BMPFast is a software for the annual assessment of stormwater Best Management Practices
(BMPs) that are used for water quality control. It uses Florida-based
regulations and professional practice existing in January 2026. It is recognized that it is
used for the assessment of a design and for the discovery of other options to meet performance
standards. As such, it should not be used for design.
Beyond the design limitation, there are other known limitations inherent to the software,
and some are being targeted for future work in the development of BMPFast. The
priority of these is based on user feedback. We have no immediate ones as of March
31, 2026, but we know of the creativity of the users and expect changes and improvements
in the future.
It is noted that within the software are “error catches” to help complete the assessment in a
timely way. Some obvious examples are the upper and lower bounds of a curve
number (CN), calculations for composite CN in disconnecting impervious areas, fraction
numbers (have to be positive and not greater than one), and others. Others are not as
obvious and include the calculation of a BMP area to always be less than or equal to the
catchment area, multiple routing checks to ensure the flow of water is not upstream, and
the sum of catchment pervious and DCIA areas must equal the total, to mention a few.
With the discovery process, multiple iterations (software runs) may have to be used. An
example is that a starting design BMP size must never be assumed to be used in the
final assessment to meet a performance standard. This is usually not a problem if all
the input data and results for an assessment are submitted at the same time. This is
done using the BMPFast saved file (with file extender saved as a .bmpt file). Every
effort was made to keep the information in one file and to “sign” each report with the
version of the software, as well as the user’s email address and the name of the project.
Those who register for the course and have downloaded the BMPFast software will
receive notices of updates to the software and learning modules.
Finally, all inputs cannot be validated as to their applicability. Thus, it is the user
responsibility to enter all data and interpret the results consistently with the regulations
and professional practice.