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Right-of-Way Bioswales

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What are they:

Right-of-way bioswales are green infrastructures designed to capture stormwater runoff and alleviate the water, therefore reducing the number of water that enters the sewer system, and reducing the chance of sewer flooding. Bioswales are typically vegetated or mulched and treat water as it flows into the system, while also reducing the amount of water that does enter the system. They are best placed along streets and parking lots as it is easiest for them to care for and capture the water in those locations.

Advantages/Benefits:

  • Decrease the amount of pollutants in the water before it reaches the sewer, cutting costs of water treatment
  • Water is absorbed by trees and plants through evapotranspiration
  • Remaining water evaporates after the rain stops
  • If the Bioswale reaches capacity, the water will flow out into the catch basin while following its normal pattern
  • The plants used in the Bioswales help add to the atmosphere while providing a positive impact in the area

Disadvantages/Challenges:

  • If the Bioswales are planted with grass, the grass need regular maintenance which can become costly
  • While maintaining the grass, other shrubs might be affected or accidentally cut down
  • Landscapers cannot fertilize the bioswales as it will add to the pollution in the water, making it more difficult to maintain the area, and harder for the plants to grow
  • It is burdensome to add in the bioswales as they cannot be kept and occasionally look unappealing to the general public, and many landscapers lack the knowledge of what plant species to use in the bioswales

How they work:

  1. The bottom of the bioswale is planted with stones, water-loving plants, and sloped sides
  2. The sides are planted with shrubs, trees, or low-grasses
  3. The top of the bioswale is planted with sandy, engineered soil
  4. As water comes in through the top, the water is absorbed by the shrubs through evapotranspiration, and the remaining through evaporation after the flooding has stopped
  5. The curb runoff is directed into the inlet, and in the case it overflows, the water is directed into the catch basin following its normal path



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