Stormwater runoff is a significant source of water pollution, carrying various pollutants from urban areas into natural water bodies. Most stormwater treatment efforts have focused on the capture of total suspended solids. Still, significant pollutant loads can be attributed to dissolved pollutants, such as heavy metals, nutrients, and organic compounds, which can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems and public health.

Bioretention has been the principal form of Low-Impact Development (LID) used to slow, treat, retain and infiltrate stormwater runoff, mimicking a site's natural, pre-development hydrology. One aspect of bioretention that has some scientists and regulators concerned is the phenomenon known as nutrient leaching. Nutrient leaching occurs when the bioretention media, which often contains compost, breaks down and releases phosphorus to downstream receiving waters.

Since its inception in 1996, The International Stormwater BMP Database  has been archiving performance, design, and cost data for stormwater treatment best

The International Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) Database project website (http://bmpdatabase.org) features a database that includes over 600 BMP

At about 2.5% of the total water volume on the planet, we’ve always had roughly the same amount of freshwater.  Unfortunately, it seems that, at the local