National Menu of Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Stormwater-Post-Construction
Disclaimer: The BMP examples and references included on these fact sheets are not intended to be comprehensive. Additionally, the list of BMPs is not all-inclusive, and it does not preclude MS4s from using other technically sound practices.
As areas are developed, the amount of paved surfaces increase leading to an increase in stormwater volume and pollutants, which can harm lakes, rivers, streams, and coastal areas.
The best way to mitigate stormwater impacts from new development is to use practices that treat, store, and infiltrate runoff onsite before it can affect water bodies downstream. Innovative site designs that reduce paved surfaces, or imperviousness, and other green infrastructure practices are excellent ways to reduce flows and improve water quality.
Phase II MS4s are required to address post-construction stormwater runoff from new development and redevelopments that disturb one or more acres. This primarily includes developing:
- strategies to implement a combination of structural and non-structural BMPs,
- an ordinance to address post-construction runoff, and
- a program to ensure adequate long-term operation and maintenance of BMPs.
Key BMPs and Resources
MS4s addressing the post-construction minimum measure should focus on the following key BMPs to help them in developing a post-construction program. Information on green infrastructure and smart growth are key resources for MS4s.
- EPA’s Green Infrastructure - Includes many resources on green infrastructure practices that use vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water and create healthier urban environments
- EPA's Smart Growth program - Includes many resources on smart growth
- Stormwater Manager's Resource Center Exit - Provides information to stormwater practitioners, local government officials and others that need technical assistance on stormwater management issues.
- Ordinances for Post-Construction Runoff
- Post-Construction Plan Review
- BMP Inspection and Maintenance
- Low Impact Development (LID) and Other Green Designs
BMP Fact Sheets
EPA is updating the following fact sheets. You can request a copy or recommend any changes by filling out and submitting the form at the bottom of the NPDES Contact Us webpage.
The fact sheets describe the BMPs and generally provide applicability, implementation, and effectiveness information to help municipal stormwater and construction site operators comply with the stormwater Phase II requirements.
Municipal Program Elements
- BMP Inspection and Maintenance
- Ordinances for Post-construction Runoff
- Post-construction Plan Review
- Zoning
Innovative BMPs for Site Plans
- Alternative Turnarounds
- Conservation Easements
- Development Districts
- Eliminating Curbs and Gutters
- Green Parking
- Green Roofs
- Infrastructure Planning
- Low Impact Development
- (LID) and Other Green Design Strategies
- Narrower Residential Streets
- Open Space Design
- Protection of Natural Features
- Redevelopment
- Riparian/Forested Buffer
- Street Design and Patterns
- Urban Forestry
Infiltration
- Grassed Swales
- Infiltration Basin
- Infiltration Trench
- Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavement
- Pervious Concrete Pavement
- Porous Asphalt Pavement
Filtration
- Bioretention (Rain Gardens)
- Catch Basin Inserts
- Sand and Organic Filters
- Vegetated Filter Strip
Retention/Detention
- Dry Detention Ponds
- In-Line Storage
- On-Lot Treatment
- Stormwater Wetland
- Wet Ponds
Other
- Alum Injection
- Manufactured Products for Stormwater Inlets
Resources
EPA
- Urban Management Measures Guidance - Helps municipalities and citizens in urban areas implement their Phase II stormwater permit programs, and states implement their nonpoint source control programs.
- Using Smart Growth Techniques as Stormwater Best Management Practices
- Water Quality Scorecard - Offers policy options for protecting and improving water quality across different scales of land use and across multiple municipal departments.
- Protecting Water Resources with Higher-Density Development
- Rainwater Harvesting Conservation Credit Codes - This technical guidance document describes rainwater harvesting practices that have the potential to supplement water supplies, manage stormwater and provide a number of additional environmental benefits.
- Federal Facilities:
- Stormwater Management at EPA - Describes a stormwater management demonstration project at EPA Headquarters.
- Stormwater Management for Federal Facilities under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act - Includes technical guidance and resources that federal facilities can use to reduce stormwater runoff from federal development and redevelopment projects to protect water resources.
Other
- 2012 Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington - Includes detailed standards to control stormwater runoff.
- California New Development and Redevelopment BMP Handbook Exit - Includes a series of BMP fact sheets on various BMPs to control stormwater runoff from new developments.
- Maintaining Your BMP: A Guidebook for Private Owners and Operators in Northern Virginia (PDF)(24 pp, 1.6 MB, About PDF) Exit - Assists homeowners with maintaining post-construction BMPs.
- Municipal Guide to Low Impact Development - Presents the benefits of LID in a two-page fact sheet.
- Low Impact Development Technical Guidance Manual for the Puget Sound- The LID Technical Guidance Manual was developed by the Puget Sound Action Team.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development's The Practice of Low Impact Development - Describes LID and alternatives to conventional design approaches.
- Low Impact Development Videos - Includes three videos highlighting green infrastructure techniques and includes examples from Washington, DC and Philadelphia, PA.