Water Efficiency Techniques, Rainwater

Harvesting Design & Waste

Water Treatment

Gemunu Herath
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Peradeniya

September 2012

'Intensive Training Course on Green Building Practices & GREENSLR

Rating System
 INTRODUCTION
In GREEN Building Construction Evaluations, SIX
performance criteria are set for;
Sustainable Sites
Water Efficiency
Energy & Atmosphere
Materials & Resources
Indoor Environmental Quality
Innovation & Process

Note water efficiency is a key component

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

consensus-based
committee-driven

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

 Few key facts about Water
1. Water is the essential component of all life.
2. It covers most of the Earth's surface
3. 75% of the human body, 90% of blood is water.
4. Water's is a powerful solvent because of its ability to breakdown
substances into their constituent parts.
5. 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.
6. Naturally flowing water creates complex structures constantly
receiving and transmuting energy from every contact it makes.
7. 97% of Earth's water saline, Fresh water only 3%.
8. Of all fresh water use 98% is for industrial/agriculture/domestic
purposes, only 2% for nutrition/health of living organism is used.
Green 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
Volume, in % of fresh % of total
Water source
km3 water water
Ice caps, Glaciers, & Snow 24,064,000 68.7 1.74
Fresh Groundwater 10,530,000 0.76
30.1
Saline Groundwater 12,870,000 0.94
Soil Moisture 16,500 0.05 0.001
Fresh Lakes 91,000 0.007
0.26
Saline Lakes 85,400 0.006
Atmosphere 12,900 0.04 0.001
Swamp Water 11,470 0.03 0.0008
Rivers 2,120 0.006 0.0002
Biological Water 1,120 0.003 0.0001
Source; Wikipedia 6
Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 Did You Know?
70 to 75% of planets surface covered with water
Average depth of oceans is 3 km
Total planetary water is over 1 billion km3
1 trillion tons of rain falls daily
Avg. hydrological cycle = 10 days
Avg. tropical area hydrological cycle = 6 hours
Avg. 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 Degradation
Resource Depletion and
Resource Efficiency is in a downward trend

Sustainability; 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
Region Volume Country Volume
(m3/Yr) (m3/Yr)
Asia 3,947.6 Kuwait 7.0
Central America 6,653.3 Singapore 135.3
Europe 10,685.7 India 1,670.2
M. East & North Africa 1,397.5 Sri Lanka 2,372.1
North America 16,557.8 Iraq 2,489.8
Oceania 52,673.8 Japan 3,350.9
South America 44,816.4 Nepal 7,447.0
Sub-Saharan Africa 6,956.6 Venezuela 44,544.5
Canada 88,335.6
Congo 196,319.0

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 10
Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 Trends in use and quality

From 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 trends

Source: Climate Institute, 2005

Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 Water Use
Domestic purposes
Institutional Purposes
Schools, Offices, Hospitals etc.
Commercial Purposes
Shops, Restaurants etc.
Industrial Purposes
Factories, Hotels etc.
Transportation
Hydropower

In most these instances used water become wastewater

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 Causes from Waste Discharges
Water Pollution
Land Pollution Environmental
Air Pollution etc. Pollution

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 Effects of Pollution

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

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

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Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 But to our Advantage
Hydrological/Water Cycle
Evaporation (water vapor)
Condensation
Precipitation
Interception
Transpiration (loss of water from plants)
Infiltration (absorption of water into the ground)
Seepage (collection of water in porous substrata)
Storage
Runoff
Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 WATER CYCLE

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Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 However Today
Urban water sources polluted
Increased demands,
wastages/over-use, Climate change

makes WATER more and scares

So What Can Be Done??

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

1. Better Water Management

2. Efficient Water Use

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Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP10-06-12
 Management
Effective waste management
Minimize/Avoid adverse impacts on environment
Allow economic development
Improve quality of life

Aims of waste management

Efficient use of resources
Conserve resources
Control pollution
Social responsibility
Occupational health and safety
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 Pollution control to Cleaner Production

Pollution control Waste management Cleaner production

Energy On-site Source

Use/reuse
recovery recycling reduction
Disposal Treatment
Energy & raw
Off-site Resource
Reclamation material
recycling conservation recovery

Shifting emphasis to towards sustainability

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Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 As a Result to Conserve
Resources
New Concepts are continue to being
Developed and Introduced

In this regard
Water Efficiency in
Green Building is a significant step
In Green Building Ratings Water Efficiency
is given a top priority

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

 In Green Building Ratings Water Efficiency
is given a top priority

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

 Green Building
Incorporation of Water Efficiency through

Minimizing Resource Degradation

Minimizing Resource Depletion
Maximizing Resource Efficiency

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

 Green Building Codes - Water Efficiency
Numerous national green building programs given priority for
water conservation;
USGBC LEED (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design)
Rating Systems
Green 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 Homes
Green 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 issues
Green-space, Transportation, stormwater management
Water use reduction
Materials and recycling issues
To reduce the buildings impact on the environment

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

 ASHRAE 189.1 For High Performance
Buildings
Developed in conjunction with USGBC
Proposed as an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) National
Standard
Covers only high performance buildings of 4 floors and more,
including residential
Includes all plumbing & appliances
Focuses on water reuse
Focuses on landscape & landscape irrigation
Does not cover single family homes or low-rise MF
Competes directly with Green Building Initiative (GBI)

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

 GREENSL RATING SYSTEM FOR BUILT
ENVIRONMENT - CHECKLIST
WATER EFFICIENCY 14 Total Points (out of 100) Available
1. Water Efficient Landscaping [1-4 Points]
i. Reduce Potable Water Consumption 2 Points
ii. Eliminate Potable Water Consumption 2 Points
2. Water Efficiency in Air-conditioning System 1 Point
3. Innovative Wastewater Technologies [1-5 Points]
i. Reduce Potable Water Use or Treat Wastewater 2 Points
ii. Harvested Rainwater 3 Points
4. Water Use Reduction 1-5 Points
Under Sustainable Sites 5 Total Points (Total 19 pts ~ 20%)
1. Storm Water Design, Quality Control - I 3 Points
2. Storm Water Design, Quantity Control - II 2 Points

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

 Water Efficiency in Green Buildings
Important definitions
Water Use
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (alternate water)
Rainwater Harvesting
Grey-water systems
Black-water systems
Reclaimed water
Wastewater
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Storm water
Maintain natural hydrologic period of site
Use natural systems to buffer flows

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

 DEFINITIONS

Wastewater
domestic wastewater =sewage =all wastewater
industrial wastewater = process wastewater
Greywater
domestic wastewater except toilet & kitchen wastewater
Blackwater
domestic wastewater from toilets and kitchens
Reclaimed Water
derived from sewage
treated to a standard satisfactory for intended reuse
Biosolids
sludge
not solid waste

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

 Alternate Waters
Gray Water
Reclaim Water
Rainwater
Condensate recovery
Discharge water re-use

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

 Where alternate waters can be used
irrigation,
green roofs,
cooling tower makeup water,
toilet and urinal flushing,
makeup for an ornamental pond/fountain
swimming pools,
laundry,
process use, and
aquifer recharge and wetlands maintenance.

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

 Matching Source to Use

The Quality of the source must be acceptable for use.

Treatment may be required
The quantity of the source must be quantified.

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

 Water Efficient Landscaping

Key points: Reduce Potable Water Consumption,

Eliminate Potable Water Consumption

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

 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.
a. Use of non potable water including rainwater for
landscape irrigation.
b. Use of automatic water efficient irrigation system with
rain sensor.
c. 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 point
Extent of Coverage : At least 80% of the landscape areas additonal1 bonus
point

Green 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.
i. Use of cooling tower water treatment system which
can achieve better cycles of concentration at
acceptable water quality.
ii. Use recycled water from approved sources.

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

 Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Key points: Reduce Potable Water Use or Treat Wastewater,

Harvested Rainwater

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

 Wastewater Treatment
i. Use low resource consuming appropriate
technologies.
ii. Waste stream segregation,
iii. Treat wastewater up to recycle standards and,
iv. Harvest rainwater.

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

 Rainwater Harvesting

Green 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 fixtures

using recycled water
Re-circulating systems for centralized hot water
distribution
Rainwater recovery system
Stormwater Recovery/Mangement

Easily can reduce usage by 30%

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

 Urban Water Recycling and Reuse Options
10% Cooling &
23% Laundry HVAC
15%
34% Toilets Irr
(Residential)
12% Cooling
& HVAC
6% Irrigation 10% Cooling &
23% Laundry 75% Toilets & HVAC
25% Lavs & Urinals 15% Lavs &
Shower Irrigation

12% Cooling
(Commercial) & HVAC
n
75% Toilets &
25% Lavs & Urinals
Note - In select commercial applications 75% or more of all
Shower

potable water used serves toiletry fixtures alone

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

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

 Water Efficient Fittings
Encourage the use of water efficient fittings;

a. Basin taps and mixers

b. Flushing cistern
c. Shower taps, mixers or showerheads
d. Sink/Bib taps and mixers
e. Urinals 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.
a. 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

 High Efficiency Toilets (HETs)
Recommendations
Toilets 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.
Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 Composting Toilets

Phoenix, Inc.

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

 Waterless Urinals

The Waterless Company

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

 Stormwater Management

Key points: Storm Water Design for Quality Control,

Storm Water Design, for Quantity Control.

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

 Stormwater Management
i. Encourage treatment of stormwater run-off before
discharge to the public drains.
ii. 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

 End

E-mail; gemunuh@pdn.ac.lk

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Green Building Workshop; Gemunu Herath, Department of Civil Engineering, UoP
 WATER ON EARTH
0.7% Other
22%
water
Groundwater

2.7%
Freshwater

0.3% Surface
water 77% Glacier
water

97.3% Worlds Total Fresh Waters

Saltwater

Worlds Total Water Resource

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

Freshwater Brackish Saline water Brine

water
DS (ppm) <500 500-20000 20 to 50000 >50000

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