Glick, S; Leed, A P; Guggemos, A A and Price, J (2011) Increasing resource efficiency through residential greywater use. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 7(1), pp. 41-57. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
To support population growth, a viable fresh water supply, supporting water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, and electric capacity is needed. Historically the answer to growing demand was to build more reservoirs, however; viable potential sites are not plentiful. In addition, infrastructure for water supply and treatment is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming to develop. Greywater use offers the opportunity to stretch our water supply and electrical capacity through dual water use and less treatment. Greywater may offer a viable solution to increasing water supplies in the near term as we plan and development new water resources. This research identifies the potential impacts of greywater toilets on a large scale in two communities that are considering building additional water storage capacity. The use of greywater toilet systems in new and existing homes in these communities could potentially support new residential growth for 3.4 years in these areas. This could reduce the pressure on the existing water system while the new water supply infrastructure and electrical capacity are developed. This time extension may also support water saving technology development, thus further reducing water demand. A case study identifies possible savings from greywater toilets in reducing the demand on existing water resources.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | energy use; greywater toilets; residential growth; water infrastructure |
| Index terms: | resource efficiency, energy use, case study, fresh water, savings, water resource, reservoir, population, technology development, water supply |
| Subjects: | economic analysis, innovation and technology management, demography, data collection methods, energy systems, water management, management, environmental engineering, infrastructure and transport systems |
| Topics: | Urban Studies, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Sustainability |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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