Grantee Research Project Results
2017 Progress Report: An Integrated Strategy to Improve Green Infrastructure Approaches in the Urban Context: A Philadelphia Case Study
EPA Grant Number: R835557Title: An Integrated Strategy to Improve Green Infrastructure Approaches in the Urban Context: A Philadelphia Case Study
Investigators: Toran, Laura , Featherstone, Jeffrey , Mandarano, Lynn , Weir, Mark
Current Investigators: Toran, Laura , Featherstone, Jeffrey , Mandarano, Lynn , Weir, Mark , Nyquist, Jonathan , Meenar, M. , Eisenmann, Sasha , Caplan, Joshua , Van Aken, Benoit , Ryan, Robert
Institution: Temple University , Villanova University , University of Pennsylvania , Morgan State University
Current Institution: Temple University , Morgan State University , University of Pennsylvania , Villanova University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2018
Project Period Covered by this Report: October 1, 2016 through September 30,2017
Project Amount: $999,995
RFA: Performance and Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Approaches in the Urban Context: A Philadelphia Case Study (2012) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water
Objective:
This project created a campus monitoring program at Temple University to serve the objectives of demonstrating and evaluating green infrastructure (GI) technologies, identifying GI finance mechanisms, considering triple bottom line (TBL) (people, planet, and profit) benefits of GI, and considering transferability of the information collected. The monitoring program has incorporated a geophysical survey of soil characteristics to better understand how soils and infiltration rates differ across urban areas.
Progress Summary:
Green Infrastructure monitoring
Hydrologic monitoring techniques were evaluated for a webinar presented at EPA headquarters in May 2017. Both low-cost monitoring methods and more expensive methods used by STAR grant recipients were reviewed. Examples were presented of monitoring strategies to compare stormwater designs, provide input for models, evaluate oversizing of structures, and point out problems in capture areas. Heterogeneity and infrastructure in urban areas posed unique challenges, but the importance of monitoring, particularly long term, was apparent in the case studies presented.
example of the benefits of long term (but low cost) monitoring was the blue roof on Paseo Verde, an apartment complex next to Temple’s campus. Previous work showed that reducing the 2 cm overflow hole to 1 cm with a band clamped to the overflow pipe extended storage by about three hours. However, further monitoring showed that mud built up around the pipes that restricted outflow. The issue of mud build-up needs to be addressed by one of the following options: (1) remove the bands or (2) leave the band in place but add a maintenance program to remove the mud. Discussion with the building owner is on-going.
Collaborative implementation of GI
A recent publication on Temple’s research related to collaborative implementation of GI practices found that private sector investment was biased against disadvantages communities. Public sector investment has the potential to counter this imbalance. The next step is developing a strategy to guide the site selection of GI in the high priority areas - underserved communities with high capacity to serve as collaborative partners with the Philadelphia Water Department (PWD). The team is currently using these criteria to develop a geographic information system (GIS) model to identify suitable locations within the high-priority areas. In the upcoming year, this model will be finalized by field and land use assessment of locations in high priority areas and evaluation to achieve a more equitable distribution in the PWD’s combined stormwater outlet (CSO) watershed areas.
Future Activities:
GREEN CAMPUS MONITORING
A SWMM model of Temple University campus is currently under development with final sensitivity analysis planned by August 2018. This model is intended to demonstrate the impact of GI on runoff water quality and volume as well as the impact of GI location on downstream peak flow rates. Future work on geophysical monitoring of infiltration will involve installing a long-term, dedicated electrical resistivity system to monitor changes created by natural storm events and capture the full cycle of wetting and drying. We propose to analyze the microbiome of green roof substrates from various green roof sites in Philadelphia. This study will provide a baseline of information that can lead to additional assessments of how these microbial communities differ between types of substrates and through time as a green roof ages.
COLLABORATIVE IMPLEMENTATION
The team is currently developing a geographic information system (GIS) model to identify suitable locations within the high-priority areas for enhancing private sector implementation in disadvantaged communities. In the upcoming year, this model will be finalized by field and land use assessment of locations in high priority areas and evaluation to achieve a more equitable distribution in the PWD’s combined stormwater outlet (CSO) watershed areas.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 23 publications | 4 publications in selected types | All 4 journal articles |
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Type | Citation | ||
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Mandarano L, Meenar M. Equitable distribution of green stormwater infrastructure: a capacity-based framework for implementation in disadvantaged communities. Local Environment 2017; 22(11):1338-1357. |
R835557 (2017) |
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Olszewski MW, Eisenman SW. Influence of biochar amendment on herb growth in green roof substrate. Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology 2017;58(4):406-413. |
R835557 (2017) |
Exit |
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Toran L. Water level loggers as a low-cost tool for monitoring of stormwater control measures. Water 2016;8(8):346. |
R835557 (2017) R835557 (Final) |
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Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.