
When do you use a retention tank?
So when you need "contact time" (time for the water to stay in a tank with chlorine or other chemicals to do their job), retention tanks are the way to go. But if you are trying to store water for a weak producing well or other purpose.
What is a detention tank?
A detention tank, also called a retention tank, is an artificial flow-control structure that is used to contain stormwater and wastewater for a limited period of a time. The detention tank can be incorporated into the sewer network system at the wastewater treatment plant or at factories. A detention tank in the sewer network is used ...
What is the difference between stormwater detention and retention?
Retention tanks, on the other hand, permanently store water. Stormwater collected in retention tanks will later be recycled for purposes like irrigating gardens or flushing toilets. Detention systems can be installed either above ground or below ground.
How are stormwater detention tanks used to treat rainwater?
This will fully depend on the application. DETENTION TANKS. Detention tanks work by temporarily storing the rainwater runoff during a rainfall event and then slowly releasing the water through a controlled small diameter orifice into the public storm water system.

What is water retention tank?
Water Retention Tanks Water tanks are used to store water harvested from rooftops (rainwater) and/or hard surfaces on your property (stormwater). What makes them “retention” tanks, is that the water is retained to be used for one purpose or another, rather than simple allows to drain.
What is difference between detention and retention?
A good rule of thumb for distinguishing these types of systems is to remember that detention is temporary but retention is intended to be permanent.
What is the difference between a detention pond and a retention pond?
A detention, or dry, pond has an orifice level at the bottom of the basin and does not have a permanent pool of water. All the water runs out between storms and it usually remains dry. A retention basin or pond has a riser and orifice at a higher point and therefore retains a permanent pool of water.
What is a contact retention tank?
Retention Tanks are designed to provide extended contact time when adding chemicals into the water stream. They are perfect for chlorine, KmNO4, phosphate, or acid feeds, and more.
Do retention ponds smell?
Stop The Odor In Smelly Retention Ponds Stormwater retention basins can emit a variety of noxious odors. Most odors are associated with blue-green algae blooms generated within the pond except when source water is high in organic matter.
Can you swim in a retention pond?
Urban retention and detention ponds must be secured with fencing, signage, and more, to make it clear these water features are not safe for drinking, swimming, boating, or anything other activities.
Can you put fish in a retention pond?
Oil, trash and lawn fertilizer flow into them. That's one reason why retention pond fishermen practice strict catch-and-release. Despite the debris and runoff, though, fish seem to survive - even flourish - in these environments.
Is it good to live next to a retention pond?
While there are some advantages to living near a retention pond—peace and quiet, green space, fewer neighbors nearby, and a decreased risk of flooding—potential buyers have other factors to consider. For example, there is a constant danger of drowning for families with young children.
Does a retention pond add value to your home?
Retention ponds can actually add value to your property. Just like normal ponds, retention ponds are full of water year-round. With natural vegetation surrounding the basin to prevent erosion, they can actually look rather picturesque. In some cases, it's even safe to use retention ponds for recreational purposes.
What is the difference between detention tank and retention tank?
In short, a detention tank eases pressure on the public stormwater system infrastructure, and a retention tank eases pressure on public water mains supply system. Detention Tank: A detention tank is designed to live its life empty.
What size retention tank do I need?
In general we recommend that water storage tanks should be sized large enough to meet local fire code requirements plus an additional 2 days of water supply for your irrigation and household needs. The average American household with water efficient appliances uses, on average 70 gallons per person per day.
What is the purpose of a contact tank?
The chlorine contact tank provides primary disinfection in accordance with the surface water treatment rule. The chlorine contact tank was originally used for finished water storage. In 1997 it was baffled and converted into a chlorine contact tank to meet surface water treatment regulations for disinfection.
What is the difference between retention and detention tank?
Both tanks are used to collect rainwater or stormwater. However, a retention tank is designed to keep the water for use at a later date, while a detention tank eventually drains the water shortly after it is collected. For the purpose of clarity, it is worth distinguishing between rainwater and stormwater.
What is a retention system?
Retention is a key feature of Water Sensitive Design (WSD). Unlike traditional detention systems, which typically detain and discharge runoff from a single outlet pipe, retention systems allow stormwater runoff to be retained onsite and re-used for irrigation, water supply or percolated into the subsoils.
How does a detention tank work?
If you have a detention tank on your property, the water comes off the roof into the detention tank and then drains out slowly (via an orifice outlet) into the stormwater drains. Depending on what has been specified, the water may take hours to get into the drains.
What is stormwater detention system?
Stormwater detention is where rain water flowing across ground surface areas such as driveways, paths, pebble rock, and the like, or water otherwise headed for the stormwater drain, is captured and stored before being released.