Work

Compact bioretention cell for urban stormwater management: Assessment of hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality performance via laboratory and SWMM modelling

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Bioretention cells (BRCs) are widely implemented to restore undeveloped hydrologic cycle; however, conventional BRCs need considerable surface area, limiting their applicability in densely populated areas. Compact BRCs like Filterra® have been designed to provide comparable hydrologic and pollutant removal effectiveness with a smaller footprint. The hydraulic characteristics of Filterra’s engineered media were assessed through laboratory testing using KSAT and HYPROP devices and integrates these results with field monitoring to implement a field-validated storm water management model (SWMM). Laboratory result showed a hydraulic conductivity of 1750 mm/h. The validated SWMM model replicated the outflow dynamics with satisfactory accuracy (KGE > 0.35, R 2 > 0.47) as well as the total suspended solids (TSS) removal is suitably predicted (R 2 = 0.83). Results demonstrate that the field-validated SWMM model can be used to evaluate both hydrologic performance and pollutant TSS removal efficiency of compact BRCs, while noting its limitations in representing complex TSS dynamics.

Source: Environmental Modelling & Software

DOI: 10.1016/j.envsoft.2026.106877

Authors: Shaahin Nazarpour Tameh, Jennifer Drake, Anna Palla, Ilaria Gnecco

Institutions: University of Genoa, Carleton University

Language: English

Topic: Urban Stormwater Management Solutions

Subfield: Environmental Engineering

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,500