Preliminary Model-Based Evaluation of Water Conservation Strategies in a Semi-Arid Urban Zone

Marcelino Antonio Zúñiga-Estrada,Sergio Esteban Aldana-Alonso,Jorge Santiago Ramírez-Núñez,Gabriela A Vázquez-Rodríguez,Carlos Alfredo Bigurra-Alzati,Liliana Lizárraga-Mendiola

doi:10.3390/land11010101

Marcelino Antonio Zúñiga-Estrada, Sergio Esteban Aldana-Alonso + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/land11010101

Copy DOI

Abstract

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stormwater management model was applied to a semi-arid urban micro watershed. The sub-catchment’s current features were modeled as scenario A, while the insertion of a set of LID technologies (rain barrels, bioretention cells, permeable pavement, and infiltration trenches) was represented as scenario B. A third scenario (C), considering only the most feasible LID technologies, was also modeled. All the scenarios were evaluated under two representative storm events (30 and 9 mm in two consecutive days, and 39 mm of rainfall in one day) occurred during the sampling performed in this study. Water quality was also simulated for a 30-mm storm event and compared against field assessment results after a real 30-mm storm event. Through the model, the inefficiency of current evacuation methods after 30- and 39-mm storm events was demonstrated. Simulation of scenario B showed that LID technologies could satisfactorily diminish peak flows generated by the selected storm events as well as runoff-conveyed pollution, while the realistic scenario allowed a lower but satisfactory hydrological performance and almost the same runoff quality than scenario B. This preliminary study could contribute to spread awareness about the benefits of LID technologies in semi-arid urban areas of the developing world.

Highlights

Urbanization is a critical anthropogenic alteration of local hydrological cycles
Scenario A describes a conventional urbanization pattern associated with large impervious areas, thereby leading to frequent floods at the site’s low-lying zones during the rainy season
A semi-arid site with large impervious surfaces arising from a conventional urbanization approach, was modeled through stormwater management model (SWMM) 5.1-EPA

Summary

Introduction

Urbanization is a critical anthropogenic alteration of local hydrological cycles. Urban constructions such as buildings, roofs, roads, and parking lots are impervious due to their compact internal structure. This imperviousness of urban built environments modifies the local hydrology because it prevents rainwater infiltration into the soil’s lower layers. Runoff increases, thereby diminishing the potential for aquifer recharge [1]. A greater volume of runoff, in turn, leads to more severe and frequent floods. The usual engineering responses include the implementation of canals, dams, and pipes, which further increase impervious coverage and have proven ineffective if implemented in isolation [2]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion