Design of a Natural Stormwater Treatment System for Southpoint Business Park

A commercial development company recently proposed a plan for a new business park near the historic town of Mooresville, AL. The local engineering college was asked to examine the impacts of the land use change from the current land use, agricultural, to light industry. Specifically the project consisted of analyzing stormwater caused by development of the property and runoff from the adjacent interstate onto the site. One of the main concerns was that this stormwater would flow directly into natural wetlands of Piney Creek and ultimately, the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge on the Tennessee River. The company also wanted a proposal for the best method to treat the stormwater on-site to minimize environmental impacts of development. This paper will address the design of a natural treatment and detention system for the site. The final design is for a three foot deep pond using phytoremediation with cattails and other native plant species for natural water quality treatment. Additionally the one-half acre pond will allow for solids settling to occur prior to release.