Water Efficiency Techniques, Rainwater Harvesting Design & WasteWater Treatment

Gemunu HerathDepartment of Civil EngineeringUniversity of Peradeniya

September 2012

'Intensive Training Course on Green Building Practices & GREENSLR Rating System

INTRODUCTIONIn GREEN Building Construction Evaluations, SIX performance criteria are set for; Sustainable SitesWater EfficiencyEnergy & Atmosphere Materials & ResourcesIndoor Environmental QualityInnovation & Process

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP Note water efficiency is a key component

consensus-basedcommittee-drivenWhy Water or Water Efficiency is given such an importance??Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water is the essential component of all life. It covers most of the Earth's surface 75% of the human body, 90% of blood is water.Water's is a powerful solvent because of its ability to breakdown substances into their constituent parts. It acts like a magnetic tape, absorbing both harmful or beneficial energies; and like a tape, this energy can be erased/released and new energy absorbed. Naturally flowing water creates complex structures constantly receiving and transmuting energy from every contact it makes.97% of Earth's water saline, Fresh water only 3%. Of all fresh water use 98% is for industrial/agriculture/domestic purposes, only 2% for nutrition/health of living organism is used.Few key facts about WaterGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water is the oil of the 21st century.Andrew Liveris, chief executive, DoW Chemicals Australia, August 2008.

"Water promises to be to the 21st century what oil was to the 20th century: the precious commodity that determines the wealth of nations. Fortune Magazine back in May of 2000 Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

EARTHs Fresh Water Distribution*Source; WikipediaGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water sourceVolume, in km3% of fresh water% of total waterIce caps, Glaciers, & Snow24,064,00068.71.74Fresh Groundwater10,530,00030.10.76Saline Groundwater12,870,0000.94Soil Moisture16,5000.050.001Fresh Lakes91,0000.260.007Saline Lakes85,4000.006Atmosphere12,9000.040.001Swamp Water11,4700.030.0008Rivers2,1200.0060.0002Biological Water1,1200.0030.0001

Did You Know?70 to 75% of planets surface covered with waterAverage depth of oceans is 3 kmTotal planetary water is over 1 billion km31 trillion tons of rain falls dailyAvg. hydrological cycle = 10 daysAvg. tropical area hydrological cycle = 6 hoursAvg. polar area hydrological cycle = 10,000 yrs.Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

However water availability and its Sustainable is at Stake!Why?

Because of Anthropogenic Influence;

Resource DegradationResource Depletion and Resource Efficiency is in a downward trendSustainability; The ability to provide for the needs of the present without compromising the ability to serve the needs of the future

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP10-06-12

WORLDS Per- Capita FRESHWATER RESOURCES*Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

RegionVolume (m3/Yr)CountryVolume (m3/Yr)Asia 3,947.6Kuwait7.0Central America 6,653.3Singapore135.3Europe10,685.7India1,670.2M. East & North Africa 1,397.5Sri Lanka2,372.1North America16,557.8Iraq2,489.8Oceania52,673.8Japan3,350.9South America44,816.4Nepal7,447.0Sub-Saharan Africa6,956.6Venezuela44,544.5 Canada88,335.6 Congo196,319.0

*Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Trends in use and qualityFrom 1900-2000 global water demands rose six-fold, more than twice the rate of population growth (WMO).

Production of food and fiber account for 70% of global water use (WRI).

Water supply is not equitably distributed.

In some regions, water scarcity & adverse quality threatens food supply, human health, ecosystems.

Climate change makes changes in water availability

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Global water use trendsSource: Climate Institute, 2005Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Use Domestic purposesInstitutional Purposes Schools, Offices, Hospitals etc.Commercial Purposes Shops, Restaurants etc.Industrial Purposes Factories, Hotels etc.Transportation Hydropower

*In most these instances used water become wastewaterGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Causes from Waste DischargesWater PollutionLand PollutionAir Pollution etc.*Environmental PollutionGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*Effects of PollutionGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*Cayuhoga River June 22, 1969Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*Blackstone River, Mass. circa 1970Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

But to our Advantage Hydrological/Water CycleEvaporation (water vapor)CondensationPrecipitationInterceptionTranspiration (loss of water from plants)Infiltration (absorption of water into the ground)Seepage (collection of water in porous substrata)StorageRunoffGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*WATER CYCLEGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

However TodayUrban water sources pollutedIncreased demands, wastages/over-use, Climate change

makes WATER more and scaresGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoPSo What Can Be Done??

Key OptionsBetter Water ManagementEfficient Water Use*Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP10-06-12

ManagementEffective waste managementMinimize/Avoid adverse impacts on environmentAllow economic developmentImprove quality of life

Aims of waste managementEfficient use of resourcesConserve resourcesControl pollutionSocial responsibilityOccupational health and safety *Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*Pollution control to Cleaner ProductionGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

As a Result to Conserve ResourcesNew Concepts are continue to being Developed and Introduced Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoPIn this regardWater Efficiency in Green Building is a significant stepIn Green Building Ratings Water Efficiency is given a top priority

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoPIn Green Building Ratings Water Efficiency is given a top priority

Green BuildingIncorporation of Water Efficiency through

Minimizing Resource DegradationMinimizing Resource DepletionMaximizing Resource EfficiencyGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Green Building Codes - Water EfficiencyNumerous national green building programs given priority for water conservation;USGBC LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) Rating SystemsGreen Globes-Green Building Initiative draft standard (commercial & residential above 3 stories)ASHRAE draft Standard 189.1 for High Performance Bldgs(commercial & residential above 3 stories)ASHRAE Standard 191 for Water Efficiency NAHB draft National Green Building Standard (for homes)U.S. EPA WaterSenseSM for New HomesGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

A High Performance Green (or Sustainable) Building Is designed to include high performance characteristics plus address broader resource issuesGreen-space, Transportation, stormwater managementWater use reductionMaterials and recycling issuesTo reduce the buildings impact on the environment

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

ASHRAE 189.1 For High Performance BuildingsDeveloped in conjunction with USGBCProposed as an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) National StandardCovers only high performance buildings of 4 floors and more, including residentialIncludes all plumbing & appliancesFocuses on water reuseFocuses on landscape & landscape irrigationDoes not cover single family homes or low-rise MFCompetes directly with Green Building Initiative (GBI)Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

GREENSL RATING SYSTEM FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT - CHECKLISTWATER EFFICIENCY 14 Total Points (out of 100) Available

Water Efficient Landscaping [1-4 Points]Reduce Potable Water Consumption 2 PointsEliminate Potable Water Consumption 2 PointsWater Efficiency in Air-conditioning System 1 PointInnovative Wastewater Technologies [1-5 Points]Reduce Potable Water Use or Treat Wastewater 2 PointsHarvested Rainwater 3 PointsWater Use Reduction 1-5 PointsUnder Sustainable Sites 5 Total Points (Total 19 pts ~ 20%) Storm Water Design, Quality Control - I 3 PointsStorm Water Design, Quantity Control - II 2 PointsGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Efficiency in Green Buildings Important definitionsWater UseReduce, Reuse, Recycle (alternate water)Rainwater HarvestingGrey-water systemsBlack-water systemsReclaimed waterWastewaterReduce, Reuse, RecycleStorm waterMaintain natural hydrologic period of siteUse natural systems to buffer flowsGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

DEFINITIONSWastewaterdomestic wastewater =sewage =all wastewaterindustrial wastewater = process wastewater

Greywaterdomestic wastewater except toilet & kitchen wastewaterBlackwaterdomestic wastewater from toilets and kitchensReclaimed Waterderived from sewagetreated to a standard satisfactory for intended reuseBiosolidssludge not solid wasteGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Alternate WatersGray WaterReclaim WaterRainwaterCondensate recoveryDischarge water re-use

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Where alternate waters can be usedirrigation, green roofs,cooling tower makeup water, toilet and urinal flushing, makeup for an ornamental pond/fountainswimming pools,laundry,process use, andaquifer recharge and wetlands maintenance.

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Matching Source to UseThe Quality of the source must be acceptable for use.Treatment may be requiredThe quantity of the source must be quantified.Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Efficient Landscaping

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Key points: Reduce Potable Water Consumption, Eliminate Potable Water Consumption

Irrigation System and Landscaping

Provision of suitable systems that utilize rainwater or recycled water and use of plants that require minimal irrigation to reduce potable water consumption.Use of non potable water including rainwater for landscape irrigation.Use of automatic water efficient irrigation system with rain sensor.Use of drought tolerant plants that require minimal irrigation.In Singapore:Extent of Coverage : At least 50% of the landscape areas are served by the system 1 bonus pointExtent of Coverage : At least 80% of the landscape areas additonal1 bonus pointGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Efficiency in Air-conditioning Systems

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Consumption of Cooling Tower

Reduce potable water use for cooling purpose.Use of cooling tower water treatment system which can achieve better cycles of concentration at acceptable water quality.Use recycled water from approved sources.Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Key points: Reduce Potable Water Use or Treat Wastewater, Harvested Rainwater

Wastewater Treatment

Use low resource consuming appropriate technologies.Waste stream segregation,Treat wastewater up to recycle standards and,Harvest rainwater.Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Rainwater HarvestingGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Use Reduction

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Easy in-house measures to improve Water Efficiency

Advanced water conserving fixturesusing recycled waterRe-circulating systems for centralized hot water distributionRainwater recovery systemStormwater Recovery/Mangement

Easily can reduce usage by 30%Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Urban Water Recycling and Reuse Options (Residential)(Commercial)Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoPNote - In select commercial applications 75% or more of all potable water used serves toiletry fixtures alone

Urban Water ConservationOther options

Water consumption in typical residential environments can be reduced between 19% - 44% using low-flow fixturesWater efficient fittingsLow volume toilets reduce water use 50% or more per flushAerated shower and lavatory fixtures reduce flow rates from 9.4Lpm to 5.5Lpm or lessPassive irrigation techniques reduce water use a further 15%-40% Pressure reducing valves reduce water pressures from 80psi to 35-40psi Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Efficient FittingsEncourage the use of water efficient fittings;

Basin taps and mixersFlushing cisternShower taps, mixers or showerheadsSink/Bib taps and mixersUrinals and urinal flush valve

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Water Usage and Leak Detection

Promote the use of sub-metering and leak detection system for better control and monitoring.Provision of private meters to monitor the major water usage such as irrigation, cooling tower and tenants usage. Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

RecommendationsToilets must meet criteria in three areas: Effective flush volume shall not exceed 4.8 liters; Solid waste removal must be 350 grams2 or greater; and The toilet must conform to the adjustability and other supplementary requirements such as effectively flush at lower water volumes, operate at adverse climatic conditions, water seal etc;

In terms of Water Efficiency Single Flush Toilets - The effective flush volume shall not exceed 4.8 liters. This is the average flush volume when tested. Dual Flush Toilets - The effective flush volume shall not exceed 4.8 liters. Here the effective flush volume is defined as the composite, average flush volume of two reduced flushes and one full flush. High Efficiency Toilets (HETs)Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Composting ToiletsPhoenix, Inc.Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Waterless UrinalsThe Waterless CompanyGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Stormwater Management

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Key points: Storm Water Design for Quality Control, Storm Water Design, for Quantity Control.

Stormwater Management

Encourage treatment of stormwater run-off before discharge to the public drains.Provision of infiltration features or design features as recommended in PUBs Waters Design Guidelines Bio-retention swales systems Rain gardens Constructed wetlands Cleansing biotopes/Retention ponds

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*EndE-mail; gemunuh@pdn.ac.lkGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

*WATER ON EARTHWorlds Total Water Resource97.3% Saltwater2.7% Freshwater0.7% Other water0.3% Surface water22% Groundwater77% Glacier waterWorlds Total Fresh WatersGreen Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

Chart4

97.5

2.5

Sheet1

Groundwater29.9

Glacierwater68.9

Salt water97.5Lake/River storage0.7

Fresh water2.5Groundwater29.9

Other0.9

Sheet1

Sheet2

Sheet3

Chart5

68.9

0.7

29.9

0.9

Sheet1

Groundwater29.9

Glacierwater68.9

Salt water97.5Lake/River storage0.7

Fresh water2.5Groundwater29.9

Other0.9

Sheet1

Sheet2

Sheet3

*FRESH and SALINE WATER Definition;Freshwater can be defined as water with less than 500 parts per million (ppm) of dissolved salts.

Water salinity based on dissolved salts (DS)

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP

FreshwaterBrackish waterSaline waterBrineDS (ppm)50000

****Water conservation and recovery includes advanced controls for efficient water use, capturing rain water and recycling water for non-potable uses, such as irrigation and sanitation.