Hydrologic behaviour of stormwater infiltration trenches in a central urban area during 23/4 years of operation

Two infiltration trenches were constructed in a densely built-up area in central Copenhagen and equipped with on-line sensors measuring rain, runoff flow from the connected surfaces and water level in the trenches. The paper describes the field site, the measuring system and the results from an initial soil survey. Although the two trenches are placed close to each other they function rather differently, corresponding to effective soil permeabilities of 2.10(-6) m/s in one trench and a factor 10 smaller in the other. During 23/4 years of measuring 89 events were recorded, of which 7 caused overflow. Analyses of falling water tables after rain indicated slight clogging, but this effect is less important than the general lack of knowledge about soil permeability for normal design situations. The results indicate that the stormwater infiltration in central urban areas with compressed soils and backfill is more feasible than previously anticipated. (C) 1999 IAWQ Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.