Clogging of stormwater gravel infiltration systems and filters: Insights from a laboratory study

Abstract

Stormwater infiltration systems are widely used in the control of polluted urban runoff. They are very effective in reducing the volume of stormwater runoff and improving its quality, but they are known to be prone to clogging. Whilst it is evident that clogging determines the design lifespan of infiltration systems, quantitative understanding of the clogging process is currently very limited. A laboratory study was therefore undertaken to better understand physical clogging processes, with the ultimate aim of developing a clogging model for stormwater infiltration systems. This paper presents findings from one-dimensional (1-D) experiments conducted on a gravel filter column. Physical clogg..