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Evidence concerning the irrigation of urban green infrastructure using lightly loaded greywater

Smith, M. J. and Hyde, K. (2018) Evidence concerning the irrigation of urban green infrastructure using lightly loaded greywater. In: Water Efficiency Conference 2018, 5-7 Sep 2018, Aveiro, Portugal, pp. 147-156.

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Abstract/Summary

Regional, national and societal pressures are increasing with a view towards reducing the use of mains water for the irrigation of urban green infrastructure. The research aimed to separately evaluate the effects upon urban green infrastructure of irrigation using untreated or raw greywater (RGW), irrigation using a mains water comparison and importantly, irrigation using greywater treated using an industrial grade treatment system (TGW). The treatment system is in use in buildings in the City of London and elsewhere. Different mixes of soil and growing media were also included in the methodology. Some authors have previously investigated, regarding food production and agriculture, the advantages and disadvantages of irrigation using raw greywater. Some results have included evidence showing that applying RGW to the irrigation of soils has led to a detrimental effect upon Soil Water Holding Capacity (SWHC). In the current research, the operational system providing up to 1m3 of treated greywater per day made possible comparisons of effects upon SWHC produced by the three types of irrigation water. The effects of the three irrigation streams on different soil compositions (50:50, 80:20 and 20:80, as ratios of growing medium to compost) were measured. The differences between the irrigation systems in their effects upon growing media and composts were found to be small; an adverse impact upon SWHC also arose from mains water irrigation. The results will assist in the forthcoming design of drainage and SUDS systems to support the wider use of lightly loaded greywater for the irrigation of urban green infrastructure.

Item Type:Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF)
Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) > Optical Spectroscopy (CAF)
Science > School of the Built Environment > Architecture
Science > School of the Built Environment > Urban Living group
Science > School of the Built Environment > Energy and Environmental Engineering group
ID Code:85980

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