Volume control BMPs are intended to maintain existing hydrologic
conditions for small storm events by promoting groundwater recharge
and/or evapotranspiration as described in this section. Runoff volume
controls shall be implemented using the Design Storm Method described
in Subsection A below and in the City GI Design Manual, or through
continuous modeling approaches or other means as described in the
BMP Manual, or from other applicable sources acceptable to the City.
Small projects may use the method described in Subsection B to design
volume control BMPs. All facilities should be designed and constructed
in accordance with the City GI Design Manual.
A. The Design Storm Method is applicable to any size of regulated activity
that does not meet the definition of "small project" or "very small
project."
(1)
The Design Storm Method requires detailed modeling based on
site conditions to demonstrate that the project will not increase
the postdevelopment total runoff volume for all storms equal to or
less than the two-year, twenty-four-hour storm event. At least the
first 1 1/4 (1.25) inches of runoff from new impervious surfaces
shall also be permanently removed from the runoff flow, that is, it
shall not be released into the surface waters of the commonwealth
or combined sewer system. Removal options include reuse, evaporation,
transpiration and infiltration.
(a)
Small impervious areas that are difficult and/or impractical
to manage directly may be compensated for by managing an equivalent
area from unmanaged/unregulated existing impervious areas on the same
site. If no such compensation is feasible, in whole or in part, an
area that is less than 500 square feet and less than 10% of the total
new impervious area may be exempted.
(2)
For modeling purposes when demonstrating that the total runoff
volume will not increase:
(a)
Existing (predevelopment) non-forested pervious areas must be
considered meadow in good condition in the hydrologic soils group
B soils.
(b)
When the existing project site contains impervious area, 20%
of existing impervious area to be disturbed shall be considered meadow
in good condition in the model for existing conditions, except for
repair, reconstruction or restoration of public roadways, or repair,
reconstruction or restoration of rail lines, or construction, repair,
reconstruction, or restoration of utility infrastructure when the
site will be returned to existing condition.
B. Volume control for small projects. At least the first 1 1/4
(1.25) inches of runoff from new impervious surfaces or an equivalent
volume from an unmanaged/unregulated impervious area on the same site
shall be permanently removed from the runoff flow, that is, it shall
not be released into the surface waters of the commonwealth or combined
sewer system. Removal options include reuse, evaporation, transpiration
and infiltration.
C. If required by the Director, a detailed geologic evaluation of the development site shall be performed in areas of carbonate geology to determine the design parameters of recharge facilities. A report shall be prepared in accordance with §
260-405A of this chapter. When existing karst or poor soil conditions, as determined by the Director, do not allow for the installation of infiltration BMPs, the design volume of stormwater runoff shall be kept out of the combined sewer system and detained on site per the City GI Design Manual guidance on slow-release systems.
D. Unless otherwise noted in the City GI Design Manual, storage facilities
shall completely drain the volume control storage over a period of
time not less than 24 hours and not more than 72 hours from the end
of the design storm. Any designed infiltration at such facilities
is exempt from the minimum twenty-four-hour standard, that is, may
infiltrate in a shorter period of time, provided that none of this
water will be discharged into waters of the commonwealth or combined
sewer system.
E. Any portion of the volume control storage that meets the following
criteria may also be used as rate control storage;
(1)
Volume control storage that depends on infiltration is designed according to the infiltration standards in §§
260-301 and
260-302.
(2)
The volume control storage that has been dewatered and is available
within 24 hours from the end of the design storm may be used for rate
control. The volume control storage dewatering rate shall be calculated
based on the stabilized infiltration rate, the evapotranspiration
rate and/or as indicated in the City GI Design Manual.
Rate control for large storms, up to the 100-year event, is
essential to protect against immediate downstream erosion and flooding.
A. Match predevelopment hydrograph. Applicants shall provide infiltration facilities or utilize other techniques which will allow the postdevelopment 100-year hydrograph to match the predevelopment 100-year hydrograph, along all parts of the hydrograph, for the development site. To match the predevelopment hydrograph, the postdevelopment peak rate must be less than or equal to the predevelopment peak rate, and the postdevelopment runoff volume must be less than or equal to the predevelopment volume for the same storm event. A shift in hydrograph peak time of up to six minutes and a rate variation of up to 5% at a given time may be allowable to account for the timing effect of BMPs used to manage the peak rate and runoff volume. "Volume control" volumes as given in §
260-303 above may be used as part of this option.
B. Where the predevelopment hydrograph cannot be matched, one of the
following shall apply:
(1)
Postdevelopment rate of runoff from any regulated activity within
the Little Conestoga Creek Watershed or Mill Creek Watershed shall
not exceed 50% of the peak rates of runoff prior to development for
all design storms unless the preexisting hydrograph is not exceeded
at all points in time.
(2)
For areas covered by the release rate map in
Appendix D: For the two-, ten-, twenty-five-, fifty-, and 100-year
storm events,* the postdevelopment peak discharge rates will follow
the applicable release rate map.
* A twenty-four-hour NOAA Type C storm or an IDF Curve Rational
Method storm. See Table III-1.
C. Normally dry, open-top storage facilities shall completely drain
the rate control storage over a period of time greater than or equal
to 24 hours but no more than 72 hours from the peak 100-year water
surface design elevation.
D. A variety of BMPs should be employed and tailored to suit the development
site. Nonstructural BMPs and green infrastructure are preferred. The
following is a partial listing of BMPs which can be utilized in SWM
systems for rate control where appropriate:
(1)
Decreased impervious surface coverage.
(3)
Grassed channels and vegetated strips.
(4)
Bio-retention areas (rain gardens).
(5)
Concrete lattice block or permeable surfaces.
(6)
Seepage pits, seepage trenches or other infiltration structures.
(9)
Cisterns and underground reservoirs.
(14)
Other methods as may be found in the City GI Design Manual and/or
the PA BMP Manual.
E. Small projects are not required to provide for rate control.