2,253
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 1:
Line 1: − <h3>'''[[Take a look at a typical home. What opportunities exist to implement LID?]]'''</h3>+ + − + − + − − − 4) and landscape ideals identified during market research − (Chapter 5). − This chapter will provide examples of residential landscape − alternatives and LID retrofits that are options for a municipal − program. For a good “how to” resource for homeowner − LID installation, see TRCA’s Greening Your Grounds: A − Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects, − available for purchase at TRCA.on.ca. − For more technical information and design guidance on LID − practices, see the Low Impact Development Stormwater − Management Planning and Design Guide, available at bealeader.ca − <h3>'''[[Landscape alternatives]]'''</h3>+ − + − This allows for infiltration, filtration, and evapotranspiration − − designed to require little maintenance and less irrigation − − conservation tool. − Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize − their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principal − when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for − the right place”. Use of both native and non-native plants is − acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive − and do not require frequent watering.<br> − There are various landscape alternatives available, including: − * Fusion Landscaping® − * Xeriscaping − * Tree Clusters − <h4><span style="color:blue">Fusion Landscaping®</span></h4>+ − A great example of a landscape alternative is the Region of − Peel’s Fusion Landscaping® program. Fusion Landscaping® − combines the lush splendour of traditional gardens with − modern, eco-friendly plants. This program uses local market − research and social marketing to promote behavioural change, − address residents’ unique needs, and reduce outdoor water use. − <h4><span style="color:blue">Xeriscaping</span></h4>+ − Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening − practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering. − Synonymous with terms such as water-conservative, − xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial − water shortages. − With xeriscaping, plants are selected based on their ability to − survive with little water. Additional benefits include reducing − water bills, lower maintenance requirements, better plant − survival and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping − can be used alone or it can be combined with a larger − residential LID program. − <h4><span style="color:blue">Tree clusters</span></h4>+ − Tree clusters are another residential landscape alternative. − They provide some of the function of forested areas by − intercepting rainfall and allowing for evapotranspiration and − infiltration of stormwater runoff. − Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, − absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree − clusters require larger lot sizes and preferably no overhead − wires. They can be planted as a standalone feature or part of − a larger residential LID landscape. − <h3><span style="color:brown">'''Rain gardens'''</span></h3>+ − On the outside, rain gardens look like a typical garden.+ − However, their function is much greater than a normal garden. − Rain gardens are landscaped areas that include a surface − depression of approximately 150 mm (6 inches) that allows − runoff from residential property to collect and easily absorb − into the ground. Within the rain garden a special type of soil, − referred to as bioretention soil media, can be used to improve − the amount of water that gets absorbed by the garden and − infiltrated into the native soils. − Location is very important to a functioning rain garden. When − looking at potential locations, look for low areas where runoff − − Rain gardens are a great option for residential LID retrofits − because homeowners can customize the garden to suit their − desired style. They can be planted with a variety of vegetation − including shrubs, grasses and flowers. − A well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal − care which is a great marketing point for homeowners. − In the first two years, the plants will need watering to ensure − they become established. After this establishment period, the − garden should only need simple maitenance such as weeding. − <h3><span style="color:brown">'''Permeable pavement'''</span></h3>+ − Permeable pavement are surfaces that encourage infiltration.+ − They can be used in place of conventional asphalt or concrete − pavement. These alternatives contain pores, spaces or joints − that allow stormwater to pass through to a stone base where − it is infiltrated into the underlying native soil or temporarily − detained. Types of permeable pavement include: − * Pervious concrete − * Porous asphalt − * Permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP, or just permeable pavers) − Permeable pavement can be used for both driveways and − walkways. When infiltrating driveway runoff, confirm whether − your residential neighbourhood is in a wellhead protection − area. Driveway runoff should not be infiltrated if in a wellhead − protection area due to the risk of groundwater contamination. − Contact your local Conservation Authority for more information − on wellhead protection areas.<br> − Focus on aesthetic appeal when marketing permeable pavers − to homeowners. They come in a variety of colours and shapes, − and can be laid out to form patterns or designs that enhance − the landscape of residential properties.<br> − Permeable pavement may also appeal to homeowners − because it typically has a longer life span that traditional − asphalt. As well, light coloured pavers typically require less − winter maintenance. Water and snow generally seep through − the joints of the pavers before ice can form. This reduces the − amount of salt homeowners need to use on their driveways, − walkways or patios. − <h3><span style="color:brown">'''Soakaways and infiltration trenches'''</span></h3>+ − Soakaways, also known as infiltration galleries and dry wells,+ − are excavations in native soil that are filled with geotextile − fabric and clean granular stone. Soakaways are typically − designed with a perforated pipe inlet from a relatively clean − water source, such as a roof or pedestrian area. When − possible, soakaways should be installed in areas where native − soils allow for infiltration. If poorly draining soils are present, − an underdrain can be installed to remove standing water.<br> − Soakaways can be designed in many shapes and sizes. Larger − pits can be used on residential lots with lots of available − space.Where lot size is a constraint, a linear variation known − as an infiltration trench can be used. This technique may be − appropriate for sites where retrofit space is limited to long − strips between buildings or along property lines. − <h3><span style="color:brown">'''Rainwater harvesting'''</span></h3>+ − Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing − rainwater for future use. Harvested water can be used for a − variety of indoor and outdoor non-potable uses with minimal − treatment. Rainwater harvesting provides an easy and lowcost − option for homeowners to reduce the volume of runoff − conveyed from their properties to the municipal storm sewer − system. − <h4><span style="color:blue">Rainwater harvesting systems</span></h4>+ − Rainwater harvesting systems collect rainwater from roof+ − runoff and store it until it is needed. These systems are typically+ − used for irrigation, however with additional equipment and+ − proper treatment this water can be used for indoor purposes+ − like toilet flushing and laundry. By using rainwater around − the home residents can reduce their water bills while also reducing the amount of stormwater runoff entering the storm − sewer system. − Rainwater storage tanks come in a variety of dimensions and − shapes to accommodate both the size and desired aesthetics − of residential properties. They can fit unobtrusively against the − home, buried underground, or even placed below a deck. + + + − <h4><span style="color:blue">Rain barrels</span></h4>+ − + − + − Rain barrels are installed at the outlet of downspouts and+ − + − + − + − + − can be decorated to create garden art.+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
LID opportunities on residential land (view source)
Revision as of 14:19, 20 August 2025
, 3 months agono edit summary
[[File:House_Figure_1.png|600px|thumb|Residential LID options]]
{{TOClimit|2}}
On residential lands, hard surfaces such as the roof, patio,
==Overview==
walkways and driveways can all be targeted to collect, treat,
On residential lands, hard surfaces such as roofs, patios, walkways and driveways can all be targeted to collect, treat, and infiltrate runoff. The practices you choose will vary depending on neighbourhood and [[Site conditions: Residential|site constraints]] and [[Planting design|landscape ideals]].
and infiltrate runoff. The practices you choose will vary
depending on neighbourhood and site constraints (Chapter
==Landscape alternatives==
Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage.
Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage, with the intention of increasing [[infiltration]], filtration, and [[evapotranspiration]] of rainfall and runoff. Well-designed landscape alternatives require little maintenance and less irrigation after establishment than [[turf]].
of rainfall and runoff. Landscape alternatives can be
after establishment than sod lawns. They are a great water
Healthy, uncompacted soil provides important stormwater management functions including infiltration and temporary storage of runoff, filtration of suspended sediments, adsorption and biological decomposition of pollutants and moderation of peak stream flows and temperatures. Healthy soils also support vigorous [[plants|plant]] growth that intercepts rainfall, returning much of it to the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration. Standard construction practices involve removing and stockpiling topsoil during clearing and grading, compacting subsoil and replacing a shallow layer of the stockpiled site topsoil, typically 10 to 15 cm deep, on top of the compacted subsoil at the end of [[construction]]. This typically produces a poor quality growing environment that requires excessive irrigation and fertilizer applications to establish plantings, raising the potential for these pervious areas to be a source of contaminated runoff during storm events.
A simple, inexpensive lot level stormwater management practice is the application of a deeper than standard layer of high quality topsoil in pervious landscaped areas, especially those that will receive roof runoff from downspouts. This practice is of particular interest because at the end of construction work there is always a surplus of topsoil from clearing and grading that otherwise must be hauled away at a cost to the developer. The practice of adjusting grading of landscaped areas, scarifying the subsoil to reverse compaction, and applying a deeper layer of organic topsoil has the potential to reduce costs associated with having to haul it away. It also has the potential to absorb, infiltrate and evapotranspire a greater amount of stormwater than standard landscaping practices, thereby providing runoff reduction benefits. Amending poor quality topsoil or compacted subsoil with compost increases moisture and pollutant retention capacity and permeability, and reduces bulk density and erosivity. In addition, this practice also provides a better growing environment for grass, shrub and tree plantings, requiring less irrigation and fertilizer to become established than plantings in more shallow, unimproved topsoil overlying compacted subsoil.
Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principle when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for the right place”. Using both native and non-native plants is acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive and do not require frequent watering. Various landscape alternatives are available, including:
===Xeriscaping===
Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering by selecting plants based on their ability to survive with little water. Synonymous with water conservation, xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial water shortages. Additional benefits include reducing water bills, lowering maintenance requirements, and better plant survival rates and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping can be used on a lot-by-lot basis or in combination with larger residential LID programs. The Region of Peel’s [http://www.peelregion.ca/watersmartpeel/residents/fusion-landscaping/index.htm Fusion Landscaping® program] is an example of this.
can be easily be directed into the garden.
===Tree Clusters===
[[Trees| Tree]] clusters are another residential landscape alternative. Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree clusters require larger lot sizes, preferably with no overhead wires. They can be planted as standalone features or as part of a larger residential LID landscape.
===Topsoil===
STEP have a guide to amending and improving topsoil to improve the water retention capacity and promote healthy vegetation. I can be found [https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/home/urban-runoff-green-infrastructure/healthy-soils/preserving-and-restoring-healthy-soil-best-practices-for-urban-construction/ here] on our main website.
{{Clickable button|[https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2017/08/Topsoil-and-Soil-Amendment-Calculator-v2.0.xltx Topsoil and Soil Amendment Calculator Spreadsheet Tool, V 2.0]}}
===Materials===
*[[Topsoil]]
*[[Sand]]
*[[Compost]]
*[[Organic matter]]
==Rain gardens==
[[File:Example10.jpg|thumb|Recently installed [[rain garden]] in vibrant contrast with turf neighbouring yard.]]
'''[[Rain Gardens]]'''
==Permeable Pavements==
While they provide similar functions to rainwater harvesting
[[File:Example12.jpg|thumb|permeable paving driveway]]
systems, rain barrels have much more limited storage space.
Focus on aesthetic appeal when marketing permeable pavers to homeowners. They come in a variety of colours and shapes, and can be laid out to form patterns or designs that enhance the aesthetics of residential properties.
intercept water draining down roofs. Water collected in rain barrels can be used for irrigation.
'''[[Permeable pavements]]'''
Rain barrels come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles.
Residents can choose a style of rain barrel that is best suited
==Soakaways and Infiltration Trenches==
to their home and personal tastes. For example, rain barrels
Soakaways, also known as [[infiltration chambers]] or dry wells, are excavations in native soil that are filled with clean granular aggregates. Soakaways are typically designed with a [[pipes|perforated pipe]] inlet from a relatively clean water source, such as a roof tops or pedestrian area.
When possible, install soakaways in areas where native soils allow for infiltration. If poorly draining soils are present, an [[underdrain]] can be installed to remove standing water.
Where lot size is a constraint, a linear variation known as [[infiltration trenches]] can be used. This technique may be appropriate for sites where retrofit space is limited to long strips between buildings or along property lines.
==Rainwater Harvesting==
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater for future use. Harvested water can be used for a variety of non-potable indoor and outdoor uses with minimal treatment. Rainwater harvesting provides an easy, low-cost option for homeowners to reduce the volume of runoff conveyed from their properties to the municipal storm sewer system.
===Rainwater harvesting systems===
[[Rainwater harvesting]] systems collect rainwater from roof runoff and store it until it is needed. These systems are often used for irrigation, but with additional equipment and proper treatment, this water can be used for flushing toilets. By using rainwater around the home, residents can reduce their water bills while also reducing the amount of stormwater runoff entering the storm sewer system.
Rainwater storage tanks come in a variety of dimensions and shapes to accommodate both the size and desired aesthetics of residential properties. Fro four season use, they are usually placed in the basement or buried underground.
===Rain Barrels===
While they provide similar functions to rainwater harvesting systems, [[rain barrels]] have limited storage space and seasonal function. They are installed at the outlet of downspouts and intercept water draining down roofs for later use in irrigation. Rain barrels come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. Residents can choose a style of rain barrel best suited to their home and personal tastes.
[[category:residential]]
[[Category:planning]]