New Drainage System Promises to Decrease Debris From Entering Storm Drains

In an effort to improve water quality along the Coast, Half Moon Bay's Public Works Department completed the installation of the city's first bioswale last week at the Emergency Operations Center off Kelly Street.

Bioswale are designed to reduce and remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water and are considered environmentally superior to traditional storm sewer systems.

“We are very excited to have completed the city’s first bioswale drainage system and look forward to incorporating more of these modern features into future projects,” said Half Moon Bay Public Works Superintendent Larry Carnahan.

According to the regulations set forth by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), cities are responsible for decreasing the amount of debris that enters storm drains. Bioswales are an effective tool to accomplish this goal.

The City of Half Moon Bay was not required to install the bioswale under NPDES guidelines.

Still, to reduce debris entering the storm drain system, the City of Half Moon Bay incorporated the innovative drainage system into a significant city project.

“The environmental benefits of bioswales over customary storm sewers systems cannot be overstated,” said Carnahan.

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