Storm Water Management
In the research field for storm water management current problems
in connection with the diversion of runoff water from impervious areas based on
the new Swiss water protection law (1991) and alternative disposal concepts to
the conventional storm water drainage techniques are investigated. Pathways and
fate of micro-pollutants in surface runoff, especially from roof and traffic
surfaces (heavy metals, gasoline additives, corrosion inhibitors, etc..) are
examined. The control of unwanted materials by measures at the source and by
technical barriers is studied in various case examples.
URBIC - Biocides in Urban Water Systems
Factors influencing the release of biocides and additives
from facades and roofs as well as their fate in urban sewer systems are
not well understood at present time. We investigate the leaching of
crucial substances at different scales from the source via sewer
systems to receiving waters and evaluate technical reduction measures.
Adsorption of copper in roof runoff on to granulated iron hydroxide (GEH)
The
adsorption of copper from roof runoff by granulated iron hydroxide (GEH) is
studied on a scientific basis in the thesis
of Michele Steiner. The adsorbent material is outstandingly suitable for the
immobilization of heavy metals from roof runoff in technical roofwater disposal
facilities (infiltration pits).
Investigation of runoff and corrosion behaviour of a large copper front
The first industrial employment of
granulated iron hydroxide (GEH) represents the treatment of the runoff of a
large copper front on the office for metrology and
accreditation (pdf, 97 KB) in Wabern Berne. The runoff water of the front and the
adsorbent ditch provided around the building to immobilize the copper are
examined in detail. With removal rates of more than 95% the effect of the
adsorber package to remove copper from the highly concentrated effluents can be
characterized as excellent.
Investigation of the runoff from different roofs and their treatment with adsorber material
Eight
different roof types (metal roofs, green roofs, tile roof) are examined
concerning the stormwater retention behaviour and the material wash-out in the
runoff. The efficiency of adsorber filters for separation of the metals from the
roof runoff is tested in pilot scale. Results as pdf-file (1,5 MB), only in German
Investigation of road runoff and its treatment in decentralized cleaning systems
The runoff
from a road with heavy traffic in Burgdorf is sampled and analyzed with respect
to various environmentally relevant compounds. The road runoff is further
transmitted to three pilot filters where it is treated by special geo-textile
bags and granulated adsorbents. The effect of the process combination is
examined. First results show an outstanding effect of the geo-textile
filter. Results as pdf-file (1,5 MB), only in German
Investigation of the infiltration of road runoff into the road shoulder
Already for decades, the
runoff from a road with heavy traffic in Burgdorf is drained over the road
shoulder. The water infiltrates into the nearby soil of the road shoulder. The
emissions of the traffic are deposited and enriched thereby mainly in the
adjacent soil of the flank. The degree of the pollutant enrichment and the
pollutant transport in the soil of the flank are subject of detailed
investigations. Results as pdf-file (4 MB), only in German
Investigation of the retention efficiency of different adsorber systems for the treatment of surface runoff on Zurich airport
The surface runoff of the airport area in Zurich is
partly transferred to retention filter basins and subsequently discharged to the
receiving water. The quality of the surface runoff as well as the effectiveness
of six different materials as alternatives for infiltration layers in retention
filters with respect to heavy metals are examined in a pilot plant. The tests
are terminated and show the fact that granulated Iron-hydroxide (GEH) shows the
best performance and that carefully selected upper humus containing soil
material also exhibits an appreciable adsorptivity.
See also the poster (pdf, 429 KB)
Investigation of runoff from rail tracks and application of new drainage concepts
On a selected segment, a
material balance is established for substances emitted by rail traffic. The
discharges from the track body are led into special infiltration ditches, which
meet the operational requirements for easy maintenance as well as the retention
of hazardous pollutants. The configuration of the infiltration layers are
subject of detailed investigations.