[Greenbuilding] Eco-Utopia and Stormwater management

[Michael O'Brien]

Hi, Erin--

A very good question, and as Marian points out, one with many potential answers depending on the site, building design, regulations and so on.

Here in Portland the city is subdivided into lots, which limits your options--all your stormwater must be managed on 5 or 6,000 square feet--so must be integrated into the building itself and/or in the yard spaces. City regulations now require on-site solutions unless not feasible for reasons beyond your control.

In our case, we put an 800 SF ecoroof on the sloped roof over a one-story part of our house. It is readily accessible from a terrace on the second floor, without having to get up on a ladder. After seven years, it's been pretty easy, I am feeding it this spring for the first time. The soil has settled but seems to be staying in place on the slope. The roof is very pretty when all the sedums bloom.

The eave gutters drain into two dry wells, so that water helps replenish groundwater.

We thought about burying a large cistern to store rainwater, but it would have added substantial cost to the house foundations--there was no yard space on a 5000 SF lot where a tank would not have affected the foundations. Rain barrels would fit, but they don't hold enough water to make much of a difference.

Sometimes it is possible to create a bioswale on the surface, depending on area available and soil conditions. There are native plants that like to grow in seasonal marshes which thrive in bioswales.

Best,

Mike

Mike O'Brien Photography
mikeoregon.zenfolio.com




On Apr 7, 2014, at 6:22 AM, marian dombroski <mdombros at gmail.com> wrote:

"Cope" is a difficult word for me when discussing SWM issues.  First step to "coping" is to acknowledge that water is a precious resource delivered to most of us primarily as rain.  We have a responsibility to make that a central part of planning and design. 
 
As far as details go, LID and ESD are pretty good roadmaps to a functional design.  There are an increasing number of projects that go beyond function.  Details of materials and techniques are generally readily accessible on a project by project basis.
 
Please excuse me if this sounds preachy.  SWM regs are pretty dry documents which are difficult to plow through and make sense of. Every site has unique features.  Every design has specific issues to address. Consulting with folks who are known for successful projects and are willing to study the site is an effective and efficient way to achieve what it sounds like you are looking for.
 
Marian


On Fri, Apr 4, 2014 at 1:46 PM, Erin Rasmussen <erin at trmiles.com> wrote:
Good morning Greenbuilding list,

 

I thought I'd annoy you with pretty drawings of eco-utopian buildings  ;)

http://www.fastcodesign.com/3027132/this-eco-village-is-an-environmentalists-dream

 

I have a more serious question though - what's your favorite way of coping with stormwater compliance when you're building/remodeling etc? Favorite practices, products, guidelines?

 

Erin Rasmussen

 

TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.   http://www.trmiles.com/

and BioEnergy Discussion Lists   http://www.bioenergylists.org/

erin at trmiles.com

 

Erin Rasmussen

 

TR Miles Technical Consultants Inc.   http://www.trmiles.com/

and BioEnergy Discussion Lists   http://www.bioenergylists.org/

erin at trmiles.com

 

 


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-- 
Marian Dombroski, RA, LEED AP
301.775.1191
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