Plumbing Full Course - Part 6

 

        This is Part 6th of the full Plumbing Course.

Green plumbing practices

Green building standards have come a long way since they were first implemented in California in 1991. Today, there are many different regulations surrounding green building practices. Some of the newer codes include the USGBC's LEED program and the ICC (International Code Council).

The term green plumbing refers to methods that promote water conservation, reuse, recycling, and wastewater treatment through integrated design strategies. These practices are becoming increasingly popular since they are not only cost-effective but can also reduce the strain on local infrastructure, reduce environmental impacts, and create beautiful spaces. Below are some examples of green plumbing practices.

                                Green plumbing refers to the use of water-conserving techniques that save energy and reduce waste production. These include proper irrigation technology, the use of low flow fixtures, and the installation of effective toilets and faucets. By reducing water consumption, green plumbing practices have a positive effect on the environment. In addition, they can help conserve resources and lower overall costs.

The term ‘green building’ has been used since the 1980s in order to describe building design that was eco-friendly. However, when it comes to wastewater treatment technologies, their meaning varies from country to country. This study identifies four major categories of technologies that are applied to wastewater treatment in U.S. green buildings. These include:

1) Biological Treatment Systems (BTS): The most common approach is using activated sludge systems. In these systems, bacteria break down organic material in the wastewater. BTS can cause odors, but they do not require much human intervention compared to other methods.

2) Chemical Treatment Systems (CTS): Some of the chemicals used for CTS are chlorine, ozone, and hydrogen peroxide. These processes are more expensive than BTS; however, they produce no odor.

3) Physical Removal Systems (PRS): PRS includes the use of filters, grit traps, screens, and clarifiers. Each of these processes removes different contaminants. Filters use inert materials to trap particulate matter. Grit traps use large gravel to remove solid particles from water. Screening uses fine mesh screens to capture suspended solids and debris. Clarifiers use mechanical devices like rotating screens to separate oil and grease from water.

4) Combined Waste Water Reclamation/Energy Recovery (WwRER): WwRER combines various technologies to treat both wastewater and energy. Energy recovery involves the production of steam through heat exchangers. This technology produces less GHG emissions than conventional heating and cooling methods.

Green building plumbing systems can range from simple gravity flow systems to complex automated systems. The basic idea behind them is to conserve both water and energy. The term “green building” refers to buildings that are environmentally friendly, typically through the use of renewable resources, passive design features, and/or reduced waste output. Most modern buildings incorporate some form of green building practices into their construction, and it makes sense to learn how to reduce your environmental impact as much as possible.

 Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting takes advantage of natural rainfall-runoff and reuses it for various purposes. In comparison to other forms of harvesting rainwater, this practice does not require any additional equipment besides a few rain barrels or cisterns. Some common uses include landscape irrigation, toilet flushing, and washing your car.

                Rainwater harvesting reduces your reliance on municipal water supplies and lowers your usage of city utilities. These systems use either rain barrels or cisterns to collect water from rooftops and store it for future use. They then release this stored water back into the ground or outdoor landscape via timers or sensors to help replenish groundwater aquifers.

 Grey Water Reuse

Greywater reuse involves the use of household waste streams like a bathtub, shower, sink, and laundry water. This practice is considered environmentally friendly because these wastewaters are usually free from the contaminants that come along with human urine.

                Water recycling and reuse have become increasingly popular recently due to concerns about water shortages and the high costs of potable drinking water. This wastewater treatment system uses the same method that sewage plants do but recycles waste into freshwater rather than putting it into our sewer systems where it can cause clogs.

Proper Irrigation Technology

To properly irrigate your garden, you need to make sure that you are using the right type of device. For example, if you grow in pots, then watering devices known as rockers are best. They provide consistent coverage at regular intervals and allow excess water to drain away from the base of each pot. However, these types of devices are not suitable for planting outdoors due to their size. Instead, if you live in an area where rainwater is plentiful, use drip emitters and other small devices to ensure optimal efficiency.

 Low Flow Fixtures

Low flow fixtures are designed to minimize wasted water usage by restricting the amount of water entering the fixture. This type of device forces water through a narrow opening and allows only enough to reach the bottom of the fixture, preventing overflow. If you use this type of device, you do not need to worry about wasting precious water. This feature makes them ideal for both indoor and outdoor gardens.

                The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a series of green-building guides that offer practical information about how to build water-efficient homes. In addition, the program provides guidance on what materials are the best choices for those who want to use less energy.

They cover four different types of residential buildings -- single-family homes, multifamily housing, commercial buildings, and public facilities.

Water Efficient Landscaping

The water-efficient landscape design has been developing rapidly in recent years. This trend reflects the increase in urbanization and energy conservation awareness in the general public. There are many benefits of implementing such practices in residential and commercial landscapes.

In order to understand how these practices can impact your project, here we present one common application:

Water-saving irrigation systems

With the development of drip tape technology, you can save up to 70% of water compared to traditional sprinklers and other forms of irrigation systems. Drip tape systems make use of small emitters that control the amount of water delivered to each area in order to maximize efficiency while maintaining consistent coverage.

Reduction of use of Municipal Potable water

Most cities are now using rainwater collection systems (gutters) for their drinking water supply instead of purchasing treated municipal water. In some areas, these gutters can be used to capture stormwater runoff from roofs without any additional treatment. This type of system provides a natural filtration of waste before being released into local waterways.

 A high percentage of water-efficient fixtures like faucets and showerheads have been installed in many homes. These types of products use significantly less water than traditional models. Many municipalities are starting to mandate that water-saving products should be adopted within buildings.

 Installing high-efficiency clothes washers can save thousands of gallons of water per year

High-efficiency dryers can save hundreds of gallons of water per load

Low flow showerheads provide superior water conservation while still maintaining quality.

Innovative Wastewater Technologies

1. An innovative wastewater technology that has been developed at UAH is the use of activated carbon fiber filters. Carbon Fiber Filters are manufactured using recycled plastic fibers from the waste stream of the manufacturing processes. It works through adsorption and ion exchange; water passes through these filters while various contaminants are trapped.

2. Another innovation is the use of a waterless urinal. This device replaces traditional urinals with a system of small tubes that collect urine on the surface of the floor rather than in the bowl. This creates less mess and eliminates the need to clean the toilet bowl after each use.

3. A third innovative technology is the use of greywater for irrigation and other purposes. Greywater is used in toilets, sinks, showerheads, etc. This water carries impurities from the bathroom fixtures into the sewage system. By using this water, we can save money and reduce our dependence on municipal sewer systems.

4. Storm Water Management: Storm drains are typically designed to discharge combined rain runoff, snowmelt, and urban drainage. However, these storm drains can still overflow during heavy rainfall events, causing erosion and flooding problems. A better solution would be to install rain gardens or permeable pavement surfaces instead. These absorb surface water runoff before it reaches storm drains and prevents it from flowing into rivers or streams. This helps reduce flooding and eliminates the need for costly infrastructure projects.

Waterless urinals

Green Building plumbings are becoming more common as we strive to minimize our impact on the environment. Many cities have laws requiring green building practices, and the cost of traditional plumbing systems can make this an expensive option. If your city does not require water-saving plumbing systems, then it may be time to explore the benefits of using a waterless urinal. These systems use no water while still providing a high-quality flush. They can be used at any public restroom facility, including schools, hospitals, and restaurants. There are many manufacturers who sell these products, and they usually come with instructions that show how to install them properly. A waterless urinal requires less maintenance than a conventional system, and you can save money over the long run.

                    A waterless urinal is a urine collection device that uses gravity and negative pressure to collect and flush bodily waste from a toilet bowl into a container without using water. This type of urinal is used in commercial applications but can also be used in residential settings.

 Energy Efficient Shower Heads

Showers are a great way to relax after a long day, and they provide a good opportunity to get clean. However, standard showerheads often use a lot of hot water, making the average shower last a full 20 minutes. This means that the shower consumes a lot of electricity, leaving you dry, dirty, and tired! Luckily, there are now several types of showerheads designed specifically to save water and improve shower performance. Some models help direct warm air toward your body, allowing you to feel more comfortable as you wash yourself. Others cut down on wasted water by monitoring the amount of water being used and adjusting accordingly. Still, others are able to adjust the intensity of the water stream to match the power being used, saving even more water.

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Part 1 -- Click Here!!

Part 2 -- Click Here!!

Part 3 -- Click Here!!

Part 4 -- Click Here!!

Part 5 -- Click Here!!