Optimizing Compost Use in LID for Stormwater Treatment
Though compost specifications are one component in the complex design of LID systems, compost amendments have the potential to dramatically alter stormwater treatment potential. Optimal compost specifications will increase nutrient retention and infiltration rates, but overapplication or poor source selection will result in high nutrient export.
The goal of this study is to determine the optimal source and application rate of compost amendments in local soils for maximizing water use efficiency and reducing runoff and groundwater quality impacts in semi-arid landscapes to support and improve technical guidelines for LID in Utah.
In collaboration with Dr. Ryan Dupont, Dr. John Rice, Dr. Brian Crookston, and the Utah Department of Transportation, funded by USU Extension Water Initiative, Research Assistant: Lily Wetterlin.
Project objectives include:
1) Characterize the potential effects of compost sources and application rates on soil hydrologic properties and water quality in native soils to determine an optimal compost-soil mixture.
2) Evaluate the effects of the designed compost-soil mixture on plot-scale hydrology and water quality during sequential simulated storm events with extended intermittent dry periods.
3) Develop cost-effective compost source and application rate specifications for optimized use of compost amendments in vegetated filter strips throughout Utah and determine suitable supply and procurement of compost products.
