A P P E N D I X I S U B S U R F A C E D R A I N 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 7 I.S-14.

1
SUBSURFACE DRAIN

GENERAL
Subsurface drains are tiles, pipes, or tubes
installed below ground that collect and
transport stormwater to an outlet. They are
constructed from a variety of materials,
including plastic, clay, and concrete and may
be perforated to allow infiltration into the
surrounding soil. They are used in areas
with high water tables, poorly drained soils,
or on slopes to prevent saturation and to
remove the possibility of subsidence. They
may also be used in areas where vegetation is
needed to provide ground cover or as an
outlet for detention areas and other
structures with small drainage areas.
Subsurface drains should not be relied upon
to provide stormwater control by
themselves, however, as they are designed as
conveyance structures only and do not
enhance water quality. As a result, they
should be used in conjunction with other
management practices.
DESIGN
TYPES
There are two types of subsurface drainage
systems. Relief drains are used to lower the
water table to allow the growth of vegetation
or are used to remove surface water in the
direction of the slope. Interceptor drains are
used on slopes to prevent the soil from
becoming saturated and to prevent slippage.
They are placed across the slope and
generally drain to the side of the slope.
CAPACITY
The capacity of subsurface drains will
depend upon the individual characteristics of
the site, but should be large enough to
completely drain the basin it serves within 24
to 48 hours. To ensure proper drainage, the
conduit should be at least 3 inches in
diameter and provide a minimum flow
velocity of 0.5 feet per second. However, in
areas where sediment is present in the water
column in large quantities, the flow velocity














should be at least of 1.4 feet per second to prevent
sediment accumulation in the drain. Maximum flow
velocities vary depending upon soil type and are
listed below.

However, these flow velocities may be exceeded if a
continuous perforated pipe or tube, enclosed with a
geotextile filter fabric, is used. Perforations should
not exceed inch in diameter, and slotted
perforations should not be wider than 1/8 inch. The
geotextile prevents the soil surrounding the drain
from migrating into the conduit. The fabric selected
will depend upon the size of the particles
surrounding the conduit and should be durable
enough to last the life of the practice. In applications
where subsurface drains are used as outlets for
detention areas, geotextile filter fabric is
recommended for all discharge velocities due to the
potential for high sediment loads.






ADVANTAGES
Reduces the thermal impact of
stormwater
Improves drainage
DISADVANTAGES
Limited effectiveness enhancing water
quality
Cost
Has a tendency to plug
Maximum Flow Velocities Without
Protection
Soil Type
Maximum Flow
Velocity
(feet per second)
Sand, sandy loam 3.50
Silt, silt loam 5.00
Silty clay loam 6.00
Clay, clay loam 7.00
Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service
D A N E C O U N T Y E R O S I O N C O N T R O L A N D S T O R M W A T E R M A N A G E M E N T M A N U A L


I.S-14.2 A P P E N D I X I S U B S U R F A C E D R A I N 0 1 / 0 2 / 0 7
INSTALLATION
Subsurface drains should be installed in a
trench with a firm foundation to ensure
proper alignment. The sections of the
conduit should be supported on the sides
with suitable bedding material, which should
be properly placed and compacted. This
prevents the conduit from collapsing during
backfilling operations. All fittings and
couplers should be compatible with the
conduit material and should be installed
following the manufacturers specifications.
The trench should be free of stone or other
materials that are larger than 1.5 inches in
diameter. In applications where this is not
feasible, the trench should be overexcavated
by at least 6 inches and refilled to grade with
inch pea gravel or gravel screenings as
bedding material.

Envelopes are used around subsurface drains
as bedding material or to improve the flow
characteristics of groundwater. They are not
required to meet the gradation requirements
of the filter material, but should be large
enough so that it does not accumulate in the
drain.

In installations where it is necessary to install
the drain below the water table or on
unstable soils, special equipment,
procedures, and bedding material may be
required to prevent soil movement into the
conduit or from plugging the envelope
material.
OUTLETS
Subsurface drains should discharge through
a rigid, continuous, non-perforated pipe that
is free of joints and curves to a stable outlet
that is designed to handle the maximum flow of the
drain. The outlet should have the same invert
elevation as the drain and should follow the design
criteria for stone outlet protection (refer to Stone
Outlet Protection, pg. I.S-10.1).
CONSTRUCTION
Subsurface drains should be located at least 50
feet from trees to prevent damage to the
structure by roots
Installation should take place when the soil is as
dry as possible to minimize alignment and other
problems
The ends of the drain should be covered with a
trash rack and rodent protection to prevent
clogging
All materials should be thoroughly inspected for
quality before they are installed
Backfilling should be performed carefully to
avoid displacement, deflection, or damage to
the conduit
MAINTENANCE
Drains should be inspected periodically to
ensure that they are draining properly - all
repairs should be made immediately
METHOD TO DETERMINE PRACTICE
EFFICIENCY
Subsurface drains are designed as a conveyance
practice and do not significantly reduce the amount
of suspended sediment in stormwater runoff. As a
result, no efficiency is given for this practice.

SOURCES
1. National Catalog of Erosion and Sediment Control and Stormwater Management. Guidelines for Community
Assistance. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. Washington D.C.
1996.
2. Planning and Design Manual for the Control of Erosion, Sediment, and Stormwater. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Mississippi Department of Environmental
Quality. Washington, D.C. April 1994.
3. Protecting Water Quality in Urban Areas, A Manual. Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. St. Paul. 2000.