Technical Report No. 144
WATER QUALITY OF AIRPORT STORM RUNOFF
Elizabeth Christakos-Comack and Gordon L. Dugan
July 1982
ABSTRACT
The quality of natural and induced storm runoff was ascertained from the 11.33 x 106 m2 (2800 acre) Honolulu International Airport (daily average air traffic volume of about 1000 planes and a mean annual rainfall of approximately 508 mm [20 in.]) by incorporating two monitoring schemes, the wet season and the dry season. The wet-season monitoring involved collecting storm runoff samples during and following rainfall events at established airport sites on paved surfaces. The dry-season monitoring scheme consisted of enclosing a 1.0-m2 (10.8-ft2) area, applying deionized water, and then collecting the wash water, leached chemicals, and sediments by a heavy-duty vacuum cleaner. Phenol, mercury, and turbidity exceeded the primary drinking water regulations, while pH, manganese, and total dissolved solids at times exceeded secondary drinking water regulations. Grease and oil concentrations showed a definite decrease from the Terminal Building (service and fueling area) to the outer drainage sites. High technology treatment, costing nearly four times the present cost of municipal water, would be required to meet potable water requirements; however for subpotable use, an equalization basin could be constructed for one-half the cost of municipal water. The 1985 projected water demand volume could be met by recovered storm runoff.