Sustainable Water

[Sustainable Water]

Using water more efficiently in buildings and in the products we buy; tackling local flooding and water course pollution

[Michelle Teague]

I have an interest in code evolution to address local flood mitigation through required rainwater capture on all buildings. Does anyone know if such a regulation already exists in the US? 

My idea is to tie sq ft of roof area to gallons of required rainwater capture and use a precipitation multiplier that would take into account "worst case" episodes of rain, not annual averages. 

[James L. Binkley]

Michelle,

Thanks for your excellent comment.  I was responsible for major facility criteria and design reviews at the US Postal Service for many years.  On the Philadelphia Processing and Distribution Center (picture attached), we were required to capture storm water and release it slowly.  This was to avoid flooding a nearby river.  The most effective design solution was a large cistern under the building.  Kling was the architect of record and Richard Farley, FAIA, PE was the partner in charge.

 

I recommend you contact Dan Williams and Don Watson, both members of this Community.  They have great expertise in this subject.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim    

 

Michelle Teague said:

I have an interest in code evolution to address local flood mitigation through required rainwater capture on all buildings. Does anyone know if such a regulation already exists in the US? 

My idea is to tie sq ft of roof area to gallons of required rainwater capture and use a precipitation multiplier that would take into account "worst case" episodes of rain, not annual averages. 

[Michelle Teague]

Yes, slow release is critical. In the gulf states, we get tens of inches of rain in a single day or consecutive days as major storm systems move in from the gulf. By the second day the ground is saturated and rivers already swollen. We have terrible problems with flash flooding and loss of life, not to mention the destruction and pollution of waterways. My interest is in seeing a simple model code language municipalities can adopt.