APWA.net Event Detail

Date(s):

November 4, 2010

Location:

Audio/Web Broadcast

Cost:

Members: $175.00
Non Members: $300.00

Description:

Precious water resources are becoming scarcer and many municipalities face long-term water shortages. Sign up today for this review of two sustainable water management practices - gray water reuse and rainwater harvesting - and discover how you can realize both water conservation and potential energy savings by reducing the amount of water and wastewater that requires treatment. Hear about how gray water from sinks, showers, washing machines, and more can be used for purposes like toilet flushing and landscape irrigation at both residential and public facilities - all with minimal treatment. Discover how rainwater harvesting is being utilized to manage stormwater runoff and reduce treated water usage in two municipalities. Learn about the applications both water management strategies can offer residential and public facilities.

After viewing this program, participants will be better able to:

- Identify the applications and standards for gray water use

- Understand how successful rainwater harvesting programs are utilized in other municipalities

- Understand the impact of these water management strategies on water conservation efforts

This program has been approved for .2 CEUs or 2 PDHs. The form to request
these credits is included in the handouts for this program. Please note there is
a $5 fee per individual requesting CEUs.

Speaker:

Dr. Sybil Sharvelle

Assistant Professor
Colorado State University

Dr. Sharvelle has served as a faculty member at Colorado State University since 2007 with research on graywater reuse, reclaimed wastewater reuse and anaerobic digestion for methane capture and use.

There is a growing interest for innovative approaches to water resources sustainability as water supply becomes more limited throughout the world. One approach that is gaining popularity is household graywater reuse for residential landscape irrigation or toilet flushing. This water requires very little treatment for reuse applications, thus providing the opportunity to generate substantial water savings. In addition, energy savings are realized when graywater is reused because both water and wastewater treatment requirements are reduced. Dr. Sharvelle is currently leading a project funded by the Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) to examine long-term effects of application of untreated graywater to landscape irrigation. Other projects that she is working on include: evaluation of graywater reuse for irrigation and toilet flushing at a CSU residence hall, evaluation of energy capture from blackwater through anaerobic digestion, evaluation of constructed wetlands for graywater treatment, providing management plans for reuse of reclaimed wastewater, and development of models to evaluate water and cost savings associated with urban water conservation methods.

While pursuing a M.S. degree at the University of Colorado Boulder, she worked on a project funded by NASA to develop a biological processor for treatment of urine-soap wastewater expected to be generated at the International Space Station. The focus of this work was optimization of the nitrification and denitrification steps for complete removal nitrogen from the wastewater. The end use of the water would be drinking water. This research led Dr. Sharvelle to the Ph.D. program at Purdue University where she was part of the NASA Specialized Center for Research and Training (NSCORT) focused on advanced life support (ALS) research. This was a multidisciplinary center comprised of 21 primary investigators from different departments. The goal of center was to recycle valuable resources such as water and air, while recovering important nutrients. Her specific project was a biological processing unit for simultaneous treatment of graywater (laundry and hygiene wastewater) and waste gas contaminated with high levels of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. The multi-component ALS system proposed was a completely closed loop system. As resources become scarcer on earth, technologies such as those developed for NASA advanced life support systems will become crucial to human survival. Dr. Sharvelle�s previous research experience in closed loop life support led her to research in the area of sustainable water and waste management.

Speaker:

Fernando B. Molina

Public Information Officer
Tucson Water
Tucson, Arizona

Fernando Molina has over 25 years of professional experience in water management, including eight years assisting with water rights verification and serving as compliance officer with the Arizona Department of Water Resources.

Fernando served as Conservation Program Manager for Tucson Water from 1990 to 2009. In that capacity, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of Water Conservation programming, including planning, development, and implementation of public information, education and training, and direct assistance programs.

As Public Information Officer, he still oversees the Water Conservation Program, but is also responsible for all public information and education efforts for Tucson Water, including media and community relations.

Fernando is a native of Tucson, and attended local schools. He graduated from the University of Arizona, with a Bachelors degree in Geography and Biology/Ecology.

Speaker:

Wing K. Tam, P.E.

Assistant Division Manager
Watershed Protection Division
Bureau of Sanitation
City of Los Angeles

Mr. Wing Tam is the Assistant Division Manager with the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation, Watershed Protection Division. He is responsible for management oversight of stormwater quality project implementation. He is a Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California and has over 25 years of management experience in water resources, wastewater, stormwater, finance, and Information Management and Geographic Information Systems technology. Mr. Tam has focused on urban runoff and stormwater quality management in the Los Angeles area for the last 20 years. Mr. Tam currently leads the effort for the City�s Rainwater Harvesting Program, Proposition O Clean Water Bond Program, Green Streets/Infrastructures Initiative, and TMDLs program developing and implementing multi-benefit and environmentally sensitive solutions utilizing leading-edge sustainable technologies to enhance the natural and built environment that will assist the City in meeting TMDLs regulations.

Speaker:

MODERATOR: Natalie Postel, P.E.

Water Resources Engineer
CDM
Kansas City, MO

Content Questions:

Christina Davis
(800) 848-2792
education@apwa.net

Technology Questions:

Christina Davis
(800) 848-2792
education@apwa.net