Evaluation of the multifunctionality of a vertical greening system using different irrigation strategies on cooling, plant development and greywater use

Vertical greening systems (VGS) are implemented in the building envelope to address challenges such as the urban heat island effect, energy reduction, air purification, support of biodiversity and recently greywater treatment (wastewater without urine and faeces) for reuse purposes. In this context, providing and using treated wastewater is a crucial point, as generally VGS are irrigated with tap water and thereby increase urban water depletion and pollution. In this study, we evaluate the multifunctionality of a pot-based VGS irrigated with untreated greywater and capable, as well, of acting as a greywater treatment system. The full-scale experimental system uses a low-tech irrigation technique and was investigated for different irrigation water volumes to identify the needed water demand to maximize local cooling by evapotranspiration and suitable plants for the different water conditions and water types. Plant development and greywater treatment capabilities were monitored from April 2020 until September 2021. Based on the highest irrigation volume, a local air temperature reduction of up to 3.4 °C was measured. The removal efficiencies for treating greywater were COD 80 %, TOC 74 %, TNb 70 %, NH4-N 81 % and Turbidity 79 %, respectively, and showed a decrease in the second year of operation. Therefore, the results support the need to develop more robust systems, since up to now mainly short-term experiments have been reported in literature.