Assessment of a rainwater harvesting system for pollutant mitigation at a commercial location in Raleigh, NC, USA

2013 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne E. Wilson ◽  
William F. Hunt ◽  
Ryan J. Winston ◽  
Patrick Smith
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Low Impact Development ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Statistical Testing ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Pollutant Concentrations ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Nitrite Nitrate

Low Impact Development (LID) and Water Sensitive Urban Design have as one of their tenets the use of rainwater harvesting (RWH) systems to provide water for use on site. Historically implemented in arid or semi-arid regions, RWH has recently surged in popularity in more humid regions, such as the southeastern USA, due to increased interest in water conservation during severe drought conditions. An LID commercial site in Raleigh, NC, incorporated RWH with other stormwater control measures to mitigate runoff quantity and improve runoff quality. A 57,900-liter RWH tank used for landscape irrigation was monitored to determine influent and effluent water quality. Samples were analyzed for total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN), nitrite-nitrate (NOX), orthophosphate (Ortho-P) and total suspended solids (TSS). Low concentrations were observed for all pollutants monitored; for example, influent and effluent TP concentrations were 0.02 and 0.03 mg/L, respectively. Statistical testing showed significant increases in TAN and organic nitrogen (ON) concentrations by 33 and 38%, respectively, from inflow to outflow. NOX and TSS concentrations decreased significantly by 23 and 55%, respectively. Concentrations of all other pollutants were not significantly different between the inflow and outflow. Influent concentrations to the RWH tank were less than previously published rainfall pollutant concentrations, indicating potentially irreducible concentrations onsite. While a single case study, this RWH system appears to offer some pollutant mitigation, especially for TSS.

scholarly journals Assessing the Applicability of Low Impact Development Techniques in Arid and Semi-arid Regions

2021 ◽  
pp. 20-37
Author(s):  
Hadi Heidari ◽  
Mohammad Reza Kavianpour
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Stormwater Management ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Low Impact Development ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Harvesting Technique ◽  
Semi Arid

Low impact development (LID) techniques are increasingly used as a stormwater management strategy to maintain the hydrological conditions of developed areas and mitigate the negative consequences of stormwater runoff and nonpoint source pollution. Although LID techniques have been commonly used in moderate to humid areas, further information is needed on their effectiveness in semi-arid and arid regions. This study aims to examine and compare the effectiveness of LID techniques in arid and semi-arid climate conditions. First, a comprehensive study was conducted to rank LID techniques based on literature reviews while also incorporating different stakeholder priorities. Then, the city of Varamin, Tehran, Iran, was chosen as a low slope arid and semi-arid study region to assess the applicability of the best three high-ranked LID techniques using the storm water management model (SWMM). The results indicated that rainwater harvesting is the most effective technique in terms of stormwater quality and quantity management. The implementation of the rainwater harvesting technique across the case study is likely to decrease the average discharge, peak discharge, total volume, total runoff, and total suspended solids (TSS) by respectively 31.2%, 12.7%, 40.71%, 40.77% and 37.91%. Besides, rainwater tanks were projected to provide the water demands of home gardens during the five dry months, in addition to other domestic needs for water conservation objectives. The application of LID techniques in such water-limited regions can be useful for both stormwater management and water conservation.

A 2050 Vision for Colorado's water supply future

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Rowan ◽  
E. Hecox ◽  
S. Morea
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Colorado River ◽  
Economic Recession ◽  
The State ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Water Projects ◽  
Demand And Supply ◽  
Local Water

The last decade has brought many changes to Colorado's water supply outlook. Despite the recent economic recession, the state has experienced significant population growth, and Colorado's population is expected to nearly double within the next 40 years. Other pressures on Colorado's water supply include severe drought, a desire to meet multiple needs (i.e., municipal, environmental, recreational) with existing resources, and impacts to agriculture due to water shortages, urbanization, and transfers to new users. To address these challenges, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has undertaken a visioning process to explore solutions to these future water supply challenges. As part of this process, CWCB has led the state in identifying demand and supply strategies to meet the state's future water needs while considering agriculture and the environment. These strategies have been combined into varying portfolios that include methods such as conservation, local water projects, new Colorado River development, and agricultural transfers. This paper details the development and evaluation of these portfolios and describes stakeholder's efforts to balance meeting Colorado's water needs in the future.

scholarly journals Integrating GIS-Based MCDA Techniques and the SCS-CN Method for Identifying Potential Zones for Rainwater Harvesting in a Semi-Arid Area

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 704
Author(s):  
Hussein Al-Ghobari ◽  
Ahmed Z. Dewidar
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Surface Runoff ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Curve Number ◽  
Drainage Density ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Thematic Layers ◽  
Scs Cn

An increasing scarcity of water, as well as rapid global climate change, requires more effective water conservation alternatives. One promising alternative is rainwater harvesting (RWH). Nevertheless, the evaluation of RWH potential together with the selection of appropriate sites for RWH structures is significantly difficult for the water managers. This study deals with this difficulty by identifying RWH potential areas and sites for RWH structures utilizing geospatial and multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques. The conventional data and remote sensing data were employed to set up needed thematic layers using ArcGIS software. The soil conservation service curve number (SCS-CN) method was used to determine surface runoff, centered on which yearly runoff potential map was produced in the ArcGIS environment. Thematic layers such as drainage density, slope, land use/cover, and runoff were allotted appropriate weights to produced RWH potential areas and zones appropriate for RWH structures maps of the study location. Results analysis revealed that the outcomes of the spatial allocation of yearly surface runoff depth ranging from 83 to 295 mm. Moreover, RWH potential areas results showed that the study areas can be categorized into three RWH potential areas: (a) low suitability, (b) medium suitability, and (c) high suitability. Nearly 40% of the watershed zone falls within medium and high suitability RWH potential areas. It is deduced that the integrated MCDA and geospatial techniques provide a valuable and formidable resource for the strategizing of RWH within the study zones.

scholarly journals Improving the Treatment Performance of Low Impact Development Practices—Comparison of Sand and Bioretention Soil Mixtures Using Column Experiments

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1210
Author(s):  
Abtin Shahrokh Hamedani ◽  
Arianne Bazilio ◽  
Hanieh Soleimanifar ◽  
Heather Shipley ◽  
Marcio Giacomoni
Keyword(s):  
Phosphorus Removal ◽  
Low Impact Development ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Column Experiments ◽  
Removal Rates ◽  
Treatment Performance ◽  
Soil Mixtures ◽  
Limestone Sand ◽  
The Impact

Low impact development (LID) practices, such as bioretention and sand filter basins, are stormwater control measures designed to mitigate the adverse impacts of urbanization on stormwater. LID treatment performance is highly dependent on the media characteristics. The literature suggests that bioretention media often leach nutrients in the stormwater effluent. The objective of this study was to analyze the treatment performance of different sand and bioretention soil mixtures. Specifically, this investigation aimed to answer whether the use of limestone and recycled glass could improve the treatment performance of bioretention systems. Column experiments were designed to assess (1) the removal efficiencies of different sand and bioretention soil mixtures and (2) the impact of plant uptake on removal rates. Enhanced pollutant removal was observed for the custom blends with addition of limestone sand, indicating mean dissolved and total phosphorus removal of 44.5% and 32.6% respectively, while the conventional bioretention soil mixtures leached phosphorus. Moreover, improved treatment of dissolved and total copper was achieved with mean removal rates of 70.7% and 93.4%, respectively. The results suggest that the nutrient effluent concentration decreased with the addition of plants, with mean phosphorus removal of 72.4%, and mean nitrogen removal of 22% for the limestone blend.

Farmer’s Drought Response and Coping Strategies at Household Level in Southern Tigray, Ethiopia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eskinder Gidey ◽  
Tirhas Gebregergis ◽  
Woldegebrial Zeweld ◽  
Haftamu Gebretsadik ◽  
Ogaile Dikinya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Drought Severity ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Household Heads

Abstract Background Drought is one of the most damaging climate-induced threats impacting the lives of many people every year. The purpose of this study was to determine farmer’s drought coping strategies both proactive and reactive responses at household level based on the field survey in Raya Azebo and Raya Chercher districts, southern Tigray, Ethiopia. Agro–climatological based 246 households were sampled from the lowlands (36), midlands (202) and highlands (8). Multinomial logit model was used to identify best drought coping strategies. Results about 24.8% of female headed and 75.2% of male headed respondents have experienced mild to extremely severe drought in the last three decades. A significant association between the various drought severity and household heads (chi–square = 9.861, df = 3, p–value < 0.05) observed. Conclusions this study concluded that collection and saving of pasture, soil and water conservation practices, and use of weather prediction information to adjust saving and farming system are best proactive drought coping strategies. Whereas, feeding of roasted cactus for livestock, borrowing loans for running small business, selling of household assets and reduction of food consumptions are the major reactive or off–farm drought coping strategies in the study area. If the responses of smallholder farmers are not well supported by the concerned bodies, the existing disaster preparedness and early warning systems in the area might be significantly affected and its impacts will be very serious on both the livelihood of local people and natural resources in the area.

scholarly journals Real time controlled sustainable urban drainage systems in dense urban areas

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nils Kändler ◽  
Ivar Annus ◽  
Anatoli Vassiljev ◽  
Raido Puust
Keyword(s):  
Urban Development ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Low Impact Development ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Real Time Control ◽  
Urban Catchments

Abstract Stormwater runoff from urban catchments is affected by the changing climate and rapid urban development. Intensity of rainstorms is expected to increase in Northern Europe, and sealing off surfaces reduces natural stormwater management. Both trends increase stormwater peak runoff volume that urban stormwater systems (UDS) have to tackle. Pipeline systems have typically limited capacity, therefore measures must be foreseen to reduce runoff from new developed areas to existing UDS in order to avoid surcharge. There are several solutions available to tackle this challenge, e.g. low impact development (LID), best management practices (BMP) or stormwater real time control measures (RTC). In our study, a new concept of a smart in-line storage system is developed and evaluated on the background of traditional in-line and off-line detention solutions. The system is operated by real time controlled actuators with an ability to predict rainfall dynamics. This solution does not need an advanced and expensive centralised control system; it is easy to implement and install. The concept has been successfully tested in a 12.5 ha urban development area in Tallinn, the Estonian capital. Our analysis results show a significant potential and economic feasibility in the reduction of peak flow from dense urban areas with limited free construction space.

scholarly journals Implementasi Konsep Konservasi Air di Gedung Apartemen X

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vine Valenia David ◽  
Kancitra Pharmawati ◽  
Djoni Kusmulyana Usman
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Wastewater Reuse ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Groundwater Availability ◽  
The North ◽  
Water Recycle ◽  
Runoff Rate

<p>Clean water crisis that occurred in Bandung is caused by land conversion in North Bandung area which is a recharge area into commercial buildings. This increases runoff rate from 40% to 70% that can lead can lead to flooding and reduced groundwater availability. Therefore, it is necessary to save water by implementing water conservation. Considering those problems, this study aims to apply the concept of water conservation in X Apartment building that is located in the North Bandung Region by referring to Mayor Regulation of Bandung in 2016. Water conservation efforts that will be applied are wastewater reuse into water recycle, rainwater harvesting, infiltration well construction and placing water meters. The application of water conservation concept considers two conditions, namely in rainy season and dry season. Total need for clean water can be saved by 45,8% in dry season, while in rainy season clean water can be saved by 31,74%.</p>

The Observation of Rainwater Harvesting Potential in Mahasarakham University (Khamriang Campus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 807-809 ◽  
pp. 1087-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida Chaimoon
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Flow Analysis ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Drainage System ◽  
Material Flow Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Living ◽  
Water Treatment Cost

Rainwater harvesting from roof is considered as valuable water resources. Material Flow Analysis (MFA) of water in Mahasarakham University (Khamriang Campus) shows that rainwater harvesting from roof can reduce water supply production by 7% and save more than 200,000 Bt/year for water treatment cost. The sensitivity analysis suggests that by 5% water supply conservation and 20% additional rainwater harvesting, MSU could have enough water resources. The rainwater is suitable to be substituted water for gardening due to the convenience to assemble an above ground storage tank or a pond to store harvested rainwater from roof. The current practice of rainwater is collected and discharged into drainage system and treated in wastewater treatment plant. Utilisation of rainwater harvested could reduce wastewater amount that must be treated by 9%. Rainwater harvesting and reuse should be promoted in campus in order to encourage sustainable living and water conservation policy.

Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting

2016 ◽  
pp. 221-230
Author(s):  
S.P. Deolalkar
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document