Green Roofs Reduce Flooding

Green roofs reduce the volume of storm water runoff and filter the storm water runoff that does leave the roof.

Green roofs reduce flooding.

Green roofs for stormwater management. The benefits of green roofs. Extend the life of the roof membrane. If green roofs reduce that runoff they contribute to cleaner creeks rivers and oceans.

Storm runoff typically picks up oil trash and other pollutants from roadways which then get pushed into sewers and waterways. They reduce flooding erosion and artificial heating of water which helps preserve the ecological integrity of surrounding bodies of water. To mitigate the risk of flooding in urban areas a number of strategies have been proposed including roofs that are covered with vegetation to absorb rainwater. Provide pollutant removal through uptake and filtering.

The saturated soil will slowly release water off the roof but the green roof slows the process down reducing the risk of a flash flood. And can be designed for public access. Green roofs alone would not prevent flooding. Green roofs are covered with growing media and vegetation that enable rainfall infiltration and evapotranspiration of stored water.

A green roof can retain around 75 of the runoff in summer source. Green roofs are a green infrastructure gi option that can be applied to virtually any rooftop given weight load capacity. Green roofs reduce the need for on site storm water management systems and according to seattle based magnusson klemencic associates under certain conditions can offset the cost of a green roof by 30 to 60. They have become very popular across europe.

Green roofs roofs that are covered with vegetation by their very nature absorb rainwater and help to mitigate flooding. However as part of a wider rainwater management scheme they can be a useful contribution. Both green and blue roofs reduce stormwater peak flood and runoff volume. To represent this many green roofs in our region are referred to as living roofs or eco roofs.

In addition green roofs reduce the cooling and heating needs of buildings. In region 8 most green roofs are not actually the color green. A green roof system atop a building helps manage stormwater and reduce energy costs for cooling. Besides reducing urban flooding green roofs also help reduce pollution.