Sustainable drainage can be implemented in areas that require stormwater management to regulate runoff velocity and decontaminate runoff. Sustainable drains are created to handle the first discharge of pollutants during the rainfall event, therefore locations that have high areas of impervious surface such as roads, parking lots or rooftops can benefit from the addition of sustainable drains. They can also be integrated into road medians, curbs, sidewalks or any public space.[3]​.

Sustainable drains are useful low-impact development work "Low Impact Development (United States and Canada)") to slow stormwater runoff while removing pollutants from the discharge. They are extremely beneficial in protecting surface waters and local waterways from excessive pollution from stormwater runoff. The longer runoff remains within sustainable drains, the better the pollutant removal result. It is also beneficial to eliminate ponds that could attract mosquitoes. Sustainable drains can also be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and attract animals and create habitats. Sustainable drainage can also be beneficial for groundwater recharge.[4]​.

Inadequate maintenance can lead to high restoration costs to address inefficient sustainable drains. An accumulation of large sediments, litter and inadequate vegetation growth can affect the quality and performance of sustainable drains. It is beneficial in the planning stages to separate easements to allow easier maintenance of sustainable drains, whether it is adequate space to locate machinery or the safety of people working. Different types of filters can be used to capture sediment. Grass filter strips or rock inlets can be used to filter sediment and particles; However, without proper maintenance, runoff could flow outside of sustainable drains due to clogging. Structural inlets have become more common due to their ease of maintenance, use, and effectiveness. By avoiding the use of floating mulch and selecting low-maintenance plants that best adapt, greater efficiency in sustainable drainage is ensured.[5]​ Depending on a community's needs for sustainable drainage, a four-step evaluation program can be developed. Visual inspection, capacity testing, synthetic runoff and monitoring are the four steps that can be used to evaluate the performance and maintenance of sustainable drains.

Routine inspection is required to ensure that the performance and aesthetics of sustainable drains are not compromised. The timing and frequency of inspections vary between different local governments, but they should be carried out at least once a year. Various aspects of the inspection can be carried out, either visually or mechanically. Visual observation of vegetation, water and water intakes is crucial to ensure performance. Some organizations use checklists to streamline the visual inspection process.[6]​.

There are different methods to determine if a sustainable drainage needs maintenance. Sustainable drains are evaluated to meet a specific infiltration level to determine if maintenance is required. A level indicator is used to measure the infiltration rate. Soil chemistry tests are also required to determine if the soil has a certain level out of any contaminants. Phosphorus and high levels of salinity in the soil are two common contaminants that must be addressed. Analysis of input and output pollutant concentration is also another way to determine the performance level of sustainable drains.

Maintenance can encompass up to three different levels of care. Aesthetic maintenance is necessary to eliminate weeds that affect the performance of other plants and the sustainable drainage itself, clean and remove trash, and maintain the appearance of the vegetation. Partial restoration is necessary when the entrance is blocked by sediment or when vegetation needs to be replaced. Complete restoration is required when sustainable drains no longer adequately filter contaminants and overall performance is very poor.

Sustainable drainages experience short and potentially intense periods of rainfall, flooding and pollutant loading, followed by dry seasons. It is important to consider how the vegetation selected for sustainable drainages will grow and understand what types of plants are considered most suitable.

There are four types of biofences that can be built depending on the needs of the place.[7]​.

• - Sustainable short grass drains use low growing grasses that can be landscaped, similar to lawns. These types of biofences tend to be less effective than sustainable vegetated drains in treating stormwater runoff and maintaining adequate collection time.

• - Sustainable vegetal drainages are created with taller growing plants, ornamental vegetations, shrubs and even trees. These types can also be lined with rocks to slow down stormwater runoff that is flowing through sustainable drains to increase collection time for decontamination. Sustainable vegetated drains can also include vegetation that is highly useful for removing certain chemicals in runoff very efficiently.

• - Sustainable, low-water drains are useful in areas that tend to be drier with a warmer climate. Xeriscape sustainable drains are populated with runoff generally only after rains and storms and remain dry otherwise.

• - Sustainable wet drains are similar to wetlands in that they retain water for a much longer period of time allowing infiltration of stormwater rather than simply emptying the water at the end of the sustainable drain into storm drain intakes.

Sustainable drainage requires a certain soil composition that contains no more than 5% clay. The soil itself before application should not be contaminated. Sustainable drains should be constructed with a longitudinal slope to allow sediment to settle. The maximum slope of sustainable drainage is 3:1. Minimal authorization is required to ensure that other infrastructure is not damaged. The overfill drain must be located at least 6 inches above ground level to allow maximum concentration of stormwater runoff time into sustainable drains. Rocks can also be used to slow the rate of runoff. The use of filters is important to prevent inlets from being blocked by sediment or debris.

Two early examples of scientifically designed sustainable drains for large-scale applications are found in the western United States. In 1996 for Willamette River Park in Portland, Oregon, a total of 2,330 linear feet (710.18 meters) of sustainable drainage was designed and installed to capture and prevent polluting runoff from entering the Willamette River. Intermittent check dams were installed to further facilitate sediment capture, reducing suspended solids entering the river system by 50%.[8]​.

A second example of a large-scale designed sustainable drainage is found in the Carneros Business Park, Sonoma County, California. Beginning in 1997, the project design team worked with the California Department of Fish and Game and Sonoma County to produce a detailed design to channel surface runoff around the perimeter of a large parking area. Surface runoff consists of runoff from building roofs, runoff from parking lots, and terrestrial runoff from properties to the north of the project site. A total of two linear miles (3.21 km) of sustainable drainage was designed within the project. The purpose of sustainable drainage was to minimize runoff pollutants entering Sonoma Creek. The sustainable drainage channel is covered with grass and has an almost linear shape. The downslope gradient is approximately 4% and the cross slope gradient is approximately 6%.[9]​.

A relatively recent project established was the Seattle, Washington Street Edge Alternatives (SEA) project, completed in 2001. Instead of using traditional pipelines, SEA's goal was to create a natural landscape that represented what the area was like before development. The street was 11% more permeable than a standard street and featured evergreen trees and sustainable drainage. The sustainable drains were planted on stepped slopes with wetland and upland plants. Other landscaping activities also focused on native and salmon-friendly plants. The SEA provided a strong stormwater runoff mitigation benefit that helped continue to protect the ecology of the Seattle Creek. The project street also created a more attractive and aesthetically pleasing site rather than a harsh landscape.[10]​.

• - Bioretention.

• - Infiltration.

• - Infiltrating garden.

• - Riparian zone (course) "Riparian zone (course)").

• - Land pollution.

• - Rainwater.

• - Urban runoff.

• - Water-sensitive urban design.

• - Combating Climate Change with Landscape Architecture Resource Guide.

• - Sustainable Residential Design: Improving Water Efficiency.

Sustainable drainage can be implemented in areas that require stormwater management to regulate runoff velocity and decontaminate runoff. Sustainable drains are created to handle the first discharge of pollutants during the rainfall event, therefore locations that have high areas of impervious surface such as roads, parking lots or rooftops can benefit from the addition of sustainable drains. They can also be integrated into road medians, curbs, sidewalks or any public space.[3]​.

Sustainable drains are useful low-impact development work "Low Impact Development (United States and Canada)") to slow stormwater runoff while removing pollutants from the discharge. They are extremely beneficial in protecting surface waters and local waterways from excessive pollution from stormwater runoff. The longer runoff remains within sustainable drains, the better the pollutant removal result. It is also beneficial to eliminate ponds that could attract mosquitoes. Sustainable drains can also be designed to be aesthetically pleasing and attract animals and create habitats. Sustainable drainage can also be beneficial for groundwater recharge.[4]​.

Inadequate maintenance can lead to high restoration costs to address inefficient sustainable drains. An accumulation of large sediments, litter and inadequate vegetation growth can affect the quality and performance of sustainable drains. It is beneficial in the planning stages to separate easements to allow easier maintenance of sustainable drains, whether it is adequate space to locate machinery or the safety of people working. Different types of filters can be used to capture sediment. Grass filter strips or rock inlets can be used to filter sediment and particles; However, without proper maintenance, runoff could flow outside of sustainable drains due to clogging. Structural inlets have become more common due to their ease of maintenance, use, and effectiveness. By avoiding the use of floating mulch and selecting low-maintenance plants that best adapt, greater efficiency in sustainable drainage is ensured.[5]​ Depending on a community's needs for sustainable drainage, a four-step evaluation program can be developed. Visual inspection, capacity testing, synthetic runoff and monitoring are the four steps that can be used to evaluate the performance and maintenance of sustainable drains.

Routine inspection is required to ensure that the performance and aesthetics of sustainable drains are not compromised. The timing and frequency of inspections vary between different local governments, but they should be carried out at least once a year. Various aspects of the inspection can be carried out, either visually or mechanically. Visual observation of vegetation, water and water intakes is crucial to ensure performance. Some organizations use checklists to streamline the visual inspection process.[6]​.

There are different methods to determine if a sustainable drainage needs maintenance. Sustainable drains are evaluated to meet a specific infiltration level to determine if maintenance is required. A level indicator is used to measure the infiltration rate. Soil chemistry tests are also required to determine if the soil has a certain level out of any contaminants. Phosphorus and high levels of salinity in the soil are two common contaminants that must be addressed. Analysis of input and output pollutant concentration is also another way to determine the performance level of sustainable drains.

Maintenance can encompass up to three different levels of care. Aesthetic maintenance is necessary to eliminate weeds that affect the performance of other plants and the sustainable drainage itself, clean and remove trash, and maintain the appearance of the vegetation. Partial restoration is necessary when the entrance is blocked by sediment or when vegetation needs to be replaced. Complete restoration is required when sustainable drains no longer adequately filter contaminants and overall performance is very poor.

Sustainable drainages experience short and potentially intense periods of rainfall, flooding and pollutant loading, followed by dry seasons. It is important to consider how the vegetation selected for sustainable drainages will grow and understand what types of plants are considered most suitable.

There are four types of biofences that can be built depending on the needs of the place.[7]​.

• - Sustainable short grass drains use low growing grasses that can be landscaped, similar to lawns. These types of biofences tend to be less effective than sustainable vegetated drains in treating stormwater runoff and maintaining adequate collection time.

• - Sustainable vegetal drainages are created with taller growing plants, ornamental vegetations, shrubs and even trees. These types can also be lined with rocks to slow down stormwater runoff that is flowing through sustainable drains to increase collection time for decontamination. Sustainable vegetated drains can also include vegetation that is highly useful for removing certain chemicals in runoff very efficiently.

• - Sustainable, low-water drains are useful in areas that tend to be drier with a warmer climate. Xeriscape sustainable drains are populated with runoff generally only after rains and storms and remain dry otherwise.

• - Sustainable wet drains are similar to wetlands in that they retain water for a much longer period of time allowing infiltration of stormwater rather than simply emptying the water at the end of the sustainable drain into storm drain intakes.

Sustainable drainage requires a certain soil composition that contains no more than 5% clay. The soil itself before application should not be contaminated. Sustainable drains should be constructed with a longitudinal slope to allow sediment to settle. The maximum slope of sustainable drainage is 3:1. Minimal authorization is required to ensure that other infrastructure is not damaged. The overfill drain must be located at least 6 inches above ground level to allow maximum concentration of stormwater runoff time into sustainable drains. Rocks can also be used to slow the rate of runoff. The use of filters is important to prevent inlets from being blocked by sediment or debris.

Two early examples of scientifically designed sustainable drains for large-scale applications are found in the western United States. In 1996 for Willamette River Park in Portland, Oregon, a total of 2,330 linear feet (710.18 meters) of sustainable drainage was designed and installed to capture and prevent polluting runoff from entering the Willamette River. Intermittent check dams were installed to further facilitate sediment capture, reducing suspended solids entering the river system by 50%.[8]​.

A second example of a large-scale designed sustainable drainage is found in the Carneros Business Park, Sonoma County, California. Beginning in 1997, the project design team worked with the California Department of Fish and Game and Sonoma County to produce a detailed design to channel surface runoff around the perimeter of a large parking area. Surface runoff consists of runoff from building roofs, runoff from parking lots, and terrestrial runoff from properties to the north of the project site. A total of two linear miles (3.21 km) of sustainable drainage was designed within the project. The purpose of sustainable drainage was to minimize runoff pollutants entering Sonoma Creek. The sustainable drainage channel is covered with grass and has an almost linear shape. The downslope gradient is approximately 4% and the cross slope gradient is approximately 6%.[9]​.

A relatively recent project established was the Seattle, Washington Street Edge Alternatives (SEA) project, completed in 2001. Instead of using traditional pipelines, SEA's goal was to create a natural landscape that represented what the area was like before development. The street was 11% more permeable than a standard street and featured evergreen trees and sustainable drainage. The sustainable drains were planted on stepped slopes with wetland and upland plants. Other landscaping activities also focused on native and salmon-friendly plants. The SEA provided a strong stormwater runoff mitigation benefit that helped continue to protect the ecology of the Seattle Creek. The project street also created a more attractive and aesthetically pleasing site rather than a harsh landscape.[10]​.

• - Bioretention.

• - Infiltration.

• - Infiltrating garden.

• - Riparian zone (course) "Riparian zone (course)").

• - Land pollution.

• - Rainwater.

• - Urban runoff.

• - Water-sensitive urban design.

• - Combating Climate Change with Landscape Architecture Resource Guide.

• - Sustainable Residential Design: Improving Water Efficiency.