The Role of Street Cleaning on the Water-Quality Performance of a Stormwater Treatment Pond in Madison, Wisconsin
Links
- Document: Report (12 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Data Release: USGS data release - Stormwater treatment pond water-quality load and concentration data at Cherokee Park, Madison, Wisconsin, 2020–24
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the City of Madison, evaluated how street cleaning frequency influences the pollutant removal efficiency of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin (2020–24). Paired influent and effluent samples were analyzed for nutrients, sediment, and chloride under a weekly and monthly street cleaning scenario.
Results showed that less frequent cleaning (monthly frequency) led to higher pollutant accumulation on streets, increasing influent concentrations of nitrogen and sediment. This, in turn, allowed the pond to achieve higher overall load-reduction percentage compared to weekly cleaning, particularly for total suspended sediment, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. Dissolved phosphorus was an exception where removal was significantly greater under weekly cleaning. One explanation could be related to internal phosphorus release from pond sediments under anoxic conditions. Nearly all events showed net export of chloride from the pond, with effluent loads exceeding influent loads for both street cleaning frequencies.
Suggested Citation
Selbig, W.R., Thiboldeaux, S., and Gaebler, P., 2025, The role of street cleaning on the water-quality performance of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2025–5096, 17 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20255096.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results and Discussion
- Implications for Urban Stormwater Management
- Summary
- References Cited
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | The role of street cleaning on the water-quality performance of a stormwater treatment pond in Madison, Wisconsin |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2025-5096 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20255096 |
| Publication Date | September 29, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Upper Midwest Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: vi, 17 p.; Data Release |
| Country | United States |
| State | Wisconsin |
| City | Madison |
| Other Geospatial | Cherokee Park stormwater pond |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | N |