Modelling of emerging non-point water pollution problems and management measures

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Emerging non-point water pollution problems and management measures are the main focus of this proposal.   West Nile Virus has become a public health problem of national significance. After three years of field study of the larvicidng program for West Nile Virus in Toronto, the applicant has discovered that this public health problem may cause non-point water pollution in the receiving water.  In order to understand the effect of rainfall on a larviding program and the extent of the water pollution problem, the applicant proposes to develop mathematical models to simulate the fate of larviciding chemicals at catch basins and the associated sewer outfall.  These models can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of a larviciding program for West Nile Virus as well as the potential ecological effect on the receiving water. Greenroofs can be defined as a green space created by adding layers of growing medium and plants on top of a traditional roofing system. It has attracted a lot of attention in urbanized cities because it has the potential to reduce storm runoff in highly urbanized areas.  Building upon a CRESTech's research study on benefits and costs of greenroofs, the applicant proposes to develop mathematical models to simulate the stormwater performance of a greenroof as well as the cumulative stormwater performance of greenroofs on a watershed basis. These model can assist (1) building owners to realize the stormwater benefit of a greenroof; and (2) muncipalities to develop a greenroof policy for stormwater management.   The proposed research projects will contribute to our knowledge of emerging non-point water pollution problems and management measures.