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Introduction <br /> Through the Sustainable Communities Partnership of the University of St. <br /> Thomas, our Environmental Problem Solving class has partnered with the City of Elk <br /> River to explore the costs and benefits of installing a green roof at the wastewater <br /> treatment plant. Not only will this be the first alternative treatment system on city <br /> property, but the green roof will provide opportunities for teaching residents about <br /> stormwater management, and serve as a focal sustainability project for the city. <br /> We have done extensive background research on the importance of green roofs, <br /> the type of materials needed to build a green roof, the approximate price of installation <br /> and the overall maintenance that is needed to keep the roof functioning well. We <br /> contacted multiple people such as roofing contractors and green roof installers for <br /> expert advice on this project. All of us completed a ten-hour online course on green roof <br /> design9, which gave us extensive information on how green roofs work and what is <br /> necessary to build a green roof. Using all of this information, we have prepared this <br /> report based on the various questions that could arise while explaining the green roof. <br /> Overall, we have the confidence that this green roof will be the start of a great push <br /> toward sustainable living and be an example of the future of water treatment <br /> alternatives. <br /> What is a green roof? <br /> A living roof or green roof is a roof of a building that is first covered with a <br /> waterproof membrane and then completely or partially covered with vegetation that is <br /> kept alive by a growing medium, or soil. <br /> What the benefits of green roofs? (Why would we want plants on our roof?) <br /> There are many benefits that come from having a green roof. The first benefit is a <br /> 50-60% average reduction in stormwater runoff due to the plants absorbing rainwater <br /> and allowing the water to evaporate back into the air.$ Polluting particles traveling in the <br /> air are absorbed into plants during rainfall , which ensures that these polluting particles <br /> do not enter the water systems due to stormwater runoff.$ Air quality is also improved <br /> due to plants reducing carbon dioxide in the air and the production of oxygen during <br /> photosynthesis.$ Green roofs are known for their ability to perform as roof installation, <br /> which lowers the heat entering the building below the roof. Poorly insulated roofs can <br /> lead to overheating of the space below them, which increases the use of high energy air <br /> conditioning system.$ A combination of plant processes (photosynthesis and <br /> evapotranspiration) reduces the amounts of solar energy penetrating the roof base <br /> membrane, which lowers the overall temperature of the space below.$ <br /> 3 <br />