Rooftop stormwater management apparatus and method

Abstract

A stormwater management apparatus and method including a water storage component, and a drainage component. The water storage component, and protective component form a composite that allows for stormwater to be retained to an appropriate extent, and for excess stormwater to be adequately controlled. The water storage component and drainage component are provided in a single unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stormwater management apparatus, comprising:
 a composite comprising:
 a water storage component; and 
 a drainage component provided below the water storage component, so as to allow for controlled flow of stormwater from the water storage component to the drainage component, 
   wherein the water storage component and drainage component are provided in a single unit.   
     
     
         2 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the water storage component has a water retention capacity of about 0.49 to about 3.68 gal/sf. 
     
     
         3 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage component has a drainage rate of about 2-10 gal/min/ft at a 0.05 gradient. 
     
     
         4 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage component has a thickness of about 0.25 to about 2 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the water storage component is a retention fleece made of a composite material. 
     
     
         6 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective component. 
     
     
         7 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the protective component is provided between the water storage component and the drainage component when in use, and/or above the water storage component when in use. 
     
     
         8 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the protective component is a filter fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the water storage component is a mineral wool roll. 
     
     
         10 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a ballast component provided atop the water storage component. 
     
     
         11 . A stormwater management apparatus, comprising:
 a composite comprising:
 a first protective component; 
 a water storage component; and 
 a drainage component provided below the first protective component, so as to allow for controlled flow of stormwater to the water storage component, 
   wherein the water storage component, first protective component and drainage component are provided in a single unit.   
     
     
         12 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a second protective component, the first protective component provided between the water storage component and the drainage component when in use, the second protective component provided above the water storage component when in use. 
     
     
         13 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the water storage component is sandwiched between the first and second protective components. 
     
     
         14 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the second protective component is a water permeable landscape fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the water storage component is a mineral wool. 
     
     
         16 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 12 , further comprising an additional mat provided above the second protective component. 
     
     
         17 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising a super absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         18 . The stormwater management apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the drainage mat comprises an entangled core that is comprised of thermally bonded polymeric monofilaments. 
     
     
         19 . A method for managing stormwater runoff, comprising:
 assembling a composite, as a single unit comprising a water storage component and a drainage component, the drainage component being provided at a position below the water storage component; and   providing the composite in a unitary manner on a new or previously installed urban surface.   
     
     
         20 . The method for managing stormwater runoff according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 providing a ballast component at a position above the water storage component and drainage component composite, the ballast component disposed so as to allow for controlled flow of stormwater to the composite.