Did you know that there is an International Database for BMPs? The purpose of the database is to gather sufficient technical design and performance information to improve BMP selection and design so that local stormwater problems can be cost effectively addressed. The project is made up of a coalition of partners, including the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) and the EPA, among others. The BMP database includes over 530 BMP monitoring studies, including significant green infrastructure/LID BMPs.
Creators of the BMP Database see the information as a growing resource of performance data. They see the data as a categorical summary of statistics that can be useful on a planning level. They envision MS4 coordinators and others using the database to find BMPs that are likely to effectively remove targeted pollutants and for BMPs that help to reduce volume of runoff.
In the coming months and years, you will probably see more about the International BMP Database, as there are several new initiatives that are coming out of the current project. For example, there is a new Agricultural BMP Module with a new partner in the National Corn Growers Association. Additionally, those interested in the Chesapeake Bay TMDL program are using the database and have created a special web page and are making an effort to obtain and enter BMPs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed into the database. Finally, the creators of the BMP database are pursuing grant funding for construction BMPs in order to study these BMPs as part of the database.