Description: Water is essential for life, for our economy and ultimately our civilization. If water is so essential for the survival of our civilization, how, then can we engineer a system that integrates water to the needs of our society in a sustainable way? This module addresses this question in three parts through a review of the literature and by introducing some new ideas. In Part 1 freshwater availability, water use in the US, and water shortages are discussed. In Part 2, the current water infrastructure in urban settings and problems associated with it are discussed from the perspective of sustainability. These issues include the age of the infrastructure, the high energy consumption due to the water infrastructure, the design considerations such as the use of potable water for all purposes, absence of on-site re-use practices, and combined collection of urine, feces, and grey water. In Part 3, progress towards designing a sustainable water infrastructure is discussed by introducing two approaches at different scales. In the building scale approach changes are recommended towards decentralization and use of rainwater and wastewater as resources. In the larger scale approach, efficiency is recommended within the different water use categories.
Cost: Free
Learning Resource Type: Teaching - Case Study (College Freshman - Graduate)
Media Type: Document
Difficulty: Easy
Audience: From College Freshman To Graduate
Interventions: Not Specified
Resource Use: Excerpt from findings: The engineering education community is now at a critical juncture. To date, there has been a significant level of ý??grass-rootsý?ý activities but little structure or organization. The next step will be for engineering accreditation bodies to think critically about what should or should not be included in a curriculum into which sustainable engineering has been incorporated. The path forward will require the evolution of a set of community standards. This document provides an inventory of what is currently available and can serve as a resource as professional organizations develop these standards.
Interactivity: Not Specified
Publication Date: Not Specified
Platform: WWW
Copyright: Ask primary author for permission
Comments: 1)Rating: 3_x000D_Title: How I Use Water Sustainability in the U.S.: From Water Use to Water Infrastructure, 7/6/11_x000D_By: Cliff Davidson_x000D_Details: Excerpt from findings: The engineering education community is now at a critical juncture. To date, there has been a significant level of �??grass-roots�?� activities but little structure or organization. The next step will be for engineering accreditation bodies to think critically about what should or should not be included in a curriculum into which sustainable engineering has been incorporated. The path forward will require the evolution of a set of community standards. This document provides an inventory of what is currently available and can serve as a resource as professional organizations develop these standards.