Blueprint for a greener city: growth need not costthe earth

2005 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 61-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.M. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
River System ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Alternative Water

The current human use of global natural resources exceeds the long-term sustainable capacity of the planet. New and more sustainable ways of building cities and providing urban water services are needed. The Australian city of Sydney is expected to grow by more than 1 million people over the next 30 years. Water use from the Hawkesbury-Nepean River system already exceeds system capacity. Current proposals to allocate a greater proportion of low flows to meet environmental flow needs will limit urban water allocations and require the development of more efficient water and sewerage systems for new and existing urban development. This paper presents a hypothetical case study of how water supply and sewerage services might be provided for an additional 1 million people over a 25-year period. It compares traditional service provision with alternative scenarios incorporating water conservation measures, rainwater harvesting and water reuse. The paper presents both economic and environmental comparisons. The economic comparisons include valuations of environmental externalities in the form of environmental levies. It shows that the extra capital costs of water conservation, alternative water sources and water reuse scenarios are offset by operating savings and environmental benefits. Ecological footprints are reduced because of lower water diversions, discharges, energy use and CO2 emissions. The paper also discusses the implication of alternative infrastructure ownership and water pricing arrangements, and the opportunities to create incentives for additional investment in water conservation and reuse projects.

Counting Fish: Environmental Benefits Calculation for Avoided Costs Analysis in Urban Water Use Efficiency Planning

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katie Shulte Joung ◽  
Mary Ann Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
Water Savings ◽  
Urban Water Use ◽  
Use Efficiency

This report documents a project undertaken for the California Urban Water Conservation Council to create a method to calculate water utility avoided costs and assign economic value to the environmental benefits of raw water savings as a result of implementing urban water conservation programs. It is assumed that water savings associated with implementation of conservation programs can be quantified and represented as a reduction in the demand for water from a particular set of supply sources. This demand reduction may in turn result in a change to the availability of an environmental benefit provided by that source. Environmental valuation, as it is applied here, is relatively new and there are numerous complications, ambiguities, data gaps and differences of opinion in the application of the methodology. For that reason, this report should be considered a pioneering effort to put together all the required elements in a single coherent framework.

scholarly journals Energy implications of the millennium drought on urban water cycles in Southeast Australian cities

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 214-221
Author(s):  
K. L. Lam ◽  
P. A. Lant ◽  
S. J. Kenway
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Water Supply Systems ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Related Energy ◽  
Millennium Drought ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Supply Systems

Abstract During the Millennium Drought in Australia, a wide range of supply-side and demand-side water management strategies were adopted in major southeast Australian cities. This study undertakes a time-series quantification (2001–2014) and comparative analysis of the energy use of the urban water supply systems and sewage systems in Melbourne and Sydney before, during and after the drought, and evaluates the energy implications of the drought and the implemented strategies. In addition, the energy implications of residential water use in Melbourne are estimated. The research highlights that large-scale adoption of water conservation strategies can have different impacts on energy use in different parts of the urban water cycle. In Melbourne, the per capita water-related energy use reduction in households related to showering and clothes-washing alone (46% reduction, 580 kWhth/p/yr) was far more substantial than that in the water supply system (32% reduction, 18 kWhth/p/yr). This historical case also demonstrates the importance of balancing supply- and demand-side strategies in managing long-term water security and related energy use. The significant energy saving in water supply systems and households from water conservation can offset the additional energy use from operating energy-intensive supply options such as inter-basin water transfers and seawater desalination during dry years.

Effects of Water Reuse, Recycling and Resource Recovery on Food Processing Waste Treatment in Thailand

1986 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. Frankel ◽  
A. Phongsphetraratana
Keyword(s):  
Food Processing ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Waste Treatment ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Resource Recovery ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Treatment Needs

Two food processing industries in Thailand, namely pineapple canning and tuna/sardine canning, were studied over a 10 year period to document effects of water reuse, recycling and resource recovery (both energy and product) on waste treatment needs and actual operations. Changes in terms of water consumed, energy required, waste generated, and costs per ton of raw material processed were calculated. Lower overall annual costs resulted from all water conservation and energy recovery schemes even though stricter pollution control laws were the motivating factor behind the changes. Unit design parameters of water use, energy use and waste load generated per ton of raw material processed are included for both industries to permit extrapolations for future waste treatment plant designs.

Preliminary economic appraisal of personal rapid transit (PRT) and urban gondola feeder systems serving a university campus and its surrounding major attractions

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79
Author(s):  
Shahram Tahmasseby ◽  
Lina Kattan
Keyword(s):  
Energy Use ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Noise Pollution ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Rapid Transit ◽  
Modal Shift ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Personal Rapid Transit

Personal rapid transit (PRT) and urban gondolas are two types of driverless transit vehicles that are increasingly attracting attention as viable mass transit alternatives in urban environments. Both systems are identified with high reliability of travel time, as they have their own right of way and, thus, do not interact with vehicular traffic. They are also associated with environmental benefits, resulting from their low emissions, energy use, and noise pollution. The objective of this study is the investigation of the potential economic viability of the implementation a PRT feeder line linking the University of Calgary to its surrounding major attraction centres, compared to that of two types of urban gondola systems. The main focus of the research is the examination of the thresholds and feasibility of these emerging urban transit systems relative to certain important inputs, such as capital costs, ridership levels, and modal shift from other modes. The VISSIM microsimulation tool was used to simulate the operation of these systems to replicate more closely the on-demand nature of PRT and to get better estimates of the operating speed, reliability, and passengers waiting, boarding and alighting times for both types of examined systems. The project efficiency was analyzed given the calculated economic cash flow for a certain period (e.g., 30 years). The results indicate that the three examined systems differed widely in terms of their capital cost, maintenance and operating cost, capacity, and their anticipated benefits.

scholarly journals Identification The Application of Water Conservation in Hotel

2018 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 04019
Author(s):  
Kancitra Pharmawati ◽  
Dhuhri Hidayatullah ◽  
Priyadi Wirasakti
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Treatment Plant ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Alternative Water ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Filtration Unit

Water conservation aspect is a part of Green Building concept. In addition, to save more first clean water consumption, The X Hotel applied water conservation aspect, which are the WAC 3 (Water Recycling), WAC 4 (Alternative Water Resources), and the WAC 5 (Rainwater Harvesting) (GBCI, 2013). The plumbing installation system with water conservation aspects at X Hotel aims to distribute first class clean water, dispose of the wastewater to a treatment site with appropriate water requirements refers to SNI 03-7065-2005 X Hotel required 114,640 m3/day of first class clean water, and 91,71 m3/day of the total wastewater discharge, includes 18,35 m3/day of black water and 73,36 m3/day of gray water. The X Hotel has additional alternative sources of water condensate from air conditioner (AC) about 44,16 m3/day and 52,53 m3 of rainwater, that can be used for water closet and urinal flushing in the public area at the Hotel, after through the anaerobic – aerobic biofilter STP (Sewerage Treatment Plant) and membrane filtration unit. After the calculation, water conservation aspects application can reduce first class clean water needs with an efficiency around 10%.

scholarly journals Performance assessment of water reuse strategies using integrated framework of urban water metabolism and water-energy-pollution nexus

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 4582-4597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oriana Landa-Cansigno ◽  
Kourosh Behzadian ◽  
Diego I. Davila-Cano ◽  
Luiza C. Campos
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Domestic Wastewater ◽  
Planning Horizon ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Water Metabolism

Abstract This paper evaluates the metabolism-based performance of a number of centralised and decentralised water reuse strategies and their impact on integrated urban water systems (UWS) based on the nexus of water-energy-pollution. The performance assessment is based on a comprehensive and quantitative framework of urban water metabolism developed for integrated UWS over a long-term planning horizon. UWS performance is quantified based on the tracking down of mass balance flows/fluxes of water, energy, materials, costs, pollutants, and other environmental impacts using the WaterMet2 tool. The assessment framework is defined as a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) within the context of the water-energy-pollution nexus. The strategies comprise six decentralised water reuse configurations (greywater or domestic wastewater) and three centralised ones, all within three proportions of adoption by domestic users (i.e. 20, 50, and 100%). This methodology was demonstrated in the real-world case study of San Francisco del Rincon and Purisima del Rincon cities in Mexico. The results indicate that decentralised water reuse strategies using domestic wastewater can provide the best performance in the UWS with respect to water conservation, green house gas (GHG) emissions, and eutrophication indicators, while energy saving is almost negligible. On the other hand, centralised strategies can achieve the best performance for energy saving among the water reuse strategies. The results also show metabolism performance assessment in a complex system such as integrated UWS can reveal the magnitude of the interactions between the nexus elements (i.e. water, energy, and pollution). In addition, it can also reveal any unexpected influences of these elements that might exist between the UWS components and overall system.

Economic and environmental benefits of urban water reuse in tourist areas

2008 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Lazarova ◽  
Heimata Carle ◽  
Vincent Sturny
Keyword(s):  
Water Reuse ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Economic Viability ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Tertiary Treatment ◽  
Recycled Water ◽  
Reliability Of Operation ◽  
Membrane Treatment ◽  
Public Opposition

This paper presents and discusses the keys of success of a water reuse project for landscape irrigation and other urban uses in Bora Bora, French Polynesia. To better preserve public health and overcome all constraints and public opposition, a membrane tertiary treatment for the production of high-quality recycled water was implemented. Special attention was paid to the reliability of operation and economic viability of membrane treatment, as well as to active public participation with involvement of all stakeholders. The demand for the new recycled water steadily increased during the last two years with a wide diversification of urban uses, not only for irrigation, but also for cleaning, industrial and commercial uses and fire protection. Monetary and non-monetary benefits have been assessed and recognised. As a result of this successful project, new recycling projects are under development.

scholarly journals Addressing the Scarcity of Traditional Water Sources through Investments in Alternative Water Supplies: Case Study from Florida

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2089
Author(s):  
Tatiana Borisova ◽  
Matthew Cutillo ◽  
Kate Beggs ◽  
Krystle Hoenstine
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Demand ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Fresh Groundwater ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Alternative Water ◽  
Alternative Water Supply

This paper examines the capital costs for alternative water supply projects in Florida, the third most populous state in the United States. The increasing scarcity of fresh groundwater in Florida has led to investments in alternative water supply sources, including brackish groundwater, surface water capture and storage, reclaimed water, and stormwater. Expenditures to meet the growing water demand for the 20-year planning horizon are estimated using water demand projections and existing supply estimates from Florida’s five water management districts. In the regions where demand projections exceed the existing supply, the districts are required to identify project options to meet the growing water demand while protecting the natural systems. This study uses the database of 645 projects implemented in the past or considered for the future. The Ordinary Least Squares regression model shows that project implementation costs depend on project capacity, type, implementation status, and implementation region. Given the most common project types and project sizes, the total investments to meet the state’s future water demand could reach almost $2 billion in the next 20 years. The expenditures necessitate more cost-effective options (such as expanding stormwater use and water conservation).

The environmental benefits of water recycling and reuse

2003 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Water Reuse ◽  
Water Cycle ◽  
Environmental Water ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Human Needs ◽  
Water Diversions ◽  
Agriculture Industry

The world's supply of fresh water is finite and is threatened by pollution. Rising demands for water to supply agriculture, industry and cities are leading to competition over the allocation of limited fresh water resources. This paper examines how water reuse increases the available supply of water and enables human needs to be met with less fresh water. The paper is illustrated with water reuse case studies in agriculture, urban areas, industry and water resource supplementation in Australia and other countries. The links between water reuse and sustainable water management are examined. Water conservation and water reuse produce substantial environmental benefits, arising from reductions in water diversions, and reductions in the impacts of wastewater discharges on environmental water quality. Some examples are presented demonstrating the environmental benefits in quantitative terms. The paper also describes the economic and environmental benefits identified in a number of recent integrated water cycle planning studies in Australia.

Sustainable management of urban water resources in China

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Qian
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Water Resource Management ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Wastewater Reclamation ◽  
The Sustainable Development

Due to the rapid development of economy, China has been facing severe water shortage and water pollution problems. This paper discusses three strategies developed for the urban water resource management in China, which is essential for the sustainable development of its economy. These strategies include setting high priority for demand control and water conservation, controlling pollution from the sources and increasing investment for wastewater treatment; and developing untraditional water resources, such as rainwater harvesting, wastewater reclamation, seawater utilization, etc. It is hoped that these strategies may not only solve the water shortage and water pollution problems at low capital and operational costs, but also meet the present and future needs on water resources in China.

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