Reduces stormwater pollution

Rooflite licenses companies across the U.S. to produce its five blends of planting media using regionally available materials. The five formulas are designed for specific green-roof applications: extensive on multi-layer construction; extensive on multi-course construction; semi-intensive; intensive; and intensive agricultural, formulated to support rooftop farming.

HydRocks soil media is manufactured in Georgia in three formulas: intensive, extensive, and structural. The structural blend may be used in conjunction with the others to support hardscapes, such as pavers, while allowing the roots from surrounding areas to continue to grow underneath the hardscape.

Stalite manufactures PermaTill in North Carolina using 80% post-industrial recycled fines from the company's production of slate aggregate,15% compost, and 5% pine bark fines. Available for extensive or intensive green roofs, PermaTill has a high cation-exchange capacity (CEC) of 26.9 milliequivalents per 100g, which the company says promotes nutrient retention, reducing the need for fertilizer inputs while allowing high permeability and aeration.

Cutting Edge grass seed is a blend of non-genetically-modified Kentucky blue grass and fescue varieties that create a root system capable of growing 48 inches deep—reaching areas where water is more likely to be found in drought conditions. The company uses an organic seed coating that provides hydration and contains endophytes, a naturally occurring fungus that repels insects, and rhizomes that encourage root growth. The combination of slow growth and drought-, insect-, and disease-resistance significantly reduces maintenance, according to the company. Cutting Edge grass seed is for use in cool season and transitional zones. Note that because the company will not divulge its proprietary cultivars, Cutting Edge is not available in states that require full disclosure of grass varieties.

Bella Bluegrass, distributed by Todd Valley Farms, is a drought-resistant bluegrass that spreads via rhizomes rather than seeds. According to the company, this grass is not genetically modified, and it grows well laterally, “self-repairs,” and stops growing after reaching 3.5"–4", reducing the amount of mowing required by 50%–80%. It also requires 20%–30% less water than standard bluegrass. Bella Bluegrass is best used in colder climates and is available as sod, plugs, and Live Roof modules.

Filterra Bioretention Systems use a combination of filtration media and landscape vegetation to treat urban stormwater runoff by removing bacteria, metals, nutrients, and suspended solids. The system's standard 7' x 7' footprint, in which a bush or tree is planted, fits into parking lots and curbside landscaping. The inlet accepts surface runoff and the contained water is then treated by the plant's roots, which absorb organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorous, and metals, before it filters into the ground through drainage stone. Filterra Bioretention Systems may be used in new construction or retrofit applications.

The Nutrient Separating Baffle Box removes leaves and debris from stormwater, sequestering them from water flow to prevent leaching of nitrogen and phosphorus. The unit captures a wide variety of pollutants, including sediment, debris, and hydrocarbons. During the high water flow of a storm, the Baffle Box's turbulence deflectors prevent previously captured sediment from becoming re-suspended in passing water, and hydrocarbons are skimmed off and absorbed by a replaceable floating boom. Existing stormwater systems may be retrofitted with a Baffle Box made of concrete or fiberglass in a range of sizes.

SiltShield silt fencing is installed around job sites like traditional silt fencing, but is designed to be durable enough for reuse. The semi-rigid material includes drainage holes, to be set at or just above grade, and SiltShield's inner layer filters turbid runoff water.

Water Control Corporation produces the RW-Series Water Reclamation System for harvesting and storing stormwater from a commercial building's roof drainage system and using that water for such non-potable applications as landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and cooling tower and boiler make-up. Packaged systems may include equipment and controls to capture, store, disinfect, filter, repressurize, and deliver reclaimed stormwater to fixtures and equipment. Storage tanks can be polyethylene, fiberglass or lined galvanized steel up to 60,000 gallons in capacity. Disinfection can be provided with ozone, UV, reverse osmosis, or chemical treatment.

RainReserve makes kits for diverting rainwater into barrels for simple residential rainwater harvesting systems. The Rainwater Diverter allows rainwater to enter a sealed barrel and overflow through the diverter when the barrel is full. Both the kits and collecting barrels sold by the RainReserve are U.S.-made out of ground polypropylene with UV-inhibitors.

Aquascape produces the RainXchange system for below-ground storage of harvested rainwater or stormwater with the unusual feature of allowing use of that stored water in landscape features, such as fountains and ponds. Storage capacity is created using AquaBlox modules, which look like milk crates and interlock to create large cisterns, made watertight with large EPDM liners. Aquascape also provides downspout filters, pumps, and other system components.

The Original Rainwater Pillow is a fabric rainwater storage cistern for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses. Made of a polyester scrim coated on both sides with PVC, the pillows are flexible, resistant to freezing to –30°F according to the manufacturer, and highly durable. Standard pillows (1,000–3,000 gallons) are sold with a complete kit including two 9" filters, one 1/2-hp 7-amp pump, a remote control, flexible hose, and fittings; the 1,000-gallon pillow measures 10' x 8' x 2'. The system collects rainwater from a building's gutters, filters it, and channels it into the pillow. Two outlets prevent overfilling; a hose connected to the system's pump will provide 10–12 gpm. The product is available in custom sizes up to 200,000 gallons.

Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd. offers rainwater catchment components including gutter screens, rainheads, first flush diverters, flap valves, filter pits, vermin-proof screens, and overflow valves. It also offers a 144-page introductory handbook describing the processes, materials, and uses of rainwater harvesting. Most components offered are made with stainless steel and PVC. No recycled plastic is used in manufacturing these components due to the potential for lead contamination of potable water; only lead-free virgin resins are used. Orders made at the company's website are shipped from the company's warehouse in Illinois or drop-shipped from Australia. The company provides customer support in North America via the Internet and email.

Bord na Mona's RainSava Rainwater Harvesting System is intended for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Filtered rainwater from the roof is collected in a storage tank, avoiding potential contaminants on the ground. The size of the tank is calculated based on roof area to ensure overflow at least twice a year to remove floating debris such as pollen, and the floating intake filter extracts the cleanest water for use.

Green Innovations' vegetated roof water retention panels snap together to provide a sturdy base for a growing medium, which may be installed as vegetative mats or plugs or hydro-seeded. The design allows air flow under the panels, which is beneficial for plant roots and for the underlying roofing membrane. Made of 20% post-consumer and 80% pre-consumer recycled high density polypropylene (HDPP) plastic by weight; the 24" x 24" interlocking panels come in two depths. The GR32, at 1-1/4" deep, has a dry weight of 0.6 lbs/ft2 and a weight at full water capacity of 1.93 lbs/ft2. The GR52, at GR52 2-1/8" deep, has a dry weight of 0.86 lbs/ft2 and a weight at full water capacity of 3.79 lbs/ft2.