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Project Overview

Green Stormwater Infrustructure

  1. Planter Box

  2. Bioretention

  3. Tree Box

  4. Tree Trench + Permeable Pavers

  5. Vegetated Channel

  6. Rain Garden

  7. Continuous Deflective Separation

  8. Rainwater Harvesting Cistern

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Contaminants

Identified Contaminants

According to the EPA and California State Water Resources Control Board, this waterbody is listed under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act for bacterial contamination such as:

  • E. coli

  • Enterococcus

  • Fecal coliform

  • Total coliform

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What does this mean?

  • San Jose Creek Reach 2 is impaired for indicator bacteria under the Clean Water Act.

  • Stormwater discharges must comply with MS4 and TMDL requirements.

  • Low Impact Development (LID) and BMPs are required to reduce bacteria and sediment before discharge.

Pollution Control

Displayed here are examples of plants that’ll be present alongside their target contaminants. This selection includes copper, lead, zinc, and e. coli found within the San Jose Creek. For example, the rain garden uses sage and golden yarrow to target E. coli.  

 

Then there are other plants which help with other aspects such as heavy metals, air quality, runoff, and soil stability. Once the water has passed through the vegetation, it’s ready to move from the cistern into our pumping system for irrigation. 

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Pump System

For our pumping system we will have a wet well interconnected with our storage cistern. Based on the current flow and Total dynamic head we decided to go with 2 submersible pumps that meet our operational requirements, one will act as a lead and one as a standby for redundancy. Both controlled with individual control systems. The system will also have a makeup line for times when our storage is low. We will also have a fire emergency access line for fire department emergencies. From this point, water will be used to irrigate a variety of plants. 

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Irrigation Layout

After the water is pumped up into the system, it's now ready for on-site reuse. Drip irrigation will be implemented per regulation, but this option is also beneficial in maximization, delivering the water directly onto the plant roots. Doing so helps prevent potential evaporation from the water supply. All the vegetation is estimated to have a total water demand of 3,900 gallons per week, which will be delivered from a 2-inch mainline and through laterals. Now that our entire system is set in place, operation and maintenance is needed in order to keep it running for years to come. 

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Operation and Maintenance 

  • Routine inspection of inlets, ponding areas, and overflow structures

  • Maintain soil media and replace mulch if infiltration performance decreases

  • Maintain vegetation by removing dead or invasive plants and replanting when necessary

  • Water vegetation and reseed areas where plants have not established.

  • Remove sediment buildup to maintain proper flow and filtration

  • Semiannual inspections of the continuous deflector separator and vacuum clean when sediment accumulation reaches 75% capacity

  • Quarterly checkups of cistern, with vacuum cleaning performed when sediment buildup reaches 6 inches

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