What is Low Impact Development (LID)?
Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management approach that mimics nature’s hydrologic cycle by designing new development to slow down stormwater runoff (attenuation), increase groundwater recharge (infiltration), and reduce pollutant loads in stormwater runoff by filtering water through plants and soils (treatment). LID strategies include many techniques to reduce stormwater runoff from developed land, including:
rain gardens
![rain garden Rain garden with small plants, two trees, surrounded by mulch](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_rain_garden.jpg?itok=16OwQAFp×tamp=1709077300)
stream buffers
![stream buffers Stream buffer, a natural area adjacent the creek remains free of development](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_stream_buffer.jpg?itok=VJaDoedN×tamp=1709077993)
rainwater cisterns
![rainwater cistern Cistern for rainwater harvesting](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_cistern.jpg?itok=VCbPBfYY×tamp=1709077419)
tree planting
![tree planting Young newly planted native trees protected by chicken wire](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_tree_planting.jpg?itok=4_n0Q3e4×tamp=1709077684)
green roofs
![green roof green roof on a building; roof is covered by vegetation](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_green_roof.jpg?itok=R1zuqiHL×tamp=1709077508)
pervious pavement
![pervious pavement Permeable pavers with gaps between the pavers](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_pervious_pavement.jpg?itok=0SN1z_1p×tamp=1709077796)
native plant landscaping
![native plant landscaping Small native plants protected from trampling by wooden stakes and rope fence](https://creeks.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/styles/openberkeley_image_full/public/general/lid_native_plant.jpg?itok=16oEJBu0×tamp=1709077556)
LID Projects on the UC Berkeley Campus
The booklet, Reinventing Stormwater: A Tour of the UC Berkeley Campus, highlights innovative design features of LID water infrastructures on campus.
LID Regulations
As of July 1, 2015, UC Berkeley is required to treat stormwater from new development and redevelopment using LID techniques.
LID Resources
Check out these CASQA guidelines on how to design and build stormwater treatment facilities.
There are many LID resources out there on the web. Here are just a few to get you started: