Identifying potential uses for green roof discharge based on its physical-chemical-microbiological quality.

Green roofs are promising tools in sustainable urban planning, offering benefits such as stormwater management, energy savings, aesthetic appeal, and recreational spaces. They play a crucial role in creating sustainable and resilient cities, providing both environmental and economic advantages. Despite these benefits, concerns persist about their impact on water quality, especially for non-potable use, as conflicting results are found in the literature. This study presents a comparative analysis of the quantity and quality of water drained from an extensive green roof against an adjacent conventional rooftop made of fiber-cement tiles in subtropical Brazil. Over a 14-month period, the water drained from both roofs was evaluated based on physical (turbidity, apparent color, true color, electrical conductivity, total solids, total dissolved solids, suspended solids), chemical (pH, phosphate, total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, chlorides, sulfates, and BOD), microbiological (total coliforms and E. coli), and metal (copper, iron, zinc, lead, and chrome) concentration parameters. The discharge from the green roof was 40% lower than its counterpart measured at the control roof, while the water quality from both roofs was quite similar. However, the green roof acted as source of chlorides, electrical conductivity, color, BOD, total hardness, E. coli, phosphate, sulfate, and turbidity. On the other side, the green roof neutralized the slightly acidic character of rainwater, showcasing its potential to mitigate the effects of acid rain. The study's results underscored that the water discharged from the green roof generally aligned with non-potable standards mandated by both Brazilian and international regulations. However, the findings emphasized the imperative need for pre-treatment of the green roof discharge before its utilization, specifically adjusting parameters like turbidity, BOD, total coliforms, and E. coli, which were identified as crucial to ensure water safety and compliance with non-potable use standards.

Rooftop water harvesting for managed aquifer recharge and flood mitigation in tropical cities: Towards a strategy of co-benefit evaluations in João Pessoa, northeast Brazil.

Intense urbanisation in many coastal areas has led to intensification of groundwater consumption, while reducing permeable areas and increasing the frequency and magnitude of flooding. Among the potential strategies to compensate for these adverse effects, which are expected to become worse as a result of climate change, rooftop rainwater harvesting (RWH) in combination with managed aquifer recharge (MAR), may be indicated. This work investigated the performance of different configurations of such a system, tested as a twofold sustainable stormwater and domestic water management tool in a tropical metropole (João Pessoa, Brazil). This area located over a sedimentary aquifer system illustrates the water security challenges of densely urbanised areas in southern cities. To that end, several configurations of rooftop catchments and storage volumes were evaluated, by simulating a MAR-RWH system connected to the regional unconfined aquifer (Barreiras Formation) through a 6″ diameter injection well. Rainfall-runoff-recharge processes and water balances were simulated using monitored high-temporal resolution rainfall data. The results showed that catchments ranging from 180 to 810 m2, connected to tanks from 0.5 to 30.0 m³, are the optimal solutions in terms of efficient rainwater retention and peak flow reduction. These solutions provided mean annual estimates of aquifer recharge between 57 and 255 m³/yr from 2004 to 2019. The results of this study highlight the opportunity for MAR schemes to reconcile stormwater management and water supply goals.

Avaliação de bacias de detenção de águas pluviais implantadas no município de São Carlos (SP), Brasil / Assessment of rainwater detention basins located in the municipality of São Carlos (SP), Brazil

RESUMO O processo de urbanização e a impermeabilização do solo provocam alterações no balanço hídrico, gerando maior percentagem de escoamento superficial, com o aumento da frequência e da magnitude de inundações. Para mitigar esses impactos, podem ser implantadas bacias de detenção (BD) que diminuem os picos de vazão. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar as BD implantadas no município de São Carlos (SP), por meio de variáveis relativas a aspectos físicos, de gestão e integração urbana (posição, isolamento, conservação, uso, enchimento/ esvaziamento, processos construtivos, manutenção, custos). Para tanto, foram realizadas visitas in loco a cada uma das 26 unidades identificadas, em momentos com e sem evento de precipitação. Também foram consultados os projetos de drenagem e foram feitas entrevistas com agentes envolvidos. Como resultado, observou-se que todas as unidades previam somente a função hidrológica, que vem sendo atendida na medida em que ocorre o enchimento e posterior esvaziamento por meio de orifício de fundo em menos de 24 horas (exceto em três casos onde somente há infiltração no solo). Não há preocupação de integração com o espaço urbano nem de se encontrarem outros usos para o espaço ocupado pelas unidades. Observou-se uma tendência de falta de manutenção frequente, com crescimento excessivo de vegetação, principalmente naquelas sob gestão pública. Os custos obtidos de implantação variaram em torno de valores mencionados na literatura. Mesmo considerando que o controle hidrológico está sendo atendido, recomendam-se melhorias quanto à manutenção, bem como uma mudança de paradigma na concepção das BD, que passe a prever usos múltiplos.

ABSTRACT The accelerated urbanization process, together with a disordered occupation of the land, causes changes in the water balance, generating a greater percentage of surface runoff and increasing the frequency and magnitude of floods. As a measure to mitigate these impacts, detention basins (DB) are implemented in the urban environment to reduce the peak flow. This study aimed to evaluate the DB built in São Carlos (SP), Brazil, through established variables related to physical as well as management and urban integration aspects (position, insulation, conservation, use, filling/emptying, construction processes, maintenance, costs). For this purpose, on-site visits were made to each of the 26 identified units, with or without precipitation events. Drainage projects were also consulted and interviews were conducted with agents involved in the issue. Results showed that all units serve only a hydrological function, through the filling and subsequent emptying of stored water by means of a bottom hole in less than 24 hours (except in three cases where there is only soil infiltration). There is no concern about integration with the urban space or about finding other uses for the space occupied by the units. There is a tendency of lack of frequent maintenance, with excessive vegetation growth, especially in units under public management. The costs of implementation vary around values mentioned in the literature (between R$ 50 and R$ 25/m3). Although hydrological control is being provided, improvements in maintenance are recommended, as well as a paradigm shift in design that allows for multiple uses for DB.

Development and modelling of realistic retrofitted Nature-based Solution scenarios to reduce flood occurrence at the catchment scale.

Decentralized Nature-based Solutions such as Urban Green Infrastructures (UGI) are increasingly promoted to reduce flooding in urban areas. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of flood control of UGI at a plot or neighbourhood level. Modelling approaches that extrapolate their flood reducing impact to larger catchment scales are often based on a simplistic assumption of different percentages of UGI implementation. Additionally, such approaches typically do not consider the suitable space for UGI and potential implementation constraints. This study proposes a scenario development and modelling approach for a more realistic upscaling of UGI based on empirical insights from a representative neighbourhood. The results from this study, conducted in the metropolitan area of Costa Rica, show that upscaling the full potential for UGI could significantly reduce surface runoff, peak flows, and flood volumes. In particular, the permeable pavement has the highest potential for flood reducing in public space while cisterns perform best at the property level. These results can guide the formation of policies that promote UGI.

Modelagem da drenagem urbana e avaliação das cargas bacteriológicas na Vertente Marítima de Fortaleza, Ceará / Urban drainage modeling and evaluation of bacteriological loads in the Vertente Marítima of Fortaleza, Ceará

RESUMO Os sistemas de drenagem urbana podem representar fontes de aporte de poluentes aos corpos receptores aos quais se destinam. Diante disso, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo propor uma ferramenta para modelagem do sistema de drenagem urbana da bacia da Vertente Marítima de Fortaleza, Ceará, visando à avaliação das cargas bacteriológicas. Para esse fim, foi selecionado o stormwater management model (SWMM) para as simulações hidrológicas e hidráulicas; propôs-se uma metodologia para o cálculo das cargas bacteriológicas por meio da estimativa da carga difusa [CD] (NMP. dia-1.ha-1) e para a correlação desta com uma série de variáveis hidroambientais; e analisaram-se cenários para diferentes condições de precipitação pluviométrica, coleta de esgoto e resíduos sólidos dispostos inadequadamente (RSDI). Os resultados mostraram que o SWMM oferece respostas representativas e que o período chuvoso é responsável pelo maior aporte da carga bacteriológica à orla. Em relação ao modelo preditivo, foi ajustada uma função de potência de segunda ordem correlacionando CD com a precipitação média mensal (mm.dia-1) para as três sub-bacias analisadas. Posteriormente, os coeficientes das equações encontradas foram correlacionados ao indicador RSDI (kg.dia-1), obtendo-se um ajuste logarítmico (R2 = 0,99), com o qual é possível gerar uma equação de estimativa de CD para qualquer sub-bacia da Vertente Marítima. A análise dos cenários mostrou haver aumento significativo da carga em precipitações extremas (2 vezes) e diminuição considerável com a elevação da fração da população interligada à rede de esgoto, bem como diminuição da produção de RSDI (0,28 e 0,38 vezes do valor inicial nos Riachos Jacarecanga e Maceió, respectivamente).

ABSTRACT Urban drainage systems can represent sources of pollutants input to the receiving bodies for which they are intended. Therefore, the present work aims to propose a tool for modeling the urban drainage system of the Vertente Marítima basin of Fortaleza, Ceará, aiming at the evaluation of bacteriological loads. For this purpose, the Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) was selected for the hydrological and hydraulic simulations; a methodology for the calculation of bacteriological loads was proposed by estimating the diffuse load [DL] (MPN, day-1.ha-1) and its correlation with a series of hydro-environmental variables and scenarios for different pluviometry precipitation conditions were analyzed, as well as sewage collection and inadequately disposed solid waste (IDSW). The results show that SWMM gives representative results and that the rainy season is responsible for the greater contribution of the bacteriological load to the seafront. Regarding the predictive model, a second-order potential function was adjusted by correlating DL with the average monthly precipitation (mm.day-1) for the three sub-basins analyzed. Subsequently, the coefficients of the equations found were correlated to IDSW (kg.day-1), obtaining a logarithmic adjustment (R2 = 0.99), with which it is possible to obtain a DL estimation equation for any sub-basin of Vertente Marítima. An analysis of the scenarios showed a significant increase of the load in extreme precipitations (twice) and a considerable decrease with the increase of the fraction of the population connected to the sewage network and the decrease of IDSW production (0.28 and 0.38 times the initial value in the Jacarecanga and Maceió Stream, respectively).

A evolução histórica da drenagem urbana: da drenagem tradicional à sintonia com a natureza / The historical evolution of urban drainage: from traditional drainage to harmony with nature

RESUMO No Brasil, mais de 80% da população brasileira vive em cidades. Como consequência desse crescimento populacional, há impermeabilização do solo, ocupação das faixas marginais de proteção dos rios, desmatamentos, canalização de rios, quantidade crescente de resíduos sólidos que são jogados nesses corpos hídricos, dentre outras. Quando ocorre grande precipitação pluvial, os corpos hídricos transbordam provocando inundações com danos materiais, humanos, ambientais que impactam a saúde da população. No mundo, 20 milhões de pessoas sofrem anualmente com enchentes. O Brasil ocupa a 11ª colocação no ranking com 270 mil pessoas atingidas pelas inundações. Este artigo, pesquisa histórica, descritiva com pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, faz uma reflexão da evolução do processo de manejo de águas pluviais urbanas desde a fase da drenagem tradicional, com a implantação de medidas estruturais e não estruturais com o propósito de afastar as águas, passando pela drenagem sustentável, quando, com intuito de retardar o fluxo das águas são construídos reservatórios subterrâneos até a fase atual quando são propostas soluções baseadas ou em sintonia com a natureza, com estruturas cinzas e verdes. Deseja-se contribuir para a sensibilização de gestores e da população para que cada um cumpra o seu papel no consciente manejo adequado das águas pluviais urbanas.

ABSTRACT In Brazil, over 80% of the Brazilian population live in cities. As a consequence of that population growth, there is waterproofing of the soil, occupation of marginal river protection strips, deforestation, river channeling, increasing amount of solid waste that is thrown into these water bodies, among others. When great rainfall occurs, water bodies overflow and cause flooding with material, human and environmental damage impacting the health of the population. In the world, 20 million people suffer annually from floods. Brazil occupies the 11th place in the ranking with 270 thousand people being affected by the floods. This article, therefore, makes a critical analysis of the evolution of the process of urban rainwater management from the traditional drainage phase, with the implementation of structural and non-structural measures with the purpose of repelling water, including the use of sustainable drainage, with the purpose of delaying the flow of water by constructing underground reservoirs, to the present phase when solutions are proposed based on or in harmony with nature, with gray and green structures. We hope to contribute to raising the awareness of managers and of the population so that each one fulfills their role in the appropriate and conscious management of urban rainwater.