Assessing the performance of urban BMPs in Scotland

Best Management Practices (BMPs) in urban drainage have been promoted in Scotland for a number of years in response to the need to combat pollution arising from diffuse sources m urban areas. This has led to the construction of around one hundred BMP installations using both source and end of pipe control. These are principally in the East of Scotland, and the number is growing rapidly as education and knowledge increases.

A programme of investigations into the factors which influence the performance of the systems commenced in 1997. A range of types of BMP are under study including both source control and end of pipe systems. The sites have been divided into groups for which different depths of investigation are being undertaken. The programme involves a number of parallel investigations requiring field studies, data reviews and enquiries to confirm applicability and performance in situ. Many of the factors which influence the selection, installation and operation of a particular system are social, legal and administrative in addition to those which relate to its design and construction. The different strands of the study have been developed to ensure that all influences are identified and evaluated.