Green Counsel

Ten Steps Toward Sustainability -- Step 9: Support Green Roofs and Porous Pavement

Municipalities can build green roofs on city structures and create incentives for private building owners and developers to use them. Green roofs typically have a layer of soil with plants; their greatest advantage is water management, since they can absorb 50-60% of the rainwater that falls on them. This means that storm water enters the municipality's drainage system in a slow, controlled flow, rather than the typical high-volume surge from impervious surfaces that frequently cause storm water overflows to mix with sewage. Green roofs also help buildings stay cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Portland, Chicago and Toronto all have green roof programs.

Similarly, porous pavement can reduce storm water flooding and pollution by permitting water to pass directly through concrete or asphalt into the soil rather than sheeting off. Philadelphia recently announced it intends to use porous pavement in its storm water management program.

For general information on green roofs, see www.greenroofs.com.

See also:

Act Locally: Ten Steps Toward Sustainability:

What is Sustainability?
Step 1: Create a Sustainability Task Force
Step 2: Support Local Business
Step 3: Incorporate LEED and Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings
Step 4: Set A Goal of Zero Waste
Step 5: Enact Environmentally-Friendly Land Use Laws
Step 6: Create Biotic Corridors
Step 7: Encourage Green Transportation
Step 8: Bar "Formula" Restaurants

Psst: Regulation Works and NYC Uses Least Water Since 1951

The NY Times reported today (B1) today that in the 12 Months ending June 30, New York City's water use declined 5.2% since 2002, 28% since 1979, and was the lowest since 1951.

Experts say that although the popularity of bottled water and the decline of manufacturing may have had a small effect, the primary reason is the product of government policy: requiring water-saving plumbing devices (newer toilets use 1.6 gallons instead of 5; and many washing machines use less than 20 gallons per load instead of more than 40, saving both water and heating costs); diligence in fixing leaks, and residential building metering (although many apartments don't have individual meters).

There is still much room for improvement, New York's daily per capita water consumption is 136 gallons, less than many cities but substantially more than San Francisco (97).