I am a little bit confused by this project and would like to have your advise. Many thanks in advance!
I work for resort in China made of small houses in a previously undeveloped natural environment, surrounded by forest, undertaking LEED NC 2.2. The green area is around 90%, only 10% is being developed in small roads and houses.
The topography of the site is made of hills with forested areas and houses are included in that landscape; and a valley with a water stream leading to an artificial water reservoir, holding rain water for rice fields, in the vicinity of the project.
Rain water from roads and roofs are directly conveyed in the water stream and the reservoir.
1. My first wonder is related to the TSS definition in this project. Since in this resort small roads will only be used for electric golf cars or bicycles and that is area is far for urban areas, we can expect the TSS concentration to be quite low. How to take into account this aspect in this credit?
2. The credit requires to treat run-offs from all surfaces. We have 90% of green areas on steep slopes. Run-offs from those areas will be important and naturally directed in the reservoir. When not used as BMPs, should the TSS treatment in such areas be considered as 100%?
3. As mentioned, the reservoir was previously existing with function to supply water to the rice fields, just 30 ft far from the site. Is it possible to integrate the TSS efficiency of the rice fields (that would be used as a combination of non-structural measures? I guess that the previous MPR guidance replies to that question...
Thanks again, i realize it is a long message.
Amy Rider
Sustainability ManagerKEMA Services
161 thumbs up
December 19, 2011 - 5:42 pm
It indeed seems like your project site is a bit unusual, but I hope I can shed some light.
1. Even though you may not have a large source of pollution on site you still need to treat the site's stormwater. Please note that TSS is not defined by its chemical property, but just whether or not it will settle.
2 and 3. The TSS removal efficiency of the reservoir depends on a number of factors including detention time, but if water is not retained it is typically not seen as treating TSS. If the stormwater goes to the rice fields and stays there you should be able to claim those areas as your permanent retention ponds.