Date of Award

5-2007

Degree Type

Report

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

Committee Chair(s)

Malgorzata Rycewicz-Borecki

Committee

Malgorzata Rycewicz-Borecki

Abstract

Stormwater, as a result of hydrological events and urbanization, has contributed to problem s of water quality and flooding. Stormwater picks up pollutants and flows into sewer systems ultimately impacting water sheds and wildlife habitat. The primary method to control storm water discharge is by the use of best management practices. This research seeks to evaluate the perceived effectiveness of stormwater structural Best Management Practice s (BMPs) installed on municipal sites in northern Utah. A representative sample of sites is chosen using a snowballing sampling method. Selected sites are visited and surveys addressing effectiveness and maintenance issue s are answered by city engineers and maintenance personnel associated with the site. The results of the survey are catalogued and the perceived effectiveness of the most commonly found BMP types analyzed. Additionally, the results where catalogued according to the respondents' technical training to highlight whether differences in technical education effected their perceptions towards the BMP effectiveness and whether managers with similar levels of training hold common perceptions. This study concludes that after the EPA Phase II Rule (passed in 2000) the rate of installation of BMPs in northern Utah has accelerated and with a dramatic increase in the use of BMP types that improve water quality. Stromwater Wetlands, Extended Dry Detention Basins, Wet Ponds, Infiltration Devices, Sediment Basins, and Grassed Swales are found to be the most common BMP types used in northern Utah. Overall, most of the BMPs are perceived as effective in achieving their intended objectives. The results also indicated that the level of technical training does influence storm water managers' perceptions towards BMP effectiveness and managers with similar technical training hold similar perceptions.

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