Alley Becomes Test Case for LID/Stormwater Quality

With an eye on sustainability and low impact development, an alley in downtown Sarasota is now a test case for an innovative way to improve stormwater quality.

A new stormwater filtration system was installed underground while scheduled improvements were made to the alley behind Main Street from Lemon Avenue to Central Avenue. 

“Urban stormwater runoff is the third largest water pollution source,” explained Alison Albee, City of Sarasota Environmental Specialist. “That runoff is untreated and includes grease, oil, chemicals, debris and nutrients.  And, it flows untreated into our waterways and ultimately into Sarasota Bay. The goal of this pilot filtration system is to clean that runoff before it reaches the storm drain.”

The system is designed to capture the first one-half inch of rainfall, and the pollutants, which wash down the alley.  The runoff will go through a 4-foot x 40-foot area of permeable block pavers (PaveDrain®) then filter through a system of rocks and sand.

The water will flow through a perforated pipe encased with a filter sock before being deposited as filtered water into the storm drain.

Many pollutants, including oil and grease, spill into alleys from businesses and flow into storm drains untreated.  It is hoped this pilot program will reduce many of those pollutants.  City staff also met with nearby business owners and explained how their disposal of materials can impact the community’s stormwater system.

“This demonstration project is the latest example of our community’s leadership and commitment to restoring the Sarasota Bay estuary to its pristine condition,” said City Manager Tom Barwin.

Titan Block, the distributor of PaveDrain® in Florida, donated the paver blocks for the pilot program.

Over the next year, tests will be conducted to determine the efficacy of the program. 

Already, other jurisdictions have expressed an interest in visiting the alley and learning more about the stormwater filtration system.

For more information contact City of Sarasota Environmental Specialist Alison Albee:  365-2200 ext. 6317.