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Effectiveness of Rain Gardens for Managing Non-Point Source Pollution from Urban Surface Storm Water Runoff in Eastern Texas, USA

Author

Listed:
  • Shradhda Suman Jnawali

    (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

  • Matthew McBroom

    (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

  • Yanli Zhang

    (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

  • Kevin Stafford

    (Department of Geology, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

  • Zhengyi Wang

    (Perennial Environmental Services, Houston, TX 77040, USA)

  • David Creech

    (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

  • Zhongqian Cheng

    (Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX 75962, USA)

Abstract

Extreme precipitation events are one of the common hazards in eastern Texas, generating a large amount of storm water. Water running off urban areas may carry non-point source (NPS) pollution to natural resources such as rivers and lakes. Urbanization exacerbates this issue by increasing impervious surfaces that prevent natural infiltration. This study evaluated the efficacy of rain gardens, a nature-based best management practice (BMP), in mitigating NPS pollution from urban stormwater runoff. Stormwater samples were collected at inflow and outflow points of three rain gardens and analyzed for various water quality parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity, fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, sulfate, salts, carbonates, bicarbonates, sodium, potassium, aluminum, boron, calcium, mercury, arsenic, copper iron lead magnesium, manganese and zinc. Removal efficiencies for nitrate, phosphate, and zinc exceeded 70%, while heavy metals such as lead achieved reductions up to 80%. However, certain parameters, such as calcium, magnesium and conductivity, showed increased outflow concentrations, attributed to substrate leaching. These increases resulted in a higher outflow pH. Overall, the pollutants were removed with an efficiency exceeding 50%. These findings demonstrate that rain gardens are an effective and sustainable solution for managing urban stormwater runoff and mitigating NPS pollution in eastern Texas, particularly in regions vulnerable to extreme precipitation events.

Suggested Citation

  • Shradhda Suman Jnawali & Matthew McBroom & Yanli Zhang & Kevin Stafford & Zhengyi Wang & David Creech & Zhongqian Cheng, 2025. "Effectiveness of Rain Gardens for Managing Non-Point Source Pollution from Urban Surface Storm Water Runoff in Eastern Texas, USA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4631-:d:1658667
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mo Wang & Ji’an Zhuang & Chuanhao Sun & Lie Wang & Menghan Zhang & Chengliang Fan & Jianjun Li, 2024. "The Application of Rain Gardens in Urban Environments: A Bibliometric Review," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Linying Zhang & Zehao Ye & Shozo Shibata, 2020. "Assessment of Rain Garden Effects for the Management of Urban Storm Runoff in Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Vassilios Tsihrintzis & Rizwan Hamid, 1997. "Modeling and Management of Urban Stormwater Runoff Quality: A Review," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 11(2), pages 136-164, April.
    4. Jennifer Morash & Amy Wright & Charlene LeBleu & Amanda Meder & Raymond Kessler & Eve Brantley & Julie Howe, 2019. "Increasing Sustainability of Residential Areas Using Rain Gardens to Improve Pollutant Capture, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, June.
    5. Carlynn Fagnant & Avantika Gori & Antonia Sebastian & Philip B. Bedient & Katherine B. Ensor, 2020. "Characterizing spatiotemporal trends in extreme precipitation in Southeast Texas," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 104(2), pages 1597-1621, November.
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