ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Influence of Applying Infiltration and Retention
Objects to the Rainwater Runoff on a Plot
and Catchment Scale – Case Study
of Służewiecki Stream Subcatchment
in Warsaw
Mariusz Barszcz
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Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW,
Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland
Submission date: 2014-03-02
Final revision date: 2014-09-02
Acceptance date: 2014-09-03
Publication date: 2015-02-06
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2015;24(1):57-65
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ABSTRACT
This article presents the results of an analysis aimed at determining the influence of applying selected
types of objects for the infiltration and retention of rainwater (LID – low impact development objects), on a
plot scale (area of a shopping mall) and in the subcatchment of Służewiecki Stream in Warsaw, on the characteristics
of surface runoff/outflow as well as retention and infiltration depths, in response to a single rainfall
event. The following types of objects were accounted for in the study: permeable soil layer, green roof, permeable
paved parking lot surface, and infiltration trench. The SWMM model (storm water management
model), designed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was used to carry out simulation calculations
for the individual scenarios of applying infiltration and retention objects on a plot and catchment scale. The
effect of applying LID objects throughout the analyzed area was, in both cases, a reduction in the depth of surface
runoff, outflow volume and, at the same time, an increase in the infiltration and retention depths. The most
significant reduction in surface runoff on the plot scale (approximately 99%) occurred in the case of calculation
scenarios calling for the application of infiltration trenches (scenario LID3), as well as permeable layers
of soil and gravel (LID5 and LID6). The most significant reduction in runoff/outflow on the catchment scale
was achieved by the combined application of objects of “permeable soil layer” and so-called “green roofs”
(LID5). The reduction in the runoff depth and peak flow rate amounted to 50.0 and 38.5%, respectively, as
compared to runoff from the catchment at the current state of its urbanization. The influence of urbanization
that the plot of land and subcatchment area had undergone between 1970 and 2005 also was analyzed. The
increased urbanization of the catchment, determined as 40%, resulted in an increase in the maximum flow rate
in the “Rosoła” profile (approximately 19 times higher), as well as outflow volume (approximately 39 time
higher).