1 to 1000 Policy: Controlling Phosphorous Pollution from Tea Farms with Bioretention Cells

When implementing nonpoint source pollution control plans, the size or number of required controlling facilities is a very practical issue. However, quantifying nonpoint source pollution is difficult because it is generated by variable and random rainfall events. This study develops a two-stage optimization process to demonstrate the determination of the optimal bioretention cell size for tea farm pollution control. The optimization process was based on a verified watershed-scale model and a verified site-scale model. The verified watershed model was used to obtain total phosphorous (TP) reduction loads. Once the goal of watershed management was decided, the reduction loads were then allocated and the unit reduction loads were determined. Using the unit reduction loads, the verified tea farm model was used to assess the optimal bioretention cell size for tea farms. A case study using the Jinggualiao stream in the Feitsui Reservoir watershed, Taipei, Taiwan was presented. The results showed that the unit tea farm TP reduction loads were 270 g/ha-year and 326 g/ha-year to reach two water quality goals, and a total of 350 m(2) and 600 m(2) of bioretention cells were needed, respectively. A 1 to 1000 ratio of the standard bioretention cell area to the tea farm area is recommended as a general control rule.

Automated summary

This study develops a two-stage optimization process to determine the optimal bioretention cell size for tea farm pollution control. The process utilizes a verified watershed-scale model and a verified site-scale model to allocate and determine unit reduction loads. A case study in Taipei, Taiwan showed that unit tea farm TP reduction loads of 270 g/ha-year and 326 g/ha-year required bioretention cells of 350 m(2) and 600 m(2) respectively. A recommended general control rule is a 1 to 1000 ratio of standard bioretention cell area to tea farm area.