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Water Conservation
As one of our most essential natural resources and a basic necessity to life, water is becoming an increasingly important environmental design issue. Many regions of the world that appeared to have infinite supplies of water are experiencing shortages. And our view of the oceans as vast sewers is now becoming that reality. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE As one of our most essential natural resources and a basic necessity to life, water is becoming an increasingly important environmental design issue. Many regions of the world that appeared to have infinite supplies of water are experiencing shortages. And our view of the oceans as vast sewers is now becoming that reality. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT It is important to understand that fresh water is part of a finite recycling loop on the planet. Fresh water once polluted is extremely difficult to clean due in part to the dispersion of the pollutant throughout the cycle, and the inaccessibility of many fresh water sources. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE As one of our most essential natural resources and a basic necessity to life, water is becoming an increasingly important environmental design issue. Many regions of the world that appeared to have infinite supplies of water are experiencing shortages. And our view of the oceans as vast sewers is now becoming that reality. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT It is important to understand that fresh water is part of a finite recycling loop on the planet. Fresh water once polluted is extremely difficult to clean due in part to the dispersion of the pollutant throughout the cycle, and the inaccessibility of many fresh water sources. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE Every building site is within a watershed. Before construction of the building it is likely that the entire area was pervious (allows surface water to percolate into the soil). After construction, a building site is a mosaic of pervious (undisturbed soils) and impervious (roofs, pavement, etc.) areas. Impervious areas deflect rainwater away causing increased flow and resulting erosion of pervious areas. Runoff from soil disturbance, oil leaks, and fertilisers pollute streams; excessive runoff aggravates flooding and erosion; and deflection of runoff from its natural courses ultimately dries out streams and rivers displacing ecosystems. Environmental design strives to restore natural infiltration into the soil allowing for natural cleansing and restoration of groundwater reservoirs. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Intact soil and drainage includes entire ecosystems. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Porous Paving Materials: ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT design element ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE issue content ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Most hotel facilities use potable water for landscape irrigation. This expensive as such high quality, treated water is unnecessary for watering plants. A better approach is to first plant drought tolerant native plants and then to either collect rainwater or recycle building greywater for irrigation purposes. High efficiency systems such as micro irrigation, moisture sensors, and weather-based controls may also be installed to effectively irrigate. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Water conservation is becoming a very important consideration when gardening in the Western US. Back in 1981, an environmental planner for the Denver Water Department coined the word "Xeriscape" to embody the principles of water conservation through creative landscaping. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT A water efficient landscape requires a minimal amount of supplemental water from irrigation. When irrigation is used, water should be applied efficiently and effectively to make every drop count. Wasted water costs money and may lead to surface water or groundwater contamination. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE Water conservation is not just for drought! ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT The first step is to reduce overall water usage. This can be achieved by stopping and preventing leaks in piping, installing or converting to water conserving fixtures, insulating hot water pipes, recycling greywater, collecting rainwater, and installing water meters. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE issue content ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Rainwater in many urban locations is simply directed to the sewers. This removes it from the natural process of permeating into the soil and replenishing groundwater. It is surprising in areas of aridity how only a few rainstorms a year can accumulate a significant amount of water collected over a typical roof catchment. Many of the tools are already in place as roofs are generally built to shed rain into downspouts offering a relatively easy method of collection. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE issue content ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Greywater or graywater (USA) refers to wastewater that can be easily reused for certain water uses within the building. It includes all the wastewater of a building besides toilet wastewater (blackwater) or other wastewater that may include biological or chemical contaminants that cannot be filtered. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Blackwater refers to wastewater that has higher organic waste content that cannot easily be reused. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT HOW DO COMPOSTING TOILETS WORK? ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Reclaimed water may include greywater or any water that has been used once in the building. This water can be used in a variety of situations to reduce overall water consumption. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ISSUE Water needs to be treated because we have introduced pollutants into the wastewater stream. The best solution to this problem would be simply not introcude pollutants, unfortunately pollutants are not only a human-induced problem. Two of the major forms of water treatment are for hard water and pools and spas. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT In many parts of the world, available fresh water sources are “hard” or contain high concentrations of ions such as calcium. Hard water flowing through appliances tend to build up on metal objects, eventually leading to clogged pipes and reduced efficiency of hot water heat exchangers. ENVIROMENTAL DESIGN ELEMENT Many conventional pools and spas use chlorine or bromine to disinfect the water in order for guests to enjoy a safe water environment. However, the by-products of chlorine chemistry in the water coupled with the excess chlorine can have damaging effects when released into the environment. Alternatives exist now to reduce chlorine use or eliminate chlorine altogether.
It is critical for hotels to do their part to reduce water usage, become more efficient at the water that is used, and eliminate water-borne pollution. Typically, non-residential water users make up only a small proportion of urban water users but consume approximately thirty-five percent of water treated. Replacing old appliances with water-efficient models, installing efficient fixtures, changing irrigation methods and overall behavioural changes can save total water consumption by thirty percent or more. Many of the interventions and techniques recommended below are very simple and inexpensive to implement. They serve as a good starting point for environmental retrofits and renovations. Furthermore, they offer a means to reduce costs (water meter fees, less energy required for pumping water, less hot water generated and used) for many hotel operators.
Overview
It is critical for hotels to do their part to reduce water usage, become more efficient with the water that is used, and eliminate water-borne pollution. Typically, non-residential water users make up only a small proportion of urban water users but consume approximately thirty-five percent of all water that is treated. Replacing old appliances with water-efficient models, installing efficient fixtures, changing irrigation methods and overall behavioural changes can save total water consumption by thirty percent or more.
Many of the interventions and techniques recommended in this guide are very simple and inexpensive to implement. They serve as a good starting point for environmental retrofits and renovations. Furthermore, they offer a means to reduce costs (water meter fees, less energy required for pumping water, less hot water generated and used) for many hotel operators.
Water Cycle, Pollution
Below is a digram depicting the cycle of freshwater. The most relevant components for buildings is the surface runoff, infiltration, and groundwater reservoirs.
FIGURE 1: The Water Cycle
Water pollution can take many forms. Pollutants can include chemicals, biological constituents, and/or changes to water characteristics.
Chemicals that can pollute water include both natural and synthetical varieties. Organic chemicals are waste products of organic processes like animal waste decomposition (nitrates, nitrites) that can combine with and become a part of the food chain. Natural occuring constituents like Calcium can produce hard water which has led to a remediation strategy that releases another natural constituent, Sodium to be released in excess quantities into the environment causing saline pollution.
Synthetic chemicals include over 60,000 new chemicals that have been produced since World War 2. Pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on agriculture run-off into waterways. Heavy metals like Mercury and Cadmium from batteries leach from landfills into groundwater reservoirs. Unused medicines get flushed down the toilet causing an excess of anti-biotics in urban wastewater effluent.
Biological contaminants can develop and flourish based on existing water pollution (for example organic waste effluent) or occur naturally when conditions permit. Numerous bacteria and viral organisms make fresh water their home.
Finally, water characteristics can be altered that impact ecosystems in a variety of ways. Hard water is treated and produces a pollution as a byproduct. Water used in cooling processes is often released into the environment, although clean, with an increased temperature that can affect the downstream ecosystem.
Overview
It is critical for hotels to do their part to reduce water usage, become more efficient with the water that is used, and eliminate water-borne pollution. Typically, non-residential water users make up only a small proportion of urban water users but consume approximately thirty-five percent of all water that is treated. Replacing old appliances with water-efficient models, installing efficient fixtures, changing irrigation methods and overall behavioural changes can save total water consumption by thirty percent or more.
Many of the interventions and techniques recommended in this guide are very simple and inexpensive to implement. They serve as a good starting point for environmental retrofits and renovations. Furthermore, they offer a means to reduce costs (water meter fees, less energy required for pumping water, less hot water generated and used) for many hotel operators.
Water Cycle, Pollution
Below is a digram depicting the cycle of freshwater. The most relevant components for buildings is the surface runoff, infiltration, and groundwater reservoirs.
FIGURE 1: The Water Cycle
Water pollution can take many forms. Pollutants can include chemicals, biological constituents, and/or changes to water characteristics.
Chemicals that can pollute water include both natural and synthetical varieties. Organic chemicals are waste products of organic processes like animal waste decomposition (nitrates, nitrites) that can combine with and become a part of the food chain. Natural occuring constituents like Calcium can produce hard water which has led to a remediation strategy that releases another natural constituent, Sodium to be released in excess quantities into the environment causing saline pollution.
Synthetic chemicals include over 60,000 new chemicals that have been produced since World War 2. Pesticides and herbicides that are sprayed on agriculture run-off into waterways. Heavy metals like Mercury and Cadmium from batteries leach from landfills into groundwater reservoirs. Unused medicines get flushed down the toilet causing an excess of anti-biotics in urban wastewater effluent.
Biological contaminants can develop and flourish based on existing water pollution (for example organic waste effluent) or occur naturally when conditions permit. Numerous bacteria and viral organisms make fresh water their home.
Finally, water characteristics can be altered that impact ecosystems in a variety of ways. Hard water is treated and produces a pollution as a byproduct. Water used in cooling processes is often released into the environment, although clean, with an increased temperature that can affect the downstream ecosystem.
Watershed Protection
Every building site is in a watershed, and everything we do on a site has an
impact on the watershed’s condition. Sediment from soil disturbance, oil leaks,
and fertilizers pollute streams; excessive runoff aggravates flooding and erosion; and deflection of rainwater from its natural paths dries out streams and wetlands in summer.
Watershed protection must occur both during and after construction. Clearing and
earthmoving increase erosion by as much as 40,000 times the rate occurring in
undisturbed sites.1 Many states and regions have legal requirements for erosion and sediment control. These laws have been supplemented by national standards for stormwater discharges that regulate all non-point-source pollution—water pollution resulting from urban sources including, for example, nutrients from lawn fertilizers and hydrocarbons from highways and parking lots.
After construction, any building development is physically a mosaic of roofs, pavements, and pervious soil areas. Every impervious surface deflects rainwater away from its natural course—soil pores, native plants, and groundwater reservoirs—and into surface channels.
Rainwater then concentrates into downstream floods, eroding as it goes. Carried with it are oils from cars, parking lots, maintenance yards, and storage areas; de-icing salts from roads; metals from construction and industrial materials; and herbicides, pesticides, and nutrients from overmaintained landscapes. These substances can destroy aquatic life and pollute water supplies.
In a protected watershed, soils absorb rain and make it part of the ecosystem. Pollutants are transformed as they filter through porous, humus-rich soil. Soil moisture percolates to the groundwater, which drains slowly out to streams long after the rain has fallen.
Preservation of Soils and Drainage
Porous Paving Materials
Drainage of Concentrated Runoff
Water Efficient Landscaping
Overview
XeriscapingTM
DEFINITION
Xeriscaping is derived from the Greek word "xeros", meaning "dry" and combined with "landscape", xeriscape means gardening with less than average water.
Briefly, here are the basic principles of water wise landscaping:
1. Planning and Design.
Whether you're starting from scratch, or renovating an existing landscape, take the time to plan out your design before you start to plant. Create different water use zones and allocate the water where it will most directly contribute to the beauty and comfort of your home.
2. Create Practical Turf Areas.
Limit the size of lawn areas and use native grasses as much as possible. Buffalo Grass is an excellent drought-tolerant alternative to thirsty Kentucky Blue Grass.
3. Use Appropriate Plants.
Use xeric plants for hot, dry south and west facing areas. Use plants that like more moisture along north and east facing slopes and walls. Don't mix plants with high and low watering needs in the same planting area.
4. Improve the Soil.
Add organic matter in the form of compost whenever you plant. This helps the soil hold extra moisture.
5. Use Mulches.
By covering the soil's surface with some type of mulch, you help retain valuable soil moisture. Mulching also helps capture rainwater by allowing hard rains to soak into the soil instead of running off into the street and drainage areas.
6. Irrigate Efficiently.
Don't over-water. Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation to water deeply and encourage deep root growth.
7. Capture Rain and Snow Run Off.
Use rain barrels and cisterns to capture water draining off roofs. Run-off from paved areas can be directed back onto the landscape to water trees, shrubs and flower beds.
8. Maintain Your Landscape and Garden Properly.
Keep irrigation systems running properly. Avoid the lush, thirsty plant growth that results from over-fertilizing.
Irrigation Equipment
Water Conservation
Water Use Reduction
Leaks within the building plumbing system may account for 10% or more of total water pumped. Proper, regular maintenance is key to reducing leaks. Low flow fixtures are often cost comparable and can be installed easily (see alternative products below).
A lot of water is wasted when people turn on the hot water and wait for it to arrive at the tap. If possible hot water production should be located nearest the points of usage. Increasing pipe insulation or installing recirculating units can save not only water but energy as well! Finally, installing water meters allows for data collection and the ability to set water reduction goals with a means to measure conservation success.
Water Harvesting
Collecting Precipitation
CALCULATE COLLECTING POTENTIAL
Roof Area Parallel to Ground (m2) X
[Annual Precipitation (mm) / 1000 (mm/m)]
equals Average Water Collection Potential (m3/yr)
EXAMPLE: Calgary, Alberta
Roof Area Parallel to Ground = 30 m2
Average Annual Precipitation = 399 mm
AVERAGE ANNUAL COLLECTION POTENTIAL = 11.97 m3
or 11970 litres/yr (1000 litres/m3)
or 32.8 litres/day
Wastewater
Innovative Wastewater Treatment
Greywater
Greywater contains far less nitrogen than blackwater. Nitrogen (in the form of nitrites and nitrates) is the number one problem when dealing with building wastewater. One difference between greywater and blackwater is the amount of oxygen required to decompose (nitrification) the biological contaminants. This is measured as the Biological Oxygen Demand over 5 days (BOD5). Greywater is 90% decomposed in the first 5 days whereas blackwater is only 40% decomposed.
Greywater contains less pathogens and any biological contaminants decompose quickly. The nitrogen present in greywater is also a great fertilizer and thus its application on lawns can be very beneficial as the nutrients are taken up by soil organisms and plants.
Blackwater
Composting Toilets
Composting toilets are the most efficient waste systems as they use little or no water in operation. And the end product is fertiliser.
Water Reclamation
Water Treatment
Water Conditioners
Calcium scale formation on the inside of pipes and water heaters, on sinks, tubs, shower doors and other water contact surfaces is a multi-million dollar problem for individuals and businesses. A thin, 30 mm (1/8th inch) layer of scale is such an effective insulator that it reduces the efficiency of your water heater by 20%. This translates directly to increased energy cost to attain the desired water temperature. Scale also increases the cost of equipment maintenance and shortens equipment life. When these costs are added together, the price of calcium scale is staggering.
IN MM (INCHES)
The conventional solution to hard water has been to add salt via a water-conditioning device. This costs the building operator in regular salt instalments, electricity to run the conditioner unit, and water used in the process of adding salt. As well, the wastewater effluent is salt enriched which becomes a pollutant to fresh water.
The alternative to salt water conditioning is maintenance free magnetic water conditioners. Magnetic water softener technology, when specified in the design stage, provide decades of maintenance free operation. Retrofitting a magnetic water softener can also improve water circulation and reduce pumping pressure required by removing scaling within pipes and water appliances.
Magnetic water conditioners ... are operating extensively throughout the world today with tremendous economic effect. Marked reduction in scale formation ... has been verified in practice and confirmed in laboratories.
Excerpt from: U.S. Dept. of Energy Study 1986.& Re-quoted in Popular Mechanics June, 1992
The basic technology has been used in heavy industry for years for control of scale, algae and corrosion. What's new is the use of high-technology ceramics in the magnets ... the magnetic field [changes] the water ... This is a physical change brought about directly, whereas, traditionally, changes have been caused by chemicals.
Pool & Spa News - October, 1987.
Large amounts of Calcium Carbonate were being discharged ... Normal water flow was completely restored ... Cost savings is being reflected...
The Coast Guard Engineer's Digest, Winter 1980.
...a recent discovery indicates that a magnetic field ... is effective in preventing the formation of scales ...
Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Dept. of Defense monitored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Contract No. F44620-72-0053 - January 1973.
Unfortunately, the magnetic technology industry hasn\'t effectively communicated the benefits of the technology. It is difficult for the consumer to find reliable, independent information on technologies and products. Ironically, numerous industrial processes utilize magnetic technology to prevent build up in pipes including the petroleum and transportation industries.
The most recognized studies of non-chemical water softening alternatives are the following:
Non-Chemical Technologies for Scale and Hardness Control, Federal Technology Alert, 1998.
Non-Chemical Technologies for Scale and Hardness Control
Produced for the U.S. Department of Energy by Battelle Columbus Operations January 1998
Abstract
The magnetic technology has been cited in the literature and investigated since the turn of the 19th century, when lodestones and naturally occurring magnetic mineral formations were used to decrease the formation of scale in cooking and laundry applications. Today, advances in magnetic and electrostatic scale control technologies have led to their becoming reliable energy savers in certain applications.
For example, magnetic or electrostatic scale control technologies can be used as a replacement for most water-softening equipment. Specifically, chemical softening (lime or lime-soda softening), ion exchange, and reverse osmosis, when used for the control of hardness, could potentially be replaced by non-chemical water conditioning technology. This would include applications both to cooling water treatment and boiler water treatment in once-through and recirculating systems.
The primary energy savings from this technology result from decrease in energy consumption in heating or cooling applications. This savings is associated with the prevention or removal of scale build-up on a heat exchange surface, where even a thin film can increase energy consumption by nearly 10%. Secondary energy savings can be attributed to reducing the pump load, or system pressure, required to move the water through a scale-free, unrestricted piping system.
This Federal Technology Alert provides information and procedures that a Federal energy manager needs to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this technology. The process of magnetic or eletrostatic scale control and its energy savings and other benefits are explained. Guidelines are provided for appropriate application and installation. In addition, a hypothetical case study is presented to give the reader a sense of the actual costs and energy savings. A listing of current manufacturers and technology users is provided along with references for further reading.
30-day trial conducted by the Department of Chemical Engineering University of Bath University on Super IMP water softeners and other competitive hard water treatment products.
SEE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Pool and Spa
There is now a viable alternative to using chlorine or bromine as a swimming pool sanitizer. Copper/silver ionization is a proven technology used to sanitize water in many different applications. It is used for drinking water, cooling towers, fountains, fish ponds, zoo water features, industrial waste water, industrial process water and of course for swimming pools. Its most notable use is by NASA as the treatment method of choice to purify drinking water aboard their spacecraft.
Copper is a well known algaecide and bactericide and silver is also well known for its ability to kill bacteria and viruses. Pool ionization eliminates the constant need for chlorine, though ionized pools still need a regular shock routine, this can be accomplished with a non-chlorine shock, if you want to totally eliminate chlorine from your pool. In the long run this reduces overall chemical costs, not to mention the pleasure of no chlorine smells and associated bleaching. You and your guests will really notice the difference, especially for an indoor pool.
