bioswale with biochar project update
Goals & Objectives
Goals & Objectives
Demonstrate the techno-economic benefits of constructing a bioswale with biochar.
Measure over the course of the bioswale evaluation cycle for the control and biochar sections:
- Total Suspended Solids (Influent/Effluent)
- Nutrient levels/nitrogen and phosphorous compounds (Influent/Effluent)
- Heavy Metals (Influent/Effluent)
- Hydrological performance (ability to retain water/mitigate runoff)
- Soil analysis including moisture levels
- Plant Health
Benefits to business/community:
- Reduced flooding
- Reduced impurities/contaminants flowing to storm drain
- Lower installation and maintenance costs from ability to construct a smaller bioswale with biochar included and reduced watering costs
Project Pictures
Veggielution Community Farm in San Jose, CA
Failed bioswale after a storm
Excavated Bioswale Area
Entry One to Forebay
Entry Two to Forebay
Bioswale Base Material
Forebasin Foundation Prep
Biochar delivered
Divided Bioswale: Control vs. Biochar Sections
Bioswale Training Session
Bioswale Forebay Prep
Bioswale Forebay Prep
Water Testing Access
Biochar Versus Control
Bioswale Forebay Two
Bioswale Forebay One
Finished Bioswale
Results:
Key Findings of Bioswale with Biochar:
- Bioswale eliminated seasonal farm flooding
- Biochar enhanced water infiltration
- Soil improvements and specific impurity filtering improvements were not evident over the time horizon of testing. Longer time horizons for testing may be required to identify differences between control and biochar sections
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