conservation
submeters water projects storm water waterways watershed infrastructure
Water and Energy Projects
are catalysts in generating new employment opportunities and entrepreneurial
efforts in communities that are in the forefront of managing watershed and
water resources issues in urban and rural settings.
Managing
Water Resources
Communities are confronting
new and complex challenges to achieve safe and affordable water supplies,
collect and treat waste water and storm water, flood protection, rivers and
streams for fishing and swimming. There are also challenges with aging
infrastructure and the impact of climate change on human health and ecosystems.
Challenges that Require New
Infrastructure and Approaches to Urban Water Resources
Storm Water if rain is not
properly managed and flows over impervious surfaces into the nearest storm
drain, it can have a detrimental effect on rivers and streams. In an urban
environment, storm water is also closely related to safety, flooding, waterway
health and drinking water.
Waterways urbanization is
responsible for many of the sources that contribute to waterway degradation.
Increases in impervious surface area and runoff have negative effects on stream
flow. Once the natural physical condition of a waterway is compromised by
pollution or excessive runoff, it sets off a chain of degradation: erosion,
water temperature changes and habitat loss.
Watershed groups, municipalities, agencies, and
conservation groups working together to develop watershed and restoration
plans, implement projects and return streams to healthy thriving systems by
implementing watershed assessments and planning programs, quality control plans,
floodplain protection, land use management and storm water best management
practices and more.
Infrastructure Requires
Continuous Inspection and Maintenance
Water Conservation the true cost of water in a property should be measured as the water rate + the sewer
rate multiplied by the water consumption volume + plus fees and other associated
costs. In addition, while the water usage profile varies by building
type and use, mechanical systems account for 30 percent of water use in a
typical building, with cooling towers nearly 50 percent and outdoor usage
another 20-30 percent.
Water Heating
Accounts for Eight Percent of Energy Consumption in Commercial Buildings
Sub meters help identify
inefficiencies and malfunctions as leaks account for six percent of water usage
and older fixtures consume up to five times more water prompting installation
of leak detection systems.
Innovative
Solutions to Achieve Water Quality