New Assessment Tool for Bioretention Practices

Since December 2007, the Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater Education Consortium (CWSEC) has assisted local storm water departments to install rain gardens at schools throughout Horry and Georgetown Counties, South Carolina. After installation, limited records have been kept on whether or not these rain gardens are being maintained and are functioning properly. Maintenance is often a concern when considering rain gardens or other LID installations. If maintenance is neglected, proper and efficient function of the rain garden can be diminished. Working in conjunction with Horry County Stormwater Management, an undergraduate marine science student at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) has developed a rain garden assessment as an simple, easy-to-use tool that enables rain garden owners to determine if maintenance is required on a rain garden