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Stormwater Detention/Retention Basins

Wet ponds offer water quality and flood control benefits not typically associated with dry basins. They are among the most effective stormwater treatment practices at removing stormwater pollutants. Water contained in the permanent pool mixes with and dilutes the initial polluted runoff from storm events. Additionally, plants, algae, and bacteria in the water consume these pollutants thereby substantially reducing the total mass of pollutants downstream. Stormwater runoff is likely to contain harmful chemicals such as asbestos, copper, chromium, lead, nickel, phosphorous, zinc, oil, grease, herbicides and pesticides. Nonpoint source pollution is the biggest water quality concern in Central Kentucky. Stormwater runoff is a major component of nonpoint source water pollution and the local government (LFUCG) has encouraged all retention/detention basins to have plant materials/aquascaping to help in removing these caustics conditions and as an environmentally friendly approach to dealing with the algae problems.

The results of one study suggest that "pond front" property can increase the selling price of a new property by 10% (EPA, 1995). Another study found the perceived value (value estimates by the residents of a community) of homes increased by about 15-25% when located near a wet pond (Emmerling-Dinovo, 1995).