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Center for Advancing Research in Transportation Emissions, Energy, and Health (CARTEEH)

A USDOT University Transportation Center

Filtration and Infiltration Systems

Stormwater filtration and infiltration are two sediment control processes to manage surface runoff. Filtration systems are designed to remove suspended sediments by passing water through porous media filters—often consisting of sand, soil, or gravel—or vegetative filters like grassed swales.1,2,3 These systems have widespread applicability; however, filtration systems are less effective when capturing finer solids such as highway runoff pollutants.4 Infiltration systems work by temporarily storing runoff, before allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.4 Stormwater infiltration allows for pollutant removal, slows runoff velocity, and decreases the volume of runoff.5,6 Examples of infiltration designs include detention basins, underground infiltration systems, permeable pavements, and infiltration trenches.7

Considering this strategy will help achieve the goal of the following objectives

  • Less Contamination
  • Less Emissions
  • Less Traffic Noise
  • Connectivity and Inclusion
  • Healthy Destinations
  • Less Traffic Violence
  • Active Transportation
  • Green Space

Transportation lifecycle phases

This strategy is associated with the following transportation lifecycle phases:

  • Construction
  • End of Life
  • Maintenance
  • Material Selection
  • Operations
  • Policy and Planning
  • Project Development

Who's involved

  • Drainage engineers
  • MPOs
  • Private developers

Stormwater filtration and infiltration are two sediment control processes to manage surface runoff. Filtration systems are designed to remove suspended sediments by passing water through porous media filters—often consisting of sand, soil, or gravel—or vegetative filters like grassed swales.1,2,3 These systems have widespread applicability; however, filtration systems are less effective when capturing finer solids such as highway runoff pollutants.4

Infiltration systems work by temporarily storing runoff, before allowing it to infiltrate into the ground.4 Stormwater infiltration allows for pollutant removal, slows runoff velocity, and decreases the volume of runoff.5,6 Examples of infiltration designs include detention basins, underground infiltration systems, permeable pavements, and infiltration trenches.7

How it Helps

Both filtration and infiltration systems can have positive effects on runoff management and protect water quality by removing certain types of harmful substances that accumulate on roadways and other areas. Infiltration systems are an example of green infrastructure designs that can store and reduce runoff, decrease pollutant concentrations, improve aquatic habitat, and increase aesthetics.7

Implementing

Combination of Measures:

Infiltration systems may require additional stormwater management solutions to assist in runoff storage and sediment removal.5 Developers and planners should communicate with engineers and other drainage and waste removal experts before implementing infiltration systems in a community.

Design Considerations:

There are certain factors that need to be assessed before filtration or infiltration systems can be implemented to determine compatibility with the surrounding environment, including existing infrastructure, soil types, runoff flow patterns and volume, and other characteristics.

Examples

1) Surfside Beach, South Carolina’s Stormwater Mitigation Solutions

Surfside Beach has implemented several stormwater mitigation solutions, including using infiltration pipe and deep sump catch basins. The town has utilized other approaches, including public education and street sweeping, to greatly improve their water quality.

https://www.stormh2o.com/bmps/article/13033475/stormwater-filtration-systems

1. Erickson, A. J., et al. (2010). Stormwater Treatment: Assessment and Maintenance—Filtration Practices. University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. https://stormwaterbook.safl.umn.edu/filtration-practices
2. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2022). Minnesota Stormwater Manual: Overview for filtration. https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Overview_for_filtration
3. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2022). Minnesota Stormwater Manual: Types of filtration. https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Types_of_filtration
4. Nieber, J. L., et al. (2010). Stormwater Treatment: Assessment and Maintenance—Infiltration Practices. University of Minnesota, St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. https://stormwaterbook.safl.umn.edu/infiltration-practices
5. Maestri, B., et al. Managing Pollution from Highway Storm Water Runoff. Transportation Research Record 1166. https://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1988/1166/1166-003.pdf
6. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2023). Minnesota Stormwater Manual: Overview of stormwater infiltration. https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Overview_of_stormwater_infiltration
7. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. (2023). Minnesota Stormwater Manual: BMPs for stormwater infiltration. https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/BMPs_for_stormwater_infiltration