The use of low impact development (LID) has been studied in an increasing number of studies, and the available database has shown to reduce runoff volume and total pollution loads. However, high variability of rainfall events still brings challenges to accurately characterizing stormwater quality at any given location, depending on many factors. Thus, characterization of reduction of pollution concentrations over time by the LID practice requires continual stormwater monitoring at the site. Additionally, only a few studies evaluate the BMPs’ performance that may be sequentially connected into a treatment train system within the same catchment area. This study evaluates the performance of LID treatment train, which comprises of three BMPs operated in series. Specifically, this work assesses the efficiency of using biochar and activated carbon (Rembind) filter media after a bioretention cell to remove heavy metals. A total of six rainfall events of various sampling duration and intensity were monitored over a period of one year, and the collected composites were analyzed for the various water quality parameters. Results indicate that treatment train successfully removes more than 84% of TSS. Rembind did not significantly contribute to the removal of analyzed constituents, whereas biochar showed greater removal efficiency of heavy metals after the treatment. This study also used the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to model the hydraulic and water quality performance of the treatment train system. The resulted SWMM model represents hydraulic conditions of the system and can be used to further assess the treatment efficiency of the LID treatment train.
.jpg "Meghna Babbar-Sebens, Ph.D. photo")