Water quality impacts of Green and Blue Infrastructure Implementation in the Vargem das Flores Reservoir Catchment, Brazil

摘要: This work aims to analyze the potential of Green and Blue Infrastructure principles to manage non-point pollutant loads in the catchment of a reservoir that supplies water for around 600.000 inhabitants in a Brazilian metropolis. A calibrated water quality model developed in the Storm Water Management Model was used to simulate alternative future land use scenarios. First, a scenario considering the urban development according to the current land use legislation was simulated. Then, an alternative scenario applied Green and Blue Infrastructure principles in the new developed areas. Results indicated a significant contribution of diffuse pollution in the reservoir’s water quality degradation, especially in solids load transported by the most urbanized catchments. The application of bioretention cells to treat new impervious areas mitigated the diffuse pollution in the simulation, maintaining pollutant loads similar to present levels.