Running head: : REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
Group #4: Review of Bio-ecological Drainage Systems (BIOECODS)
Group Members:
Keston Boodoo-816026090
B’Jorn St.Cyr-816026800
Fana Wiggins 815009894
Tyrese Samuel-816027141
Aaron Bernard-816026872
Kai Fairman-816023260
Course name
Date:
Civil Engineering Design II (CVNG 2003)
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine
Author Note
Lecturer: Prof Hazi Azamathulla
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: REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
2
Contents
BIOECODS DESIGN .............................................................................................................. 3
BIOEDODS CONCEPTS ........................................................................................................ 5
MATERIAL USED IN BIOECODS ....................................................................................... 7
References................................................................................................................................. 8
: REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
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BIOECODS DESIGN CRITERIA
Storm water is a significant contributor to pollution in Malaysia according to (Zakaria
et.al ,2004), hence the goal of storm water management has changed from just being to prevent
flooding but to also protect the natural water cycle and ecological system.
According to (Zakaria et.al ,2004), the common concrete drainage system in Malaysia
has been found to have significant consequences to the environment. It also hasn’t mitigated the
severity of flooding in Malaysia, with flooding only getting worse and the annual budget spent
by the Department of Irrigation and Drainage increasing annually in a feeble attempt to blunt the
damage.
The solutions developed for treating this flooding problem while protecting the environment
were to:
 Introduce a local source control where the storm water is controlled at its source.
 Flow attenuation i.e., prolonging the flow time of runoff to reduce the peak discharge.
 Treatment in natural or mostly constructed biological systems such as ponds, wetlands
and treatment facilities.
These 3 proposed solutions will consider throughout the design of the system; the
quantity and quality of the storm water runoff as well as the amenity value of surface water in the
urban environment (this means creating a more sustainable environment for people and nature).
With this new approach to the long running Malaysian flooding problem, the University
of Science in Malaysia decided to collaborate with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage in
1999, to construct a Bio-ecological drainage system (BIOECODS) at their engineering campus.
The BIOECODS will be a sustainable urban drainage system that will manage stormwater while
replicating natural drainage systems. The aim of this project is to solve the flooding problem by
allowing natural drainage surrounding the BIOECODS to function in conjunction with it, as well
as to mitigate river pollution and water scarcity, with the added benefits of recharging the
groundwater supply and enhancing the environment in sustainability and aesthetics. The
BIOECODS was the first project to incorporate this new way of designing storm water drainage
systems in Malaysia and will consist of applying; swales, subsurface modules, dry ponds, wet
ponds, detention ponds and constructed wetlands into the University’s Drainage System,
covering an area of 300 acres. The project was successfully completed in December 2002, and
according to (Juiani et al.,2021) it has effectively stopped the flooding problem and all the goals
of the project were achieved as expected, with some new unexpected benefits such as increased
aquatic and terrestrial life on the campus, increased oxygen in the natural water sources, and
water for domestic and recreational use.
Dimensions Recommended for BIOECOD Facilities
1. The length of a BIOECOD should be at least 60m and a maximum of 30 meters.
2. The Minimum Width of a BIOECOD should be at least 0.6m and have a maximum of 3
meters.
3. The ponded zones should be a maximum of 150mm and design ponding time of 24 hours
4. The Longitudinal slope should be less than 5%.
5. The root zone should have a minimum depth of 100mm.
: REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
Min
Length
(m)
60
Min/Max
Bottom
Width (m)
0.6/3.0
Recommende
d Slope (%)
30
0.6/2.4
N/a
N/a
N/a
N/a
Min 30
Max 60
Min 30
Max 60
4
Max Flow
Velocity
(m/s)
2
Max Depth
of flow
(mm)
150
Min/Max
Residence
Time (min)
0.1
<0.3
75
N/a
N/a
N/a
N/a
Bettess (1996)
1
2% (0.5 min
and 6.0 max)
<4% without
berms
N/a
Mohd. Sidek
et al. (2001)
WEF (1998)
N/a
N/a
250-1000
(Total
Depth)
Leonard and
Sheriff (1992)
N/a
0.6
<6%
Max 5%
<0.5
N/a
N/a
N/a
N/a
N/a
< 8 feet
2%-4%
<0.9 fps
(6months),
<1.5 fps
(2years)
N/a
Max 10 (6month 24hour Storm)
FRPB (1995)
Yu et al.
(1994)
Reeves (2000)
2%-4%
Literature
Source
Table 1 Showing the Comparison of Design Criteria for the Ecological Swale based on the
MASMA and others (after Burkhard 2000)
BIOECODS Components
Dry Pond
Wet Pond
Detention Pond
Design Parameter
Criteria
Maximum period of surface water inundation
Maximum depth of water inundation
Surface Area
Volume Capacity
Design Rainfall
Surface Area
Volume Capacity
Design Rainfall
24 hours
150mm
4500 m2
5000 m3
10-year ARI
10,000 m2
18,000 m3
50-year ARI
Table 2 Showing Design Criteria for Dry, Wet and Detention Ponds
Design Parameter
Catchment Area
% Catchment Area
Length
Width
Design Storm (3-month ARI)
Volume
Design Inflow Rate
Bed Depth
Media
Hydraulic Conductivity of Gravel
Criteria
1.214 km2
0.7
155m
60m
22.5mm/hr
9,100 m2
0.25 m3/s
0.6m
Pea Gravel and Soil Mixture
10 m3/s to 10m2/s
: REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
Slope of Wetland Bed
1%
Wetland Surface area
9,100 m2
Mean Residence Time
3 Days
Table 3 Showing Design Criteria for the constructed Wetland
Figure 1 Showing the Schematic Layout of BIOECOD Drainage Systems
BIOEDODS CONCEPTS
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Running head: : REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
Concept
Description
Bio Retention
Swales
Bioretention swales are shallow, vegetated, landscaped depressions with sloped sides with the intent to
capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff as it moves downstream. Swales can be classified as
perimeter swales and individual swales. Perimeter swales cater for excess water while individual
swales capture flow from impermeable surfaces.
Dry Ponds
Dry ponds are known as on-site stormwater detention ponds which serve a temporary storage function
for excess stormwater runoff. This detention basin has a storage capacity of 150 mm and is integrated
into the surrounding landscape. The excess runoff enters the pond through the ecological swale and by
filtration is drained into a modular storage tank. This component also serves as passive and active
recreational areas.
Ecological
Swale +
Subsurface
Detention
Wet Pond
An ecological swale is a dual drainage system which consists of a surface swale and a subsurface
module. This BIOECOD aids in the retention, infiltration and detention. The excess stormwater is
stored as subsurface detention storage. Depending on size and capacity, the type of ecological swale
will be taken into careful consideration to suite specific site conditions.
Detention Pond
The Bio-Ecological drainage Systems (BIOECODS) concept utilizes subsurface detention storage for
excess stormwater runoff. These storage modules are placed at critical connecting points withing the
system. The modules used can be categorized based on storage capacities and can be noted as being
either Type 1 or Type 2 for the design being assessed. The concepts surrounding BIOECODS combine
infiltration, delayed flow, storage, and purification (pre-treatment of storm water)(Ghani, et al. 2008)
Detention ponds serve the function of: 1) Stormwater detention; 2) Solids Settling; 3) Biological
treatment
Wetland is used as a community treatment facility. As much as 90% of the total volume of annual
stormwater runoff will flow through an area supporting growing plant material. The end product is
expected to improve the aesthetic value for surrounding areas at the downstream end of the drainage
system.
Wetland
Wading River
Recreational
Pond and River
A wet pond is a stormwater facility that provides both permanent and temporary storage of stormwater
runoff. The wet pond facilitates all of the excess water from built-up areas. It has an outlet structure
that creates a permanent pool and detains runoff inflows and promotes settlements of pollutants.
After the settlement or removal of suspended solids in the Wetland, the emerging water is now
considered suitable for reintegration into surrounding areas through the existence of lakes.
Alternatively, the byproduct of this stormwater management system is allowed to enter major
waterways e.g., Rivers
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Diagram
Running head: : REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
MATERIAL USED IN BIOECODS
Subsurface
Drainage
Module
Filter fabric
These are structures usually made of plastic (recycled
polypropylene) that can be designed in many different shapes
and sized in order to promote storage of water, attenuation or
volume reduction depending on the requirements of the system.
As infiltrated water gets to the module, it seeps into the soil
through the exfiltration process until the soil underneath and to
the side of the module is fully saturated. After the soil is fully
saturated the water is then stored in the module.
Subsurface drainage module
(Kee, et al.2011)
A synthetic fabric that is permeable which allows water to pass
through it. This fabric has a screening capability of 0.38mm
and has a permeability of 93mm/s.
Filter Fabric (Hydro-net)
(Ghani, et al. 2004)
Clean Sand
Topsoil
The sand bed provides drainage and aeration of the root zone
which is defined as the region which provides a source of water
to sustain the growth of the plants. The infiltration of this layer
filters out particulates and smaller solid nutrients attached to it.
Sieker (1999) states that the hydraulic conductivity of the sand
needs to be at least 10-5 m/s. Particle sizes are between 0.5mm0.2mm (Ghani, et al. 2004)
(Zakaria et al,2003)
Facilitates drainage as well as provides a planting medium for
grasses or other plant matter. (1-2 inches thick) (Zakaria et
al,2003)
(Zakaria et al,2003)
Plants
Geostrip
The sand bed provides drainage and aeration of the root zone
which is defined as the region which provides a source of water
to sustain the growth of the plants. The infiltration of this layer
filters out particulates and smaller solid nutrients attached to it.
Sieker (1999) states that the hydraulic conductivity of the sand
needs to be at least 10-5 m/s. Particle sizes are between 0.5mm0.2mm (Ghani, et al. 2004)
A filter drain with openings on all 4 sides to allow for adequate
flow made from recycled plastic usually used in the perimeter
swale. (Zakaria et al, 2003)
(Zakaria et al ,2003)
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: REVIEW OF BIO-ECOLOGICAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS (BIOECODS)
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References
Abdurrasheed, Abdurrasheed Sa'id, Khamaruzaman Wan Yusof, Husna Bt Takaijudin,
Aminuddin Ab. Ghani, Muhammad Mujahid Muhammad, and Abdulkadir Taofeeq
Sholagberu. “Advances and Challenging Issues in Subsurface Drainage Module
Technology and BIOECODS: A Review.” MATEC Web of Conferences 203 (2018):
07005. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201820307005.
Ghani, A Ab, NA Zakaria, R Abdullah, MF Yusof, L Mohd Sidek, AH Kassim, and A Ainan.
2004. "Bio-ecological drainage system (BIOECODS): concept, design and construction."
lnternariond Conference on HydroScience and Engineering, Brisbane, Australia.
Ghani, AAB, NA Zakaria, CK Chang, and A Ainan. 2008. "Sustainable urban drainage system
(SUDS)–Malaysian experiences." Proc. 11th International Conference on Urban
Drainage.
Juiani, Siti Fairuz, Nor Azazi Zakaria, Aminuddin Ab Ghani, Khairul Rahmah Ayub, Nor Ariza
Azizan, Mohd Fazly Yusof, and Mohammad Zaki Mohd Kasim. "Bio-Ecological
Drainage System (BIOECODS)–A Sustainable Green University Drainage System."
Zakaria ,Nor Azazi , Aminuddin AB. Ghani, Rozi Abdullah, Lariyah Mohd. Sidek, Anita Ainan.
2003. ”Bio-Ecological drainage systems for water quantity and quality control.” Intl.
River Basin Management Vol 1 No.3
Zakaria, Nor Azazi, Aminuddin AB. Ghani, Tze Liang Lau, and Cheng Siang Leow. “Securing
Water for Future Generations through ... - USM.” Accessed November 7, 2021.
http://redac.eng.usm.my/html/publish/2011_45.pdf.
Kee ,Li Choo, Nor Azazi Zakaria, Tze Liang Lau, Chun Kiat Chang, Aninuddin A.B. Ghani,
2011,”Determination of manning’s n for subsurface modular channel”