A STUDY OF A PERCOLATION BASIN IN COLD CLIMATE
Infiltration facilities have become more common during recent years due to problems associated with the conventional storm watersystems, such as overflows and the release of pollutants into receiving waters. In northern Sweden, stormwater pipes and manholes have often been damaged by frost heave and ice formations, resulting in overflows during the snow melt period. In this study, the performance of a percolation basin during the snow melt period was compared with results obtained during summer and autumn conditions. Complementary investigations were performed in a constant climate room, with the aim of observing the formation of ice within a model basin. The higher viscosity of melt water (0°C), compared with rain water, decreased the capacity of the percolation basin, suggesting that the snow melt flow should be considered in the design. The laboratory study indicated a minor risk of complete ice blockages within the basin (infiltration pipe or basin fills), at temperatures higher than -8°C around the infiltration pipe, during the beginning of the snow melt period.