Copper Sources and Management Strategies Clearinghouse

 

 

 

Copper Sources - P2/BMPs

Stormwater Runoff

Vehicle Brake Pads
Architectural Copper
Pool/Spa/Fountain Algaecides
Copper Pesticides
Industrial Copper Use
Soil Erosion
Mobile Cleaning
Vehicle Washing
Vehicle Services

Discharges to POTWs

Copper Piping Corrosion
Industrial Copper Use
Cooling Towers
Printing
Vehicle Services

Shoreline Activities

Marine Anti-fouling Coatings
Copper Algaecides
Site Source Control, Design, and Waste Management

 

 

 

Architectural Copper

As reported by the Copper Development Association, the architectural use of copper has increased in recent years. However, copper roofs and gutters cost far more than ordinary materials. As a result, a relatively small number of structures in the San Francisco Bay area use copper. The City of Palo Alto estimated that copper roofs are installed on 0.05 percent of the City's residences, 0.3 percent of industrial commercial buildings and 1.5 percent of other structures.

Stormwater Control Measures

Following a series of studies that indicated high concentrations of copper in copper roof and gutter runoff, the City of Palo Alto commissioned a study to estimate copper releases to stormwater from copper architectural features. The results are summarized in the report entitled "Architectural Uses of Copper: An Evaluation of Stormwater Pollution Loads and BMPs" (March 2001). Possible control measures included coating copper to reduce releases treating runoff to collect released copper, public education to reduce copper use, and restricting copper use.

Palo Alto determined that the most effective control approach was to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of copper-containing roofing materials, shingles, and gutters in new buildings, and prohibiting their use for replacement of roofs except in historic buildings. The practicality and efficacy of control measures such as coatings and runoff treatment to prevent copper releases from roofs or to remove copper from roof runoff have yet to be determined. A few municipalities in the San Francisco Bay area have implemented public education and outreach measures to limit use of copper architectural features.

Wastewater Control Measures

The release of copper from architectural features to a Publicly-Owned Treatment Works is unlikely to occur.

Best Management Practices

Sources of best management practices and general information relating to architectural copper include:

California

  • Palo Alto Ordinance Prohibits Copper Roof Materials - This one-page fact sheet prepared by the City of Palo Alto discusses the impacts of architectural copper on stormwater pollution and provides the City's ordinance prohibiting copper roofing materials.