2nd International Conference on Rain Water Cistern Systems
St Thomas, Virgin Islands - June, 1984

Section D: Incidental Rainwater Harvesting

Paper D.1

Storm Quality Runoff at Honolulu International Airport

Gordon L. Dugan, Elizabeth Christakos-Comack & L, Stephen Lau

Abstract

The quality of natural and induced storm runoff from the 11_33 x 106 m2 (2800 acre) Honolulu International Airport {daily average air traffic volume of about 1000 planes and mean annual rainfall [1947-1981] of 584.45 mm [23.01 in.]) was ascertained by incorporating two monitoring schemes, the wet season and the dry season. The wet-season monitoring involved collecting storm runoff samples during the following rainfall events at established airport sites on paved surfaces. The dry-season monitoring sc eme consisted of enclosing a 1.0-m2 (10.8-ft2) area, applying deionized water, and then collecting the wash water, leached chemicals, and sediments by a heavy-duty vacuum, cleaner. Mercury and turbidity exceeded the primary drinking water regulations, while pH, manganese, and total. dissolved solids at times exceeded secondary drinking water regulations. Grease and oil concentrations showed a definite decrease from the Terminal Building (service and fuelling area) to the outer drainage sites and phenol values exceeded the previously used 1962 U.S. Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards by over two orders of magnitude. High technology treatment, which costs nearly four times that of municipal water, would be required to meet potable e water requirements however for subpotable use, an equalization basin could he constructed for one-half the cost of municipal water. The 1985 projected water demand volume could theoretically be met by covered storm runoff with proper channeling and storage.

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