June 2010 Archives

Two months have passed since the BP oil leak began. With more than 100,000 barrels of oil now released into the Gulf of Mexico, watching and listening to news about the spill can leave one with a sense of helplessness and despair. You may find yourself wondering "will it ever end" or even "hasn't this been solved yet". The footage of suffering animals and failed attempts at capping the pipe are hard to endure on such an ongoing basis. Even the comedy routines by Jay Leno, Steven Colbert and Jon Stewart about plugging the pipe can get depressing... Are those tears from laughing or are you really crying now? Each day the news has updates on how much oil has been spilled and how BP is trying (unsuccessfully) to stop it. New wave media, including YouTube, has gone one step beyond reporting, inviting viewers to chime in with a solution. It seems like we're all trying but nothing is working.

The BP website has frequent updates on their response to the spill and currently that includes collecting and burning or "flaring" excess oil. On June 21st alone BP spent 12 hours collecting and burning oil. By the end of the day the total oil released through the broken pipe was approximately 25,830 barrels. Of that total, 15,560 barrels of oil were collected, 10,270 barrels were flared off, and 52.2 million cubic feet of natural gas was also flared. It may be the best available option for reducing the impact on local wildlife but that's a lot of entropy and CO2... Expect gas prices to rise soon!

Despite efforts to clean up the oil from the Gulf of Mexico, wildlife in the area is still being affected. The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) states that more than 400 species of fish and other wildlife rely on the Gulf Coast for food, cover, and breeding grounds. As a result of the BP oil spill, it may take many decades for these species to fully recover, if at all. So far there are 47 dead mammals, 957 dead birds, and 387 dead sea turtles. For more information on the impact the oil spill has had on wildlife, go to http://www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/Effects-on-Wildlife.aspx.

With so much depressing and disheartening news flooding in, many concerned citizens worldwide have experienced a growing need to help. Yet, many more feel at a loss for how to help. Fortunately, whether you live near the spill or not, there are things you can do to make a difference and we've listed them here. The National Wildlife Federation suggests the following three areas of opportunity:

1. Volunteer
2. Take Action
3. Share

Specifically, you can donate to the NWF's Gulf Coast Surveillance Team. The NWF, its five gulf affiliates, and many others use the Gulf Coast Surveillance Teams to track and report on the impact of the oil spill, support wildlife rescues and rehabilitation efforts, and restore damaged delicate coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to donations, these teams are looking for volunteers that have skills in wildlife observation and tracking (whether as bird watchers, naturalists, or sportsmen). People who are knowledgeable about the Gulf Coast and its waters, can identify native species of birds, fish, turtles, marine mammals and other animals that will be at risk from the oil spill, and are local to one of the surveillance locations. These volunteer opportunities can be found at http://www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/Surveillance-Network.aspx. Who knows, you might even meet your future spouse at one of these events... Good people wanted!

In addition to volunteering, you can take action by holding BP accountable for the damages caused by the spill. The NWF websites states that, "rather than assuming full responsibility for the costs of their recklessness on wildlife . . . the price tag could be pushed off on you, the American taxpayer. Currently, outdated legislation puts BP off the hook for damages above $75 million, even though this is less than one day's profit for BP!" The NWF website has setup an action center where you can write a message to congress urging them to hold BP accountable for their negligence.

You can also help by leveraging social media tools to spread the word about the oil spill. This falls into the third "share" category and while it's hard to believe there is anyone in the world who hasn't heard about the spill, there is a lot you can share on how to help address it locally. This could range from deploying nets and filters to protect small beaches to fund raisers and group trips to animal rescue sites.

The NWF is currently looking for dedicated online wildlife advocates to help them spread messages about the impact of the oil spill on wildlife and to share information about how people can help. You can stay informed by watching the news or reading articles online like this one and posting the information you gather on social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter. Depending on where you live, your opportunities to help will be unique and that's where crowd sourcing and sharing comes into play. There are badges you can post to your websites or blogs at http://www.nwf.org/Oil-Spill/Ways-To-Help/Share.aspx and you can find out more about how technology can help wildlife at http://blogs.nwf.org/arctic_promise/2010/05/7-ways-to-use-technology-social-media-help-wildlife-in-the-gulf-oil-spill.html.

These are just some of the many ways you can do something to help with the BP oil spill. Remember that you can also donate to wildlife organizations such as the Audubon Society, The National Wildlife Federation, and the World Wildlife Fund whether oil has been spilled or not. These organizations do a lot to keep ecosystems strong so plants and animals have a fighting chance to endure something like an oil spill, should it ever occur. Also, if you buy a bottle of Dawn and activate online, one dollar will be donated to the International Bird Rescue Research Center and the Marine Mammal Center. More information on what Dawn is doing to help with the wildlife rescue effort can be found at http://dawn-dish.com/en_US/savingwildlife.do. Feel free to post other donation programs and sponsorships below in the comments.

Whichever way you choose to help with the BP oil spill, always remember the positive difference you can make in the way you live. Consider riding your bicycle or walking more and recycling as much and as often as possible. Oil continues to grow in price and the price is manifest in more than just currency as this spill demonstrates. Stay positive and remember that one person can make a difference.

Last week Erin Reilly wrote a piece on gray water reclaimation and conservation that touched on a few new technologies that are helping to make it easier for homeowners to save water and money. Since then we've learned even more about these systems and have an overview on the Water Legacy residential graywater reclamation system below. We've also spotted a nice video on the subject called "Why Flush Good Water Down the Toilet" that features Water Legacy technology.

The Water Legacy Residential Graywater Reclamation System conserves potable water by recycling spent water typically released to the dwelling's sewer discharge. Wastewater generated by residences can be classified into two categories: blackwater and graywater. While blackwater is contaminated to levels that prohibit internal reuse, graywater can be treated and stored for internal non-potable reuse. Water savings is achieved by using reclaimed water instead of potable water, where permitted. In the average US household this can account for 12 to 24 thousand gallons per year in waste water alone!

A typical residence discharges blackwater from toilets, dishwashers, clothes washers, and kitchen sinks; and graywater is discharged from showers, baths, and hand sinks. The amount of contaminants in graywater is far less than in blackwater. The Water Legacy functions on the simple premise that graywater can be treated to a level safe enough for reuse using a multibarrier approach in non-potable applications, mainly toilet flushing. Residential users can save valuable potable water by flushing toilets with spent graywater that would otherwise be sent directly down the drain despite still having beneficial use potential. The Water Legacy system treats graywater for reuse in toilets without exposing humans or pets to E. coli.

So how does this graywater treatment system work and how does it remove the E. coli bacteria that could potentially make people sick? The Water Legacy consists primarily of a water filter, ultraviolet light disinfection system, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) disinfection system, and a 55-gallon water storage tank. Graywater is collected from showers, baths, and hand sinks via a graywater plumbing system. The graywater plumbing system is separate from the blackwater plumbing system. The water collected from the graywater plumbing is first filtered by the Water Legacy. The graywater is then dosed with the disinfecting agent hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide disinfects graywater by releasing oxygen molecules to neutralize pollutants. Finally, graywater passes through an ultraviolet light disinfection system. Ultraviolet light disinfects the graywater by neutralizing living organisms by altering their DNA structure. Hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light are commonly used for wastewater disinfection. Disinfected graywater is stored in a 55-gallon drum for reuse until a toilet is flushed, creating demand for the treated water. Treated water is piped to the toilet via a separate plumbing system. In the event graywater production exceeds the demand for treated stored water, treated water safely overflows the storage tank to the dwelling's sewer discharge. Residual hydrogen peroxide mixed in the treated water prevents contaminants from reactivating in the storage and toilet tanks. Treated water is also cycled through the ultraviolet light system prior to delivery to the toilet.

A typical newly constructed home discharges via showers an amount of water approximately equivalent to the water used for toilet flushing. Research shows that showerheads discharge approximately 10.33 gallons per person per day and toilets consume 8.16 gallons per person per day. A typical dwelling unit has, on average, 2.62 residents. A typical dwelling unit can therefore save approximately 7,800 gallons of potable water per year by recycling graywater from the showers alone.

The Water Legacy is not intended to treat graywater to drinking water standards or for direct human contact. The Water Legacy is designed to treat graywater to a level that is hygienically acceptable for toilet reuse. Graywater has the potential to contain numerous water-borne pathogenic microorganisms. The potential for transmission of these through inhalation, contact, or indirect ingestion by humans and pets is of concern in the marketplace. In response, Water Legacy, LLC has evaluated the capability of the hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light disinfection systems to reduce E. coli in the treated graywater. E. coli is an easy to measure indicator species. Accompanying presences of pathogens is a possibility when E. coli is detected.

A laboratory study was conducted by Christie Chatterley and Dr. Karl G. Linden of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering. The laboratory study analyzed the effectiveness of the Water Legacy's disinfection systems in reducing E. coli. Four principle subjects were evaluated:

1. Does the hydrogen peroxide lose effectiveness over time?
2. Does hydrogen peroxide kill E. coli in graywater?
3. Does ultraviolet light kill E. coli in graywater?
4. Does the combination of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light kill E. coli?

The Laboratory Study concluded the following:

1. Hydrogen peroxide does not lose effectiveness over time.
2. Hydrogen peroxide decreases the amount of but does not completely eliminate E. coli.
3. Ultraviolet light disinfection decreases E. coli below detectable levels.
4. A combination of hydrogen peroxide and ultraviolet light disinfection is the most effective at reducing E. coli.

The Laboratory Study also adds that graywater examined in the laboratory likely has higher E. coli concentrations than graywater generated by homes; treated water will receive additional E. Coli reduction from the final pass through the ultraviolet disinfection system before discharge to the toilet; and hydrogen peroxide residual will help prevent the reactivation of E. Coli in the Water Legacy-treated water storage tank and toilet tanks.

According to the 2009 version of the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) , Reclaimed Water is defined as, "Nonpotable water that meets or as a result of treatment, meets federal requirements for its intended uses. The level of treatment and quality of the reclaimed water shall be approved by the Authority having jurisdiction." E. coli removal standards for jurisdictions vary. The laboratory study result of non-detect meets the E. coli water reuse standard for reclaimed water reuse in Colorado (126 cfu per 100 mL).

Water Legacy, LLC strives to provide a cost-effective way to reduce potable water demand in our homes. The Water Legacy Residential Graywater Reclamation System satisfies that goal by capturing water that would typically be wasted, treating it, and returning it to our toilets for beneficial use.

The alternative energy movement has gotten a lot of attention and followers lately, especially with the growing concern about green house gases and global warming. While the alternative energy movement is important, there is another equally important movement afoot that deserves attention: the recycling of water, or more accurately, greywater reuse.

Greywater is the waste water generated from laundry or bathing that can be recycled for uses in such things as landscape watering. The water used in toilets and the kitchen, however, cannot be recycled because it contains dangerous pathogens. This water is called black water.

Why is it important to recycle water? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American household uses 400 gallons of fresh water a day. To give you a better idea of how someone can use that much water, consider this. In an article on greywater reuse in the 2010 edition of the Farmer's Almanac by Jim Kneiszel, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection reported that 35 percent of household water is used for showers and baths, 30 percent for flushing toilets, 20 percent in laundry, 10 percent in food preparation, cleanup, and drinking water, and 5 percent for household cleaning. Most of that water goes straight to the sewers without being recycled.

One of the easiest ways to recycle water is to rout bathwater into toilet tanks, where it can be used once more before becoming sewage, or black water. Another way to reuse water, according to the article in the Farmer's Almanac, is to rout it out of the house into drip irrigation for lawns and garden plants that will not be harmed by soups or other pollutants in the water.

Because water is becoming scarce and the price of water is rising, many companies are trying to create simple retrofit systems that will route bathwater through a filter to a tank, which, Kneiszel writes, is "similar to the size of a water softener system where [the water] is treated with chlorine to neutralize odor-causing bacteria before being sent to toilet tanks for reuse."

A Canadian company called Brac Systems, markets a retrofit system for $2,000 ($5,000 with professional installation). The company claims that this unit reduces water usage for a family of four by 20,000 gallons per year. Dennis Ysar, president of Brac Systems, predicts that due to population growth and a decrease in the availability of clean water, greywater reuse systems will be mandated throughout America by 2020.

In addition to companies marketing retrofit systems for the recycling of graywater, architects and builders are working on building whole-house grey water systems. Houses that have been built with whole-hosue grey water systems, according to Kneiszel, have reduced their water usage by 25-40 percent over several years of monitoring. In such houses, greywater goes through a sand filter before being piped outside for use in landscape watering. Unfortunately, the whole-house greywater system requires a lot of maintenance. It is also very pricey.

According to some estimates the average United States monthly water bill is $50 which means that it will take over three and a half years to recoup a Brac system, and that's if you install it yourself! The return on investment for other systems, such as the whole house gray water system mentioned above, can be upwards of ten years.

While the reuse of greywater sounds like a great way to cut down on water use and water bills, Kneiszel writes that, "health officials have been reluctant to approve retrofitting greywater recycling systems, because of the danger of bacteria-laden greywater somehow getting into the drinking water." To prevent this, health officials have required that special purple-colored pipes be installed to handle greywater. They also require the addition of blue dyes to greywater to differentiate it from clean water.

It appears that at the time being, greywater reuse requires a lot of maintenance and money to be truly beneficial. While most people would want to cut down on water bills by decreasing their water use, they are reluctant to do so if it requires too much work or too much money. Even so, anyone can save a few gallons of water by scooping bathwater into their toilet tank or by taking five minute showers instead of ten minute showers (10 minute showers can use up to 42 gallons of water). The Farmer's Alamanc has the following suggestions for conserving water:

• Wash only full loads in your dishwasher or washing machine
• Shut the water off when brushing your teeth, shaving, or rising dishes (using a modern dishwashing machine can actually use quite a bit less water than washing by hand but may use more electricity)
• Collect rainwater in buckets for reuse in gardens
• Take showers, not baths. If you take a bath, reuse the bathwater
• Fix all leaks
• Defrost food overnight in the refrigerator or in your microwave
• Use leftover water in bottles to water plants or pets