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Stormwater Management

Arcosa Lightweight’s expanded shale and clay aggregates offer a versatile solution for stormwater management, facilitating the creation of rain gardens, bioswales, permeable pavements, and constructed wetlands.
The aggregates’ high porosity and void spaces create an environment conducive to microbial action, which naturally filters pollutants and improves water quality, supporting sustainable stormwater management practices.

Key Benefits

Arcosa Lightweight aggregates enhance stormwater systems by providing high water retention, supporting pollutant filtration through microbial action, and improving soil aeration for vegetation.

Enhanced Filtration and Pollutant Removal

The unique structure of Arcosa’s aggregates provides extensive surface area for microbial activity, improving the removal of suspended solids, hydrocarbons, metals, nitrogen, and phosphorus from stormwater.

High Water Storage Capacity and Drainage

With their large interstitial spaces, Arcosa aggregates retain and slowly release water, reducing runoff volume and controlling flow rates. This water retention makes them ideal for rain gardens, vegetated filter strips, and rain basins.

Support for Green Infrastructure and Plant Health

Arcosa aggregates can be incorporated into engineered soils, supporting vegetation while providing structural stability for heavy loads. These soils enhance stormwater infiltration and allow emergency vehicle access in vegetated areas.

Featured Case Studies

Lightweight Brings Exceptional Particulate Filtration to Subsurface Stormwater Chambers

The use of lightweight aggregates in stormwater management systems is gaining attention for their enhanced filtration capabilities and ability to address environmental concerns like phosphorus (P) runoff. One example is the $5-million Airport MINI of Cleveland dealership located in Brook Park, Ohio, which incorporates expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) aggregates to improve the performance of its stormwater management system.

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Expanded Shale Ideal for Constructed Wetlands in Pennsylvania Botanical Gardens

Expanded shale is a key component in the stormwater and sanitary water management system at Pittsburgh’s Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes uses expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) extensively in constructed wetlands to treat all the sanitary water on-site. In addition, rain gardens, lagoons, and rooftop gardens featuring ESCS media capture and filter all the stormwater, ensuring that none of the water leaves the site.

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How Arcosa Lightweight
Works in Stormwater Management

Filtration and Microbial Action

Arcosa aggregates provide an ideal environment for microbes, which break down pollutants, enhancing the quality of stormwater passing through the system.

High Porosity and Water Retention

Their porous structure holds and releases water gradually, helping to regulate flow and prevent overloading in storm events.

Supports Vegetation in Engineered Soils

Arcosa’s aggregates are perfect for integrating into soil blends for green infrastructure, balancing water retention with drainage and maintaining plant health.

Why Choose Arcosa Lightweight for Stormwater Mamnagement?

  • Sustainable and Natural Filtration: Arcosa aggregates improve stormwater quality by filtering pollutants and supporting green infrastructure.
  • Versatile and Durable: From rain gardens to permeable pavements, Arcosa aggregates are adaptable and resilient, providing long-term stormwater solutions.
  • Enhanced Green Space Design: Arcosa’s aggregates support vegetation and offer structural stability, combining aesthetics with functionality in urban landscapes.

Ask our Expert: 1-800-342-LITE

Paul Altznauer, with 28 years of experience in the green industry and a degree in horticulture, brings a blend of practical expertise and academic knowledge to his work. Passionate about plants and environmental sustainability, he excels in areas such as landscape design, plant cultivation, and eco-friendly gardening practices.