The traditional view of storm water management is to move water off-site as quickly as possible through storm sewers, paved channels, and waterways.  As water moves rapidly across these surfaces, it picks up debris and pollutants, as well as power and speed.  A sudden downpour can overwhelm the traditional storm sewer system, dumping polluted water into natural waterways at a speed that promotes erosion.

The job of bioswales is to slow the movement of storm water to prevent erosion, filter silt and pollutants, and retain the water on-site so it can be reabsorbed into the ground.  Bioswales are not only ecologically sound, they are cheaper than traditional storm sewers.

Bioswales are a beautiful alternative to traditional storm water management.  Everytime you see a ditch with standing water, just think, it could be lush with plants.  Instead of raised, curbed planting areas in parking lots, there could be bioswales.  Residential communities could capitalize on the drainage ditches along the road.  Instead of having to trim them with weed eaters, these areas could be full of plants.  Municipalities are also increasingly embracing the benefits of bioswales.

A bioswale is no place for a hothouse or greenhouse flower as it is no average landscape.  Plants used in bioswales must be able to tolerate standing water for several days followed by weeks of drought.  The deep roots of many native plants help them to funnel water back into the groundwater aquifier during storms and tap deep soil moisture in dry times.  Plants like blue flag iris, liatris, solidago, verbena hastate also provide color throughout the growing season.  It's not enough for bioswales to just do their job, they have to look good too.