LID Case Studies

Overview

This page is a repository of recent case studies that the Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program (STEP) have conducted over the past two decades or so. Keep your eye on this page as new projects wrap up and technical briefs or reports are developed they will be added to this page.

Each of the documents are separated by the LID BMP feature that was studied / monitored or built, several of these documents will appear several times throughout this page as many have information on multiple LIDs' performance.

Bioretention

This report by TRCA found several stormwater management benefits by incorporating several LID principles Bioretention, Infiltration trenches/Infiltration chambers, and Enhanced grass swales into sustainable functional design in an underutilized space, now named the 'Bentway' under Toronto's Gardiner Expressway. This allowed for dual functioning of a public recreational area and suitable stormwater management. Read more by clicking the button above

This report by CVC highlights the benefits of a multi-LID retrofit on a mixed-use street with residential homes and an education centre on Elm Drive in Mississauga. The retrofit included, a Permeable pavement sidewalk and parking layby along with six Bioretention cells connected with an underdrain. The site now provides stormwater treatment by improving the quality of stormwater discharged (thermal mitigation, reductionm in runoff volume to storm sewers, etc.) to Cooksville Creek. Read more by clicking the button above.

Read more about *Bioretention here.

Sustainable Technologies Evaluation Program

Low Impact Development. A stormwater management strategy that seeks to mitigate the impacts of increased urban runoff and stormwater pollution by managing it as close to its source as possible. It comprises a set of site design approaches and small scale stormwater management practices that promote the use of natural systems for infiltration and evapotranspiration, and rainwater harvesting.

Best management practice. State of the art methods or techniques used to manage the quantity and improve the quality of wet weather flow. BMPs include: source, conveyance and end-of-pipe controls.

A shallow excavated surface depression containing prepared filter media, mulch, and planted with selected vegetation.

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

Credit Valley Conservation

The portion of water precipitated onto a catchment area, which then flows as surface discharge from the catchment area past a specified point.

Water from rain, snow melt, or irrigation that flows over the land surface.