow drain leading from the elongated filter to the body of water.
2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one swale disposed between urban area and the elongated sedimentation basin.
3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first direction and second direction are substantially perpendicular one another.
4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated bioretention cell that is in fluid communication with elongated filter is in fluid communication by a fluid conduit that is disposed in a top half of the elongated filter.
5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the overflow drain is in the bottom half of the elongated drain.
6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the elongated bioretention cells are each comprised of a modular unit selected from the group consisting of a five-sided modular unit with at least one hole; a four-sided modular unit and a three-sided modular unit.
7. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the elongated bioretention cells are each comprised of a modular unit selected from the group consisting of a four-sided modular unit and a three-sided modular unit.
8. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of bioretention cell comprises a combination of at least one four-sided modular unit and at least one three-sided modular unit.
9. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pedestrian path, above and parallel with, the elongated sedimentation basin.
10. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pedestrian path, above and parallel with, the elongated filter.
11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the elongated bioretention cells comprise vegetation and engineered soil.
12. A system for reducing runoff from an elevated road into a body of water, the system comprising:
- a road elevated above a ground level by a distance;
- a sedimentation basin disposed below the road;
- a vertical pipe fluidly connecting the road to the sedimentation basin;
- a plurality of bioretention cells, each fluidly connected to the sedimentation basin for receiving water therefrom, and each fluidly connected to at least one adjacent bioretention cell.
13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the distance is at least ten feet.
14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the sedimentation basin and the plurality of bioretention cells are disposed below the ground level.
15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein the sedimentation basin and the plurality of bioretention cells are both disposed above ground level and are within an enclosure.
16. The system as recited in claim 15, wherein the enclosure is formed from a plurality of vertical walls and a horizontal waterproof liner.
18. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the plurality of bioretention cells comprise vegetation and engineered soil, where the plurality of bioretention cells is sealed such that a water sample is held in the system, thereby providing the vegetation and engineered soil time to treat the water sample.
19. The system as recited in claim 16, wherein the vertical walls are Jersey barriers.
20. The system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a maintenance access disposed on top of the enclosure and within the enclosure's perimeter.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 22, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 14, 2013
Inventor: Susannah Drake (Brooklyn, NY)
Application Number: 13/849,252
International Classification: E03F 1/00 (20060101);