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URBAN RUNOFF QUALITY MANAGEMENT (BOOK REVIEW)
Citation:
O'Connor*, T P. URBAN RUNOFF QUALITY MANAGEMENT (BOOK REVIEW). WATER ENVIRONMENT AND TECHNOLOGY 12(4):53, (2000).
Description:
This manual of practice is geared toward a technical audience but the first four chapters can be understood by anyone interested in stormwater issues and the use of best management practices (BMPs) to mitigate urban stormwater effects. These chapters outline the stormwater problem, existing data and monitoring requirements; provide historical perspective and regulatory background; and present current literature and management options. Chapter 5 assumes a certain level of technical expertise as it is aimed toward the BMP designer.
This book provides background information on biological measurements for water quality assessments and endorses a watershed based approach to urban stormwater control. These two approaches are put forward as the future direction for measuring stormwater BMP effectiveness and protecting receiving water quality. However, these recommendations are presented cautiously, as few studies have been carried out to validate the use of BMPs on a watershed scale and the ?cause-effect methodologies for relating BMP performance to biotic changes are only now evolving?.
The book cautions against overlapping efforts and presents some conflicting issues regarding stormwater controls. This overlap can be a benefit when stormwater pollution controls can be coordinated with existing pollution removal programs. On the other hand, permits may be required prior to maintenance of wetlands, even wetlands constructed for stormwater control.
The book is written by several authors and though each chapter is distinct in style, it does not adversely affect the book. A better coordination between the chapters could have improved the cohesiveness of the overall message (e.g., chapter 5 vaguely references chapter 3 for appropriate models, but chapter 3 does not explicitly list models, only other sources). Some cases are mentioned without specific references, but on the whole, references are provided and the reader is also directed to in-depth sources of material. Table 5.14 and Figure 5.16 warranted better coordination with the text, but overall the tables and figures are well supported by the text. The figures for the BMP designs are good.