Green Solutions

Low Impact Development
Low Impact Development (LID) is a new approach to managing stormwater runoff on-site. The basic principle is to model after nature; manage rainfall at the source using uniformly distributed, decentralized, microscale controls. The goal of LID is to mimic a site’s predevelopment hydrology by utilizing various Integrated Management Practices (IMPs) that infiltrate, store, evaporate and detain runoff close to the source.

LID

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Many of CONTECH’s products can be engineered to meet LID goals and function as IMPs in an LID design.

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A New Approach to Managing Stormwater: LID Design vs. Conventional Design
Conventional stormwater management practices seek to remove runoff from a site as quickly as possible. Urban runoff is collected, conveyed, treated and then discharged off-site. LID takes a more wholistic approach; rainfall is managed close to the source with IMPs dispersed uniformly throughout the site. LID site design emphasizes conserving natural areas and minimizing impacts to the natural environment.
LID Stormwater Management Design
  • Stormwater is a resource
  • Maintain site's natural hydrology
  • Manage runoff close to the source
  • Small, decentralized IMPs
  • Incorporated in the early site planning and inventory stage
Conventional Stormwater Management Design
  • Stormwater is a liability
  • Collect, convey, treat and discharge runnoff off-site
  • End of pipe treatment
  • Large, centralized BMPs
  • Incorporated near the end of the site design process
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