Effect of Roof Surface Type on Storm-Water Runoff from Full-Scale Roofs in a Temperate Climate
Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137, Issue 3
Abstract
Roof surfaces represent a significant portion of the impervious area associated with urban development. Storm-water runoff from those surfaces causes stream degradation in receiving waters attributable to excess volume of water runoff. This paper investigates the influence of roof surface type on storm-water runoff and specifically considers the benefits of a vegetated roof, or green roof, as a storm-water best management practice (BMP). Runoff data were collected over a 6-month period from three full-scale roofs, which were retrofitted with flow meters and automated water-quality samplers. The roof surfaces included an asphalt roof (for control purposes), a vegetated extensive green roof, and a stone ballasted roof. Both the green roof and stone roof were effective at reducing runoff volume and attenuating peak discharge, with the green roof being more efficient for rainfall events less than 2.54 cm. Overall, the green roof retained 68.25% of rainfall volume and reduced peak discharge by an average of 88.86%. Water-quality results were inconclusive, but did provide some indication that green roof systems could reduce nutrient loadings.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to acknowledge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the College of Engineering at Lawrence Technological University for partial funding of this investigation.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 137 • Issue 3 • March 2011
Pages: 161 - 169
Copyright
© 2011 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 25, 2009
Accepted: Jun 18, 2010
Published online: Jun 22, 2010
Published in print: Mar 1, 2011
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