A set of surrogate parameters to evaluate harvested roof runoff quality

Abstract

This paper presents the outcomes of a research project, which focused on developing a set of surrogate parameters to evaluate roof runoff quality using simulated rainfall. Use of surrogate parameters to evaluate roof runoff quality has the potential to enhance the rapid generation of harvested rainwater quality data based on on-site measurements and thereby reduce resource intensive laboratory analysis. Pollutant buildup and washoff samples were collected from a model roof surface placed in a residential suburb in Gold Coast, Queensland State, Australia. The collected samples were tested for a range of physio-chemical parameters which are key indicators of nutrients, solids and organic matter. The analysis revealed that [total dissolved solids (TDS)]; [electrical conductivity (EC),turbidity (TTU)] as appropriate surrogate parameters for dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) and total solids (TS) respectively. No surrogate parameters were identified for phosphorus.