Stormwater Capture

Stanford University is now capturing stormwater and irrigation runoff as an alternate water source to supplement the non-potable irrigation system.

This practice of runoff capture is driven by requirements for stormwater quality treatment following redevelopment. These facilities satisfy the stormwater requirements by capturing stormwater runoff during small storm events, 2-year and smaller, as well as irrigation runoff during dry periods. These regional facilities are more cost effective to operate and maintain than typical bioretention (which typically have been distributed around each new facility).

West Campus Runoff Intercept Facility at the Sand Hill Fields — The Sand Hill Fields are part of the West Campus Stormwater Capture and Use Facility

At the runoff intercept facilities, captured runoff is routed by a diversion structure to a basin, filtered, and pumped through the non-potable irrigation (lake water) system to Felt Lake Reservoir for future irrigation on Stanford property. The captured runoff is metered for tracking with the other sources that contribute to the lake water system.

This additional water supply supplements other local supplies and reduces stormwater impacts to local surface waters, while providing regional stormwater management that satisfies requirements for new development and re-development on campus.

Take a tour of stormwater facilities at Stanford

West Campus Stormwater Capture and Use Facility