An unemployed community member designed this water system. He now has it patented and has major contracts with Skanska.
Slowing Stormwater in Augustenborg, Photo by Tien Peng
Stormwater
Natural drainage systems use surface features such as retention ponds, swales and open channels to capture stormwater runoff, creating a respite for people to enjoy, and a home for birds and wildlife. Courtyard gardens fed by roof water clean the storm water runoff from adjacent hardscape surfaces. The benefits are reduced costs associated with treatment facilities and subsurface systems, decreased irrigation needs, improved stormwater quality through biofiltration, and new opportunities for artistic expression.
Greenroofs
Ordinary rooftops blight our cities. Green roofs (which depending on the plants are not always green, but red, brown and other colors) provide pockets of nature within the urban landscape. They reduce heat in the city, provide stormwater relief, increase building insulation, and create biodiversity. In Europe, where green roofs are more common, it is estimated that they can last up to 75 years with minimal maintenance.
Capturing the power of rain saves money, improves cities
By DEB GUENTHER
Rather than running an invisible pipe under the street, strategies are used to mimic the patterns of natural water systems by capturing and slowing water close to where it falls. These strategies not only reduce erosion, replenish groundwater and keep water temperatures low, they also create habitat, make special places and save money. In some cases, developable land is even increased by trading stormwater ponds for swales and trenches that are more flexibly located.
Green roofs clean airborne pollutants from rain, and reduce the rate and quantity of stormwater runoff. A building with a green roof requires significantly less conventional stormwater detention and cleansing facilities, and benefits downstream systems by reducing the volume. Rainwater is absorbed by the soil, taken up by plants and returned to the atmosphere. It is common to decrease annual runoff -- and stormwater detention facilities -- by half.
