Adopt a Watershed

Water-scarce countries are proving to be hotbeds of technological innovation with Israel providing working proof of the old saying, necessity is the mother of all invention. It has been suggested, controversially, that part of the reason for tensions in this area of the world are partly due to water shortages and disagreements over who holds water rights. Given the scenario, companies have been galvanized by the Israeli government’s decision in 2006 to launch a programme to support water companies.

The result is a technology-led efficiency drive.  One company, for example, features what it calls “biomass carriers” in their wastewater treatment plants. These small plastic structures with a large surface area give bacteria more space to grow and thus allow biological contaminants to be consumed more quickly. The result is that the treated water can be put back in to circulation quicker.

Other companies have focused on discovering leaks in water supply networks; up until recently, suppliers only really knew they had a leak when they could hear the noise of gushing water. Technology can now be used to sift through the flow data generated by sensors that many networks now have to look for anomalies. If it only takes a persistent 1% change in flow rate to indicate a possible leak, it’s clear why this kind of monitoring system is proving increasingly popular in those places with large, complex networks.

Some of the technology that is being developed in Israel also has a wider environmental application, in the form of reducing the amount of water required to treat wastewater. It’s estimated that 2% of the world’s power-generating capacity is used to treat wastewater; an idea being trialed is the use of special bacteria that can actually convert wastewater pools into a source of energy. If they work, treatment plants could become dual-purpose: water purification and electricity generation. It’s ambitious and only in its early stages, but it illustrates the potential of technology to achieve true environmental sustainability.

As with other examples of technological innovation, a set of conditions needs to coincide for takeoff to be achieved. In the case of Israel, there are plenty of skilled scientists, a firmly ingrained entrepreneurial culture, and an obvious shortage of fresh water.; ideal conditions for Israel to become the Silicon Valley of water technology. If the technology can be fine-tuned and become viable in the global market, it’s possible to see serious growth in this area of water resource management.

Water resource management requires a range of solutions from correct pricing to increased education on the subject, but the demand for the resource is a little like a runaway train. The best hope, perhaps, for reducing water stress and the likelihood of future flash-points is by closing the gap between demand and supply and technology can play a big part in helping the supply of water keep pace.

 Reference Hybrid Cars: The Evolution of the Hybrid Car

A sustainable development should make efficient use of available water resources. 97% of the world’s water is seawater, 2.7% is polar ice, leaving just 0.3% as water usable for consumption. In the developed world, demand for water has increased by more than 70% over the past forty years as labor saving devices such as washing machines, dishwashers and showers have become commonplace. As developing countries become more affluent, their citizens tend to want similar labor saving products.  Across the globe, increased urbanization and the need for more agricultural land to feed a growing population have combined to severely damage natural habitats and disrupt natural water cycles. In many parts of the world, the water cycle is being further disrupted by climate change. In some instances, water resources have already become a cause of political tension between neighboring countries and such occurrences are likely to increase as water security becomes more of an issue.

In order to achieve the goal of reduced water usage, developers should specify products that use less water than the alternatives or which make use of recycled water. Examples of such products include:

• Toilets that use less water to flush
• Smaller bathtubs that need less water to fill
• Washing machines and dishwashers with high water efficiency ratings
• Drought resistant soft landscaping

Grey water (waste water from sinks, baths, and showers) can be recycled on-site to provide the water needed to flush toilets and wash clothes. Rainwater can also be harvested and used for similar purposes. In the future, technologies may improve to the point where black water (waste water from toilets) can also be recycled and safely used for similar purposes.

However, specifying such products will not be sufficient by itself to reduce water consumption. The residents of new developments need to be taught how to change their water usage habits. Examples of changes that they can make include:

• Fill a bowl with water when washing fruit or vegetables and use the waste water to water plants
• Not leaving  the tap running when washing teeth
• Only running washing machines and dishwashers when there is a full load
• Taking showers instead of baths, and keeping shower times to a minimum

Many developers now provide residents with information on how to minimize water usage via leaflets, brochures, and meetings. Installing water meters helps to reduce consumption, as when residents are billed for the exact amount of the water they use, they tend to use less.

As well as ensuring that water usage is kept to a minimum, developers also need to minimize the vulnerability of the properties they build by not building in flood prone areas. As global warming progresses, many areas of the world face becoming more prone to flooding. Water will become a threat to residents’ well-being and can have disastrous effects to life and property. Good planning and urban design helps to mitigate the impacts of flooding, thus ensuring the safety and security of residents.

Reducing Energy Usage of New Developments
You Are Here Reducing Water Usage of New Developments
Encouraging Biodiversity on New Developments
Reducing Construction Waste
Becoming a Sustainable Business
ISO 14001 Accreditation