title: Retrofitting LID Practices into Existing Neighborhoods: Is It Worth It?
abstract: Low-impact development (LID) practices are gaining popularity as an approach to manage stormwater close to the source. LID practices reduce infrastructure requirements and help maintain hydrologic processes similar to predevelopment conditions. Studies have shown LID practices to be effective in reducing runoff and improving water quality. However, little has been done to aid decision makers in selecting the most effective practices for their needs and budgets. The long-term hydrologic impact assessment LID model was applied to four neighborhoods in Lafayette, Indiana using readily available data sources to compare LID practices by analyzing runoff volumes, implementation cost, and the approximate period needed to achieve payback on the investment. Depending on the LID practice and adoption level, 10-70% reductions in runoff volumes could be achieved. The cost per cubic meter of runoff reduction was highly variable depending on the LID practice and the land use to which it was applied, ranging from around $3 to almost $600. In some cases the savings from reduced runoff volumes paid back the LID practice cost with interest in less than 3 years, while in other cases it was not possible to generate a payback. Decision makers need this information to establish realistic goals and make informed decisions regarding LID practices before moving into detailed designs, thereby saving time and resources.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 225 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2093, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 225 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2093, USA.
authors.forename: Yaoze
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Department of Youth Development and Agricultural Education, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA.
authors.forename: Natalie J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Carroll
authors.affiliation: Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, 57007, USA.
authors.forename: Laurent M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ahiablame
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University, 225 South University Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2093, USA. engelb@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Bernard A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Engel
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D062070:Hydrology; D007196:Indiana; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011891:Rain; D014872:Water Movements; D060753:Water Quality
keywords: Cost; Low-impact development; Modeling; Payback period; Runoff; Urban areas