Urban recharge beneath low impact development and effects of climate variability and change

Abstract

Understanding low impact development (LID) planning and best management practices (BMPs) effects on recharge is important because of the increasing use of LID BMPs to reduce storm water runoff and improve surface-water quality. LID BMPs are microscale, decentralized management techniques such as vegetated systems, pervious pavement, and infiltration trenches to capture, reduce, filter, and slow storm water runoff. Some BMPs may enhance recharge, which has often been considered a secondary management benefit. Here we report results of a field and HYDRUS-2D modeling study in San Francisco, California, USA to quantify urban recharge rates, volumes, and efficiency beneath a LID BMP infiltration trench and irrigated lawn considering historical El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability and future climate change using simulated precipitation from the Geophysical Fluid Dynamic Laboratory (GFDL) A1F1 climate scenario. We find that in situ and modeling methods are complementary, particularly for simulating historical and future recharge scenarios, and the in situ data are critical for accurately estimating recharge under current conditions. Observed (2011)(2012) and future (2099-2100) recharge rates beneath the infiltration trench (1750-3710 mm yr 21 ) were an order of magnitude greater than beneath the irrigated lawn (130-730 mm yr 21 ). Beneath the infiltration trench, recharge rates ranged from 1390 to 5840 mm yr 21 and averaged 3410 mm yr 21 for El Niño years and from 1540 to 3330 mm yr 21 and averaged 2430 mm yr 21 for La Niña years. We demonstrate a clear benefit for recharge and local groundwater resources using LID BMPs.

Coupling distributed stormwater collection and managed aquifer recharge: Field application and implications

“…LID collects runoff close to the source in small structures, generally in urban areas. While costs can be modest, individual LID projects infiltrate relatively little:~10 3 m 3 /yr (~1 ac-ft/yr) (Stephens et al, 2012;Grebel et al, 2013;Newcomer et al, 2014;Bhaskar et al, 2016;Chen et al, 2016). Regional spreading grounds infiltrate excess surface and/or recycled water from large regions, collecting and routing water with dams and other large infrastructure.…”

A comprehensive numerical analysis of the hydraulic behavior of a permeable pavement

“…Several studies have evaluated the benefits of LIDs. For example, Newcomer et al (2014) used a numerical model to demonstrate the benefits of LIDs, in particular of an infiltration trench, on recharge and local groundwater resources for future climate scenarios. In another paper, Berardi et al (2014) demonstrated how green roofs may contribute to the development of more sustainable buildings and cities.…”

“…For example, the HYDRUS software suite (Šimů nek et al, 2008) has been widely used in the literature for the description of the hydraulic behavior of green roofs (Hilten et al, 2008;Li and Babcock, 2015;Newcomer et al, 2014;Palla et al, 2009), with excellent agreement between numerical simulations and experimental data. Newcomer et al (2014) investigated the effects of LIDs on recharge.…”

“…Newcomer et al (2014) investigated the effects of LIDs on recharge. In their study, the HYDRUS-2D software was used to simulate flow from an infiltration trench and an irrigated lawn installed at the San Francisco State University.…”

On the use of surrogate-based modeling for the numerical analysis of Low Impact Development techniques

“…Several studies have evaluated the benefits of LIDs. For example, Newcomer et al (2014) used a numerical model to demonstrate the benefits of LIDs, and an infiltration trench in particular, on recharge and local groundwater resources for future climate scenarios. In another paper, Berardi et al (2014) demonstrated how green roofs may contribute to the development of more sustainable buildings and cities.…”