Improvements in Infiltration Rates of Compacted Soil with Tillage and Compost

Soils on residential developments typically have lower stormwater infiltration rates than the soils they replace. This is due to reduced topsoil depth and increased subsoil compaction as land is reshaped and worked with heavy equipment during development. Loss of infiltration leads to increased stormwater runoff and associated downstream problems of flooding, pollutant transport, and warming stream temperatures. This paper explores improvements to stormwater infiltration rates by amending soils on residential developments with tillage methods and compost application rates. Field studies to measure how tillage and compost soil amendments perform under actual conditions and the practical aspects of using them are being performed.