Low-impact development (U.S. and Canada)
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Low-impact development (LID) is a term used in Canada and the United States to describe a land planning and engineering design approach to manage stormwater runoff as part of green infrastructure. LID emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality. This approach implements engineered small-scale hydrologic controls to replicate the pre-development hydrologic regime of watersheds through infiltrating, filtering, storing, evaporating, and detaining runoff close to its source.[1] Green infrastructure investments are one approach that often yields multiple benefits and builds city resilience.[2]
Broadly equivalent terms used elsewhere include Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) in the United Kingdom (where LID has a different meaning), water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) in Australia, natural drainage systems in Seattle, Washington,[3] "Environmental Site Design" as used by the Maryland Department of the Environment,[4] and "Onsite Stormwater Management", as used by the Washington State Department of Ecology.[5]