Engineering Inc. - January/February 2008 - 13

Water Shortage D • Conservation and efficiency is critical to helping consumers and utilities save water and reduce the funds needed for new and larger facilities. The EPA has modeled its new incentive-based Water Sense program, which supports the use of water-conserving technologies and products, after its highly successful Energy Star program, which was created to promote energy conservation through smart use and education as opposed to increased government regulation. • Better management of watersheds, including agricultural runoff and storm drain runoff. “These programs can reduce costs for wastewater utilities downstream by preventing pollution upstream,” Grumbles explains. The EPA also supports a credit-trading program that would create economic market-based incentives for utilities and agencies within a watershed area. Grumbles says such a system would accelerate the restoration of watersheds throughout the United States. Other organizations, such as AWWA, for example, say the answer to the nation’s water woes is dependent upon wholesale changes at the local, state and federal levels, including research and development dollars for new technologies, an increased emphasis on education and better state and federal programs that streamline grants, loans and financing. Cutting red tape also is a priority. According to AWWA, the use of alternative procurement methods and a design-build process for infrastructure procurement trims construction costs by 20 percent to 40 percent. The concept has been used successfully in several instances, though procurement laws in many states and localities often impede the design-build process. CSU’s Roesner says policymakers, utilities and consumers also must re-evaluate common assumptions and standard practices. “We must think outside the box and look at how we can reduce the need for expensive centralized water treatment facilities,” he says. This includes the use of graywater (nonindustrial wastewater) for nonpotable uses, such as toilets and irrigation. In new housing developments, he says, roughts and water shortages are nothing new. indeed, concerns are mounting over the ability to deliver water to large segments of the population. rapid urban growth, particularly in the arid Southwest, aging infrastructure and global climate change all are contributing to what might one day amount to the perfect drought. “we are seeing a scarcity of water in an increasing number of locations,” says colorado State university civil and environmental engineering professor Larry roesner. Florida is grappling with a scarcity of water and will almost certainly face problems in dealing with its projected population growth. Georgia has experienced a severe drought that threatens the water supply for millions of residents. the Great Lakes are shrinking; Lake ontario has dropped seven inches in the past year. And, in the western united States, the rocky mountains and the Sierra nevada range— major sources of water for millions—are seeing snow melt earlier and faster every year. Boat docks stand utilities from coast to coast are employing a above water in number of strategies to head off a crisis. more than Georgia’s drought1,000 desalination plants already exist in the united depleted Lake Lanier. States and more are planned—though operating these facilities is expensive and energy-intensive. water reuse and reclamation is on the rise. Florida, for example, reuses 240 billion gallons annually—though it’s not nearly enough to offset demand. utilities everywhere are beginning to recognize the need to improve conservation. Says roesner: “there is enormous waste in both agriculture and urban areas. we need to place a greater emphasis on landscaping that minimizes the need for water.” what it comes down to in the end, says the environmental Protection Agency’s Benjamin Grumbles, is good decision-making. “ultimately, we must make smart water choices. we must move toward greater sustainability.” builders should consider dual-plumbed structures—structures that employ separate water systems for recycled water and potable water—which reportedly can cut the demand for treated water by 50 percent. Likewise, Roesner says, it’s important to rethink and re-examine storm drain management. “We need to find ways to design drainage facilities so that we preserve streams in urbanized watersheds,” he says. In many instances, the cost and problems associated with downstream pollution—as a result of fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants in the water supply— add to infrastructure costs, as well as health and public safety concerns. In addition, he says, it’s important to manage aquifers and ground water more effectively. “A lot of incremental improvements add up to a significant gain.” Peter Carlson, a lobbyist for the water industry, says the litany of federal, state and local agencies that oversee different aspects of water distribution and infrastructure makes it tough to spur changes. “The lack of communication between federal agencies makes it difficult to address big-picture infrastructure issues,” he says. “That’s why we’re now seeing legislation in Congress to create water commissions and infrastructure commissions. There’s a recognition that something has to be done.” In testimony submitted to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee late last year, ACEC President Dave Raymond called for a renewed commitment to the nation’s water infrastructure. “The need for increased investment is tremendous and has been welldocumented as our nation suffers from rapidly deteriorating water infrastructure systems, and a $300 billion to $500 billion shortfall in necessary funding over the next 20 years,” he said. JaNuaRy / FEbRuaRy 2008 ENGINEERING INC. 13 AP Photo/john BAzemore

Engineering Inc. - January/February 2008

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Engineering Inc. - January/February 2008