WATER QUALITY PONDS
Although a variety of stormwater management practices have been developed, the use of water quality ponds is by far the most common practice employed to address non-point source pollution (NPS) and flooding. Water quality ponds were one of the first recommended stormwater management practices by federal, state, and local agencies to reduce flooding potential. Water quality ponds are a common water feature and are an accepted practice by stormwater engineers, developers, designers, and permitting agencies for controlling stormwater runoff. Yet relatively little is known about the collective role of these stormwater control measures (SCMs) in addressing NPS pollution.
Water quality ponds were originally intended to manage localized flooding but are now designed to address water-quality concerns for receiving waters, including the removal of pollutants (nutrients, bacteria, inorganic and organic contaminants, and suspended sediment). In addition, water quality ponds are often used to enhance aesthetics, increase residential property value, and to provide wildlife habitat even where their intent was strictly for stormwater management. The excavation of water quality ponds also provides a source of fill material for site construction in low-lying coastal areas that would otherwise raise development costs.
Water quality ponds that have been properly planted with locally-sourced native wetland species result in increased water quality, aesthetic value and biodiversity. HARP has extensive experience in the design, construction, planting, and maintenance of water quality ponds throughout the southeast.