Project Details

The Kaufman Cancer Center in Bel Air, Maryland, underwent a major expansion to enhance its facilities and better serve the community. As part of the project, a larger parking lot was needed to accommodate increased traffic. However, with limited space available, the project team faced a critical challenge: how to meet stormwater management requirements without sacrificing valuable parking spots.

Traditional bioretention systems would have significantly reduced the parking area due to their large footprint. The solution required a space-efficient, high-performance stormwater system that aligned with environmental regulations and preserved as much usable surface as possible.

What Convergent Water Technologies Provided

Convergent Water Technologies supplied a comprehensive stormwater management solution centered around the FocalPoint High-Performance Modular Biofiltration System (HPMBS). Designed to deliver the same treatment performance as traditional systems in a fraction of the space, FocalPoint enabled the team to maximize parking lot capacity without compromising environmental goals.

The system also included:

• R-Tank Stormwater Modules for underground storage and channel protection
• Rain Guardian Turrets for effective pre-treatment and sediment capture
• Fabco Beehive Overflow Filters to manage high-volume storm events
• Mulch, gravel, and native plantings to support nutrient uptake and provide an attractive finish

These elements worked together to form a modular, scalable, and low-maintenance stormwater solution that seamlessly integrated with the parking lot’s design.

Why the Kaufman Cancer Center Chose FocalPoint

The development team selected FocalPoint and complementary technologies for several reasons:

• Space Efficiency – FocalPoint’s footprint is up to 80% smaller than traditional bioretention systems and reduces ponding areas by 50%, allowing for more parking spaces.
• Stormwater Compliance – The system was engineered to meet BMP requirements while ensuring long-term performance and resilience.
• Modular Design – With three parking sites split into 12 segments, the flexibility of the FocalPoint system made it ideal for phased, efficient installation.
• Subsurface Storage – 2,062 R-Tank modules provided robust underground detention to prevent flooding and support channel protection.
• Aesthetic Integration – Once construction was complete, mulch, plantings, and gravel were added to create a landscaped appearance that concealed the infrastructure and complemented the medical facility’s environment.

Results

The installation included 1,078 square feet of FocalPoint biofiltration, paired with robust pre-treatment and overflow protection. During construction, geotextiles were used to protect the system from sediment until final activation.

Thanks to FocalPoint’s high-flow performance and small footprint, the project successfully maximized parking availability while meeting all stormwater management goals. The outcome is a high-performing, low-maintenance system that supports both patient convenience and environmental responsibility.