Green roofs (GRs) are becoming a trend in urban areas, favouring thermal performance of buildings, promoting removal of atmospheric pollutants, and acting as possible water collection spots. Rainwater harvesting systems in buildings can also contribute to the management of stormwater runoff reducing flood peaks. These technologies should be enhanced in Mediterranean countries where water scarcity is increasing and the occurrence of extreme events is becoming very significant, as a result of climate change. An extensive pilot GR with three aromatic plant species, Satureja montana, Thymus caespititius and Thymus pseudolanuginosus, designed to study several parameters affecting rainwater runoff, has been in operation for 12 months. Physico-chemical analyses of roof water runoff (turbidity, pH, conductivity, NH4+, NO3−, PO43−, chemical oxygen demand) have shown that water was of sufficient quality for non-potable uses in buildings, such as toilet flushing. An innovative approach allowed for the development of an expression to predict a ‘monthly runoff coefficient’ of the GR system. This parameter is essential when planning and designing GRs combined with rainwater harvesting systems in a Mediterranean climate. This study is a contribution to improving the basis for the design of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings with extensive GRs under a Mediterranean climate.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Research Article|
January 22 2016
Contributions to the design of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings with green roofs in a Mediterranean climate Available to Purchase
Cristina M. Monteiro;
Cristina M. Monteiro
1CBQF–Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal
Search for other works by this author on:
Cristina S. C. Calheiros;
Cristina S. C. Calheiros
1CBQF–Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal
Search for other works by this author on:
Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues;
Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues
2ANQIP–Portuguese Association for Quality and Efficiency in Building Services, Rua de S. Martinho, n.° 4-1°, 3810-181 Aveiro, Portugal
Search for other works by this author on:
Armando Silva-Afonso;
Armando Silva-Afonso
2ANQIP–Portuguese Association for Quality and Efficiency in Building Services, Rua de S. Martinho, n.° 4-1°, 3810-181 Aveiro, Portugal
3Department of Civil Engineering, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Search for other works by this author on:
Paula M. L. Castro
1CBQF–Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina—Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Apartado 2511, 4202-401 Porto, Portugal
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for other works by this author on:
Water Sci Technol (2016) 73 (8): 1842–1847.
Article history
Received:
July 29 2015
Accepted:
November 12 2015
Citation
Cristina M. Monteiro, Cristina S. C. Calheiros, Carla Pimentel-Rodrigues, Armando Silva-Afonso, Paula M. L. Castro; Contributions to the design of rainwater harvesting systems in buildings with green roofs in a Mediterranean climate. Water Sci Technol 27 April 2016; 73 (8): 1842–1847. doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wst.2016.034
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
eBook
Pay-Per-View Access
$38.00