About Low Impact Development (LID)

Low Impact Development (LID) is an approach to land development and stormwater management that emphasizes conservation, retention, and infiltration through the use of distributed, small-scale facilities integrated with natural features. In contrast to the typical approaches to stormwater management, the primary goal of LID is to mimic natural hydrology by managing stormwater at its source. LID designs typically focus on reducing impervious surfaces and maximizing on-site stormwater detention, infiltration, and evaporation.

Related links

• King County, Washington
  • Low Impact Development
  • Green Building tools
  • Surface Water Design Manual
  • Surface Water Design Manual, Appendix C, Small Project Drainage Requirements (includes LID options) (9MB .pdf)
• Puget Sound Action Team
  • Low Impact Development
  
  • LID Technical Guidance Manual
• Washington State Department of Transportation
  • Highway Runoff Manual (see Chapter 5) (12 MB.pdf)
• Washington State Department of Ecology
  • Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  • Low Impact Development
  • Low Impact Development (LID) Center
• University of Washington
  • The Water Center >

Updated: July 26, 2007