Stormwater Reuse Research Articles

Banner Bank Building – A Leader in Urban Stormwater and Graywater Reuse

Banner Bank Building – A Leader in Urban Stormwater and Graywater Reuse

SIRRUS: evaluation software of the technical and economic profitability of rainwater on an industrial site

In a sustainable development context, the storm water reuse in industry seems a promising and original alternative, but few experiences exist. A project, sponsored by the European Community and the Artois-Picardie Water Agency, has been carried out by the Renault MCA factory in Maubeuge, demonstrating that it can be profitable, in certain conditions, to reuse storm water in industrial processes. This article summarises this experience, and presents a decision making tool (SIRRUS) that has been developed in this framework by Anjou Recherche (Vivendi Water) to evaluate, on the basis of simple criteria, if this experience is or is not reproducible on a given site, and how much time is necessary to pay the investment back. Its application and different results are also discussed.

SQIRTS - an on-site stormwater treatment and reuse approach to sustainable water management in Sydney

This paper describes part of a program undertaken by South Sydney City Council to promote sustainable water management The aim of the project, named SQIRTS (Stormwater Quality Improvement & Reuse Treatment Scheme) was to demonstrate best-practice water management approaches, to learn from the process of implementing these, and to encourage the further use of these technologies. It comprises three main components located in a suburban park: a gross pollutant trap (GPT), a stormwater reuse system, and interpretative artworks that aim to educate and interpret the water processes within the park. Results from the pre-construction monitoring program are presented.

Integrated stormwater management in cold climates

Integrated stormwater management is based on the natural processes in the water cycle and the criteria for sustainable development. The aim of this paper was to investigate which integrated stormwater system components might be suitable in cold climate regions. The evaluation was based on literature reviews and studies made in Luleå, Northern Sweden. It was found that porous pavement, grassed waterways (swales, ditches), wet pond, and percolation basin were the most suitable integrated stormwater system components in cold regions whereas dry basin, stormwater infiltration surfaces, and stormwater reuse seemed to be the less suitable. Polluted snow may be treated at a central (large‐scale) snow deposit; cleaner snow may be placed in many local snow depots.

Conjunctive wetland treatment/aquifer storage and recovery at Regent Gardens residential development, Northfield, South Australia

At Northfield, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, a stormwater reuse scheme utilising a new dual-purpose wetland detention basin and an aquifer storage and recovery system has been developed. The wetland acts as a flood control basin and also provides water quality improvement. The aquifer is too saline for use as an irrigation water supply for parks and gardens; however, by storing low salinity stormwater in the aquifer during winter, a volume of low salinity water can be withdrawn and used the following summer. The water will also be used for topping up the wetland during the dry summers experienced in the region. Recharge water quality is required to either meet Australian criteria for irrigation water quality or be no worse than the existing groundwater quality. The economics of the system are favourable.

Conjunctive wetland treatment/aquifer storage and recovery at Regent Gardens residential development, Northfield, South Australia

At Northfield, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia, a stormwater reuse scheme utilising a new dual-purpose wetland detention basin and an aquifer storage and recovery system has been developed. The wetland acts as a flood control basin and also provides water quality improvement. The aquifer is too saline for use as an irrigation water supply for parks and gardens; however, by storing low salinity stormwater in the aquifer during winter, a volume of low salinity water can be withdrawn and used the following summer. The water will also be used for topping up the wetland during the dry summers experienced in the region. Recharge water quality is required to either meet Australian criteria for irrigation water quality or be no worse than the existing groundwater quality. The economics of the system are favourable.

Industrial Reuse of Urban Stormwater

Rainfall runoff becomes contaminated as it passes over urban land. Billions of gallons of water can be recovered for beneficial uses if urban stormwater is properly controlled and treated. The Storm and Combined Sewer Program of the United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Research and Development has continuously supported the development and demonstration of stormwater control systems and treatment processes. Water quality of the treated storm runoff can meet the required standards for subpotable usage. Current urban stormwater control and treatment technology are discussed, leading to the feasibility of urban stormwater reuse for various purposes in industry, irrigation and recreation. A hypothetical case study illustrating the cost effectiveness of reclaiming urban stormwater for complete industrial supply is presented.