The Regional Water Quality Control Board, in it's draft stormwater permit, has identified source control of urban runoff as a top priority for the cities of Orange County. One of the components of source control specified by the permit as a tool to combat high runoff volumes associated with urban landscapes is Low Impact Development (LID). LID is easiest to implement in new development projects, but some of the tactics suit redevelopment as well. Homeowners may assess existing homes to find ways to utilize LID practices to reduce runoff. Edgescaping is another excellent way to conserve water and reduce runoff.

LID measures provide a means to address both pollutant removal and the protection of predevelopment hydrological functions. Some basic LID principles include conservation of natural features, minimization of impervious surfaces, hydraulic disconnects,
disbursement of runoff and phytoremediation. LID practices such as bioretention facilities or rain gardens, grass swales and channels, vegetated rooftops, rain barrels, cisterns, vegetated filter strips and permeable pavements perform both runoff volume reduction and pollutant filtering functions.

Next: Bioretention