System for managing runoff water

Abstract

Disclosed in this specification is a system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water. In one embodiment, water flows from a sedimentation basin and into plurality of bioretention cells, each extended at an angle relative to the sedimentation basin. Overflow water flows from the plurality of biorention cells into an elongated filter. In another embodiment, a system for reducing run off from an elevated road is disclosed. The system includes an enclosure with a sedimentation basin and a biofiltration basin.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for reducing runoff from an urban area into a body of water, the system comprising:
 a plurality of elongated bioretention cells extending in a first direction,
 each fluidly connected to an elongated sedimentation basin for receiving water therefrom, and 
 each fluidly connected to at least one adjacent elongated bioretention cell; 
   wherein the elongated sedimentation basin has a length that extends in a second direction, different from the first direction;   at least one elongated filter disposed adjacent to and in fluid communication with at least one of the elongated bioretention cells for receiving overflow water therefrom; and   an overflow drain leading from the elongated filter to the body of water.   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one swale disposed between urban area and the elongated sedimentation basin. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first direction and second direction are substantially perpendicular one another. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated bioretention cell that is in fluid communication with elongated filter is in fluid communication by a fluid conduit that is disposed in a top half of the elongated filter. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the overflow drain is in the bottom half of the elongated drain. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the elongated bioretention cells are each comprised of a modular unit selected from the group consisting of a five-sided modular unit with at least one hole; a four-sided modular unit and a three-sided modular unit. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the elongated bioretention cells are each comprised of a modular unit selected from the group consisting of a four-sided modular unit and a three-sided modular unit. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of bioretention cell comprises a combination of at least one four-sided modular unit and at least one three-sided modular unit. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pedestrian path, above and parallel with, the elongated sedimentation basin. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pedestrian path, above and parallel with, the elongated filter. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated bioretention cells comprise vegetation and engineered soil. 
     
     
         12 . A system for reducing runoff from an elevated road into a body of water, the system comprising:
 a road elevated above a ground level by a distance;   a sedimentation basin disposed below the road;   a vertical pipe fluidly connecting the road to the sedimentation basin;   a plurality of bioretention cells, each fluidly connected to the sedimentation basin for receiving water therefrom, and each fluidly connected to at least one adjacent bioretention cell.   
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the distance is at least ten feet. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the sedimentation basin and the plurality of bioretention cells are disposed below the ground level. 
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the sedimentation basin and the plurality of bioretention cells are both disposed above ground level and are within an enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the enclosure is formed from a plurality of vertical walls and a horizontal waterproof liner. 
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of bioretention cells comprise vegetation and engineered soil, where the plurality of bioretention cells is sealed such that a water sample is held in the system, thereby providing the vegetation and engineered soil time to treat the water sample. 
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the vertical walls are Jersey barriers. 
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a maintenance access disposed on top of the enclosure and within the enclosure's perimeter.