Different Configurations of a Bioretention System Focused on Stormwater Harvesting in Brazil
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 147, Issue 12
Abstract
Low impact development (LID) practices contribute to the reduction of flooding and improvement of water quality. Water crises may be a result of water scarcity and flooding due to climatic changes and the increase of impervious areas, and thus, stormwater harvesting becomes a sustainable alternative solution for relative water problems. The performance of a bioretention system with the submerged zone (SZ) and unsaturated zone (USZ) was evaluated as an alternative for stormwater harvesting. The study was carried out on a laboratory scale, using a bioretention box to simulate the processes that occur in a real system and in the field. The system was efficient in removing TP (68.5% and 76.5%), COD (71.6% and 56.9%), and (28% and 16.6%) in USZ and SZ events, respectively. removal (31%) occurred only at SZ events. was exported at all events tested but at values below the Brazilian CONAMA Resolution 357/2005 on the quality of water bodies for supply. The bioretention effluent showed relatively high values of turbidity; however, the pH parameter presented good values in all experiments ( and ), and E. coli only in some cases presented satisfactory values to meet the Brazilian Standard for Rainwater Usage for nonpotable purposes (). In general, both configurations provide different improvements for stormwater to support sustainable water resources management. This study presents a comparison between bioretention systems with and without SZ as an initial proposal for the improvement in bioretention systems in Brazil; however, more experiments must be monitored, and new improvements should be tested for reaching restrictive water reuse purposes.
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Data Availability Statement
All data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The research was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) 2014/50848-9 Institutos Nacionais de Ciência e Tecnologia (INCT—II) (Climate Change, Water Security); Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Programa de Excelência Acadêmica (PROEX) [Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Hidráulica e Saneamento (PPGSHS) EESC/Universiddade de São Paulo (USP)]; and Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (FAPESP) 2017/26110-8—A New Generation of Compensatory Techniques for Urban Drainage: Recycling and Decentralized Alternatives for Water, Energy, and Food Security.
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Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 147 • Issue 12 • December 2021
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 1, 2021
Accepted: Jul 29, 2021
Published online: Sep 20, 2021
Published in print: Dec 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Feb 20, 2022
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