Stormwater Filtration Systems

Abstract

A stormwater filtration system suitable for treatment of stormwater runoff in a developed environment uses a primary treatment bay that includes a filtration bed with live plant matter. A second treatment bay treats water that exceeds the maximum throughput of the primary bay. A reservoir stores treated runoff to water the plants during dry weather. Removable trays on the surface of the primary filtration bed provide plants suitable for ground cover. Additional bays expand the filtration bed throughput and accommodate extended root systems. A flow control may be provided for the primary treatment bay.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . A method of treating stormwater, comprising:
 providing a vault including a filtration bed therein, a top of the filtration bed exposed to air via an upper opening of the chamber, the filtration bed including live plant matter planted therein, the filtration bed including an initial infiltration capacity;   initially receiving stormwater to be treated at a location adjacent the filtration bed;   subsequently flowing the stormwater through the filtration bed into a pipe system within the filtration bed; and   limiting flow through the filtration bed to a level that is less than an initial infiltration capacity of the filtration bed.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43  wherein the pipe system defines a flow construction to perform the limiting step. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43  including:
 flowing at least some stormwater through a porous pavement material.