Removal of microbiological contaminants in urban runoff water by photocatalytic permeable pavements.

Pervious pavements are low-impact developments thatallow the mitigation of the negative impacts of urbanrunoff, because they enable its infiltration and treatment.In this study we evaluated the microbial removal capacityof pervious pavements covered by a photocatalytic layer of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Pervious concrete specimens were made, which presented a water permeability (677.9L/m2min) and a compressive strength (78.28 kg/cm2) complying with the Mexican standards. These pavements were covered by a photocatalytic layer of Fe2O3nanoparticles at two concentrations (3% and 5%). After activation, the specimens received synthetic urban runoff with one microbial indicator (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Enterococcus faecalis) at unknown concentration. The specimens removed theindicator in the following order: E. coli > P. aeruginosa >E. faecalis. Although the role of the nanoparticles has tobe elucidated yet, the pervious pavements demonstratedtheir potential in the reduction of the microbial pollutionof urban runoff.