New York City Stormwater Manual

Appendix E
SITE
DESIGN
EXAMPLE
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

Site Design Example

Design stormwater management practices for a 21,545 square foot commercial development that
proposes a new site connection. This site is located within the sewershed of a combined sewer system
and has no site constraints. Based on geotechnical investigations, the soil permeability rate across the
site is at least 0.5 in/hr.

Step 1: Determine applicable permit requirements for the site.

Since the project disturbs more than 20,000 square feet and involves commercial development, a Stormwater
Construction Permit is applicable. As shown in Table 2.3 of Chapter 2, commercial development is a covered
development activity that requires the preparation of a SWPPP meeting erosion and sediment control (ESC), water
quality (WQV), and runoff reduction (RR) requirements. The no-net increase (NNI) requirement is not applicable
because the project is not located in an MS4 sewershed area and does not discharge into an impaired water body.

The project proposes a new site connection and is located within the sewershed of a combined sewer system.
Therefore, a Site Connection Permit is also applicable. A connection proposal must be prepared to meet the sewer
operations (VV) requirements.

Step 2: Use Appendix C to select appropriate practices for meeting the WQV, RR, and VV requirements.
The ESC requirements should be met using best practices in accordance with the NYS Standards and
Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control (The Blue Book).
Since the site has no constraints and the soil permeability rate is at least 0.5 in/hr, an infiltration practice is
preferred. To meet the WQV and RR requirements, the designer has chosen to use a bioretention practice for each
of the four drainage areas. The designer has chosen to use a detention tank to meet the VV requirements.
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

Figure G.1. Schematic of Scenario 1

 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

SMP 1: Bioretention

Design a bioretention practice (SMP 1) that will treat the water quality volume from an impervious area
of 2,976 square feet with a runoff coefficient of 0.95. This example assumes a soil media saturated
hydraulic conductivity of 2 in/hr, and an infiltration rate of 1.5 in/hr.

Note: If a bioretention practice is designed to meet the water quality volume, the practice will, by
default, also meet the runoff reduction criteria.

Step 3.1: Calculate the WQV.

1.5 𝑖𝑛
𝑊𝑄𝑉 = ∗ 𝐴 ∗ 𝑅𝑉
12

where:
WQV = water quality volume (cf)
A = contributing area (sf) = 2,976 sf
RV = runoff coefficient relating total rainfall and runoff
RV = 0.05 + 0.009(I) = 0.95
I = percent impervious cover = 100%

1.5 𝑖𝑛
𝑊𝑄𝑉 = ∗ 2,976 𝑠𝑓 ∗ 0.95
12

𝑊𝑄𝑉 = 353.4 𝑐𝑓

Step 3.2: Calculate the minimum SMP area using the maximum loading ratio of 1:20 for a bioretention
practice. Use the minimum area to set the initial length and width of the practice.
𝐴
𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 =
20

where:
ASMP = area at the base of infiltration SMP (sf)
A = contributing area (sf) = 2,976 sf

2,976 𝑠𝑓
𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 =
20

𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 = 148.8 𝑠𝑓

Round the SMP area up to 150 sf. Assume a 30 ft by 5 ft practice.

 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

Step 3.3: Calculate the volume of surface ponding assuming the maximum surface ponding depth of 1
ft for a bioretention practice.
Assume the ponding zone is relatively flat.

𝑉𝑃 = 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝐷𝑃

where:
VP = volume of surface ponding (cf)
ASMP = area of the SMP (sf) = 150 sf
DP = depth of ponding (ft) = 1 ft

𝑉𝑃 = 150 𝑠𝑓 ∗ 1 𝑓𝑡

𝑉𝑃 = 150 𝑐𝑓

Since the bioretention practice uses engineered soil media, confirm that the volume of surface ponding is at least
10% of the water quality volume.

𝑉𝑃 = 150 𝑐𝑓 > 10% 𝑜𝑓 𝑊𝑄𝑉 = 35.3 𝑐𝑓 𝑂𝐾

In this case, the designer has also chosen to use a hydraulic connection between the ponding zone and the stone
base. Therefore, the ponding zone does not need to temporarily store 75% of the water quality volume.

Step 3.4: Calculate the volume of voids in the soil media layer assuming a soil media depth of 2.5 ft,
equal to the minimum soil media depth of 2.5 ft for a bioretention practice.
𝑉𝑆 = 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝐷𝑆 ∗ 𝑛𝑆

VS = volume of voids in the soil media layer (cf)

ASMP = area of the SMP (sf) = 150 sf
DS = depth of soil media layer (ft) = 2.5 ft
nS = available porosity of soil media (cf/cf) = 0.2 cf/cf

𝑐𝑓
𝑉𝑆 = 150 𝑠𝑓 ∗ 2.5 𝑓𝑡 ∗ 0.2
𝑐𝑓

𝑉𝑆 = 75 𝑐𝑓

Step 3.5: Calculate the volume of voids created by internal structures.

Assume there are no internal structures in this bioretention practice, so the volume is 0.
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

𝑉𝐼 = 0 𝑐𝑓

Step 3.6: Calculate the volume of voids in the drainage layer assuming a drainage media depth of 2.5
ft, which is greater than the minimum drainage media depth of 1 ft for a bioretention practice.
𝑉𝐷 = (𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃 ∗ 𝐷𝐷 − 𝑉𝐼,𝑑 ) ∗ 𝑛𝐷

where:
VD = volume of voids in the drainage layer (cf)
ASMP = area of the SMP (sf) = 150 cf
DD = depth of the drainage layer (ft) = 2.5 ft
VI,d = volume of voids created by internal structures within the drainage layer (cf) = 0 cf
nD = porosity of drainage layer media (cf/cf) = 0.4 cf/cf

𝑐𝑓
𝑉𝐷 = (150 𝑠𝑓 ∗ 2.5 𝑓𝑡 − 0 𝑐𝑓) ∗ 0.4
𝑐𝑓

𝑉𝐷 = 150 𝑐𝑓

Step 3.7: Calculate the total SMP volume from the individual component volumes and compare to the
WQV.
𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃 = 𝑉𝑃 + 𝑉𝑆 + 𝑉𝐼 + 𝑉𝐷

where:
VSMP = storage volume of SMP (cf)
VP = volume of surface ponding (cf) = 150 cf
VS = volume of voids in the soil media layer (cf) = 75 cf
VI = volume of voids created by internal structures such as chambers or pipes (cf) = 0 cf
VD = volume of voids in the drainage layer (cf) = 150 cf

𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃 = 150 𝑐𝑓 + 75 𝑐𝑓 + 0 𝑐𝑓 + 150 𝑐𝑓

𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃 = 375 𝑐𝑓 > 𝑊𝑄𝑉 = 353.4 𝑐𝑓 𝑂𝐾

Step 3.8: Check that the ponding and infiltration drawdown times of the practice do not exceed the
required times of 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively.
Infiltration drawdown time:
𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃
𝑑𝑡𝑆𝑀𝑃 =
𝑖
( ) ∗ 𝐴𝑆𝑀𝑃
12
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

where:
dtSMP = drawdown time of infiltration SMP (hr)
VSMP = volume of infiltration SMP (cf) = WQV = 375 cf
i = field measured infiltration rate (in/hr) = 1.5 in/hr
ASMP = area at the base of infiltration SMP (sf) = 150 sf

375 𝑐𝑓
𝑑𝑡𝑆𝑀𝑃 =
1.5 𝑖𝑛/ℎ𝑟
( ) ∗ 150 𝑠𝑓
12

𝑑𝑡𝑆𝑀𝑃 = 20 ℎ𝑟 < 48 ℎ𝑟 𝑂𝐾

Surface ponding drawdown time:

𝑉𝑃
𝑑𝑡𝑃 =
𝐾 0.5𝐷𝑝 𝐴 + 𝐴𝑃2
( 𝑆 ) ∗ (1 + ) ∗ ( 𝑃1 )
12 𝐷𝑚 2

where:
dtP = drawdown time of surface ponding (hr)
VP = volume of surface ponding (cf) = 150 cf
KS = saturated hydraulic conductivity of media below the surface ponding area (in/hr) = 2 in/hr
Dp = maximum depth of ponding (ft) = 1 ft
Dm = depth of media below surface ponding area (ft) = 2.5 ft
AP1 = area at the base of surface ponding zone (sf) = 150 sf
AP2 = area at the top of surface ponding zone (sf) = 150 sf

150 𝑐𝑓
𝑑𝑡𝑃 =
𝑖𝑛
2 0.5 ∗ 1 𝑓𝑡 150 𝑠𝑓 + 150 𝑠𝑓
( ℎ𝑟 ) ∗ (1 + )∗( )
12 2.5 𝑓𝑡 2

𝑑𝑡𝑃 = 5 ℎ𝑟 < 24 ℎ𝑟 𝑂𝐾
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

SMP 2-4: Bioretention

Steps 4-6: Design bioretention practices (SMP 2, SMP 3, and SMP 4) for the other three drainage areas
by running through the same steps as for SMP 1. Assume a soil media saturated hydraulic conductivity
of 2 in/hr, and an infiltration rate of 1.5 in/hr.
Table G.1 shows the final dimensions, SMP volume, and required water quality volume for each bioretention
practice.

Table G.1. Summary of WQV Design

Drainage Dimensions (L’ x SMP Volume
SMP # Area (sf) W’ x D’) (cf) WQV (cf)
1 2,976 30 x 5 x 6 375 353.4
2 4,714 48 x 5 x 6 600 559.8
3 3,895 39 x 5 x 6 487.5 462.5
4 9,960 100 x 5 x 6 1,250 1,182.8
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

SMP 5: Detention Tank

Design a detention tank (SMP 5) that will treat the sewer operations volume from an impervious area of
21,545 square feet with a weighted runoff coefficient of 0.88.

Step 7.1: Identify the rainfall depth (RD) based on the sewershed type and connection proposal type
for the project. Use Table 2.7 in Chapter 2.
As determined in Step 1, the project requires a site connection permit (SCP). In addition, the project is located
within the sewershed of a combined sewer system.

Table 2.7. Applied rainfall depth by sewershed type and connection proposal type.

RD Description
1.85 CSS areas with SCP
1.50 CSS areas with HCP
1.50 MS4 areas wiith SCP
1.10 MS4 areas with HCP

According to Table 2.7, 𝑅𝐷 = 1.85 𝑖𝑛.

Step 7.2: Calculate the total VV.

𝑅𝐷
𝑉𝑉 = ∗ 𝐴 ∗ 𝐶𝑊
12

where:
VV = sewer operations volume (cf)
RD = rainfall depth (in) = 1.85 in
A = contributing area (sf) = 21,545 sf
CW = weighted runoff coefficient relating peak rate of rainfall and runoff = 0.88

1.85 𝑖𝑛
𝑉𝑉 = ∗ 21,545 𝑠𝑓 ∗ 0.88
12

𝑉𝑉 = 2,922.9 𝑐𝑓

Step 7.3: Subtract the amount of SMP volume that may be credited towards meeting the total VV from
Step 7.2. The remaining volume (VV,Tank) must be managed by the detention tank.
50% of the VSMP from each bioretention practice can be credited towards the VV.

Total creditable VSMP:

𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,𝑇𝐶 = 0.5(𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,1 + 𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,2 + 𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,3 + 𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,4 )

 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

where:
VSMP,TC = total creditable SMP volume (cf)
VSMP,1 = volume from SMP 1 (cf) = 375 cf
VSMP,2 = volume from SMP 2 (cf) = 600 cf
VSMP,3 = volume from SMP 3 (cf) = 487.5 cf
VSMP,4 = volume from SMP 4 (cf) = 1,250 cf

𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,𝑇𝐶 = 0.5(375 𝑐𝑓 + 600 𝑐𝑓 + 487.5 𝑐𝑓 + 1,250 𝑐𝑓)

𝑉𝑆𝑀𝑃,𝑇𝐶 = 1,356.25 𝑐𝑓

Remaining volume managed by the detention tank:

𝑉𝑉,𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 = 2,922.9 𝑐𝑓 − 1,356.25 𝑐𝑓

𝑉𝑉,𝑇𝑎𝑛𝑘 = 1,566.65 𝑐𝑓

Step 7.4: Calculate the release rate to be maintained by the controlled-flow orifice. Use the maximum
release rate per acre (q) shown in Table 2.9, Chapter 2.
The project is located within the sewershed of a combined sewer system.

Table 2.9. Maximum release rate per acre (cfs/acre) by sewershed type.
q
(cfs/acre) Description
1.0 MS4 areas
0.1 CSS areas
𝑐𝑓𝑠
According to Table 2.9, 𝑞 = 0.1 .
𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒

𝑞 ∗𝐴
𝑄𝐷𝑅𝑅 = 𝑜𝑟 0.046 [𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟]
43560

where:
QDRR = maximum release rate for the site (cfs)
q = maximum release rate per acre (cfs/acre) = 0.1 cfs/acre
A = contributing area (sf) = 93,200 sf

𝑐𝑓𝑠
0.1 ∗ 21,545 𝑠𝑓
𝑄𝐷𝑅𝑅 = 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑟 0.046 [𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟]
43560
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

𝑄𝐷𝑅𝑅 = 0.049 𝑐𝑓𝑠 > 0.046 𝑐𝑓𝑠

The maximum release rate is 0.049 cfs.

Step 7.5: Use the controlled-flow orifice equation to determine an appropriate orifice area by
assuming the active storage depth.
In order to minimize the area required for the detention tank, choose the maximum depth that is still feasible
according to site limitations and use a re-entrant orifice. In this case, the designer has chosen an active storage
depth of 4 ft.

𝑄𝑂 = 𝐶𝐷 ∗ 𝐴𝑜 ∗ √2𝑔𝐻

where:
QO = maximum release rate of orifice (cfs) = 0.049 cfs
CD = coefficient of discharge, 0.52 for re-entrant orifice
AO = area of orifice (sf)
g = acceleration due to gravity, 32.2 (ft/s2)
H = maximum hydraulic head above the centerline of the orifice (ft) = 4 ft

𝑓𝑡
0.049 𝑐𝑓𝑠 = 0.52 ∗ 𝐴𝑜 ∗ √2 ∗ 32.2 ( 2 ) ∗ 4 𝑓𝑡
𝑠
𝐴𝑜 = 0.006 𝑠𝑓

Step 7.6: Translate the area of the controlled-flow orifice (AO) into a diameter and check that it is
greater than the minimum diameter of 1 in.
𝐷𝑜 2
[𝜋 ∗ ( ) ]
2
𝐴𝑜 =
144

where:
AO = area of orifice (sf) = 0.006 sf
DO = diameter of orifice (in)

𝐷𝑂 2
[𝜋 ∗ ( ) ]
2
0.006 𝑠𝑓 =
144

𝐷𝑂 = 1.05 𝑖𝑛 > 1 𝑖𝑛 𝑂𝐾

Set the orifice diameter to the nearest 0.25-inch interval rounding down, with a minimum orifice diameter of one-
inch. In this case, use an orifice diameter of 1.00 inch.
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

Step 7.7: Confirm the orifice area of the selected orifice diameter from Step 7.6.
𝐷𝑜 2
[𝜋 ∗ ( ) ]
2
𝐴𝑜 =
144

where:
AO = area of orifice (sf)
DO = diameter of orifice (in) = 1 in

1 𝑖𝑛 2
[𝜋 ∗ ( ) ]
2
𝐴𝑂 =
144

𝐴𝑂 = 0.005 𝑠𝑓

Step 7.8: Confirm the required active storage depth in the tank using the orifice area from Step 7.7.

𝑄𝑂 = 𝐶𝐷 ∗ 𝐴𝑜 ∗ √2𝑔𝐻

where:
QO = maximum release rate of orifice (cfs) = 0.049 cfs
CD = coefficient of discharge, 0.52 for re-entrant orifice
AO = area of orifice (sf) = 0.005 sf
g = acceleration due to gravity, 32.2 (ft/s2)
H = maximum hydraulic head above the centerline of the orifice (ft)

𝑓𝑡
0.049 𝑐𝑓𝑠 = 0.52 ∗ 0.005 𝑠𝑓 ∗ √2 ∗ 32.2 ( 2 ) ∗ 𝐻
𝑠
𝐻 = 5.5 𝑓𝑡

If the active storage depth is too high, then increase the orifice size by 0.25 inches and re-run Steps 7.7-7.8 until a
suitable depth is identified. If the active storage depth is too low, then decrease the orifice size by 0.25 inches (but
not less than 1 inch) and re-run Steps 7.7-7.8. Alternatively, the designer can choose a different orifice
configuration as needed to modify the active storage depth.

In this case, the depth is feasible.

Step 7.9: Set the dimensions of the detention tank’s active storage zone.
Based on the active storage depth of 5.5 ft and the VV,Tank of 1,566.65 cf, set the interior detention tank dimensions
to L: 17 ft and W: 17 ft. The resulting detention tank has an active storage volume of 1,589.5 cf. Note that the
 NYC Stormwater Manual – Appendix E

exterior dimensions of the detention tank will be larger than the dimensions of the active storage zone (17’L x
17’W x 5.5’D) to accommodate wall thickness, bypass structures, and/or other internal features.

Table G.2 summarizes the final designs for the bioretention practices and the detention tank.

Table G.2. Summary of WQV and VV Design

Drainage Dimensions (L’ x SMP

SMP # Area (sf) W’ x D’) Volume (cf) WQV (cf) VV (cf)
1 2,976 30 x 5 x 6 375 353.4 187.5
2 4,714 48 x 5 x 6 600 559.8 300
3 3,895 39 x 5 x 6 487.5 462.5 243.75
4 9,960 100 x 5 x 6 1,250 1,182.8 625
5 21,545 17 x 17 x 5.5 1,589.5 0 1,589.5
Total 21,545 - - 2,558.5 2,945.75