1. Technology in Architecture
Lecture 13
Overview
Water Resources
Water Supply Systems
Planning Issues

2. Terminology Potable Water: water fit for human consumption
Gray Water: non-potable, used water containing no harmful wastes
Black Water: non-potable, used water that contains harmful or human waste

3. Drains and Sewers Storm: contains rainwater and surface runoff
Sanitary: contains human waste
Combined: contains both

4. Acid Rain
Rain combined with chemicals (SO2, COx, NOx,…) in the air to form a weak acid
Water + Sulfur Dioxide = Sulfuric Acid
H2O SO2  H2SO4 + SOx
Source: automobile emissions, coal fired electric generation, air pollution

5. Hardness Caused by calcium and magnesium salts
Can be removed by “water softening” systems

6. Ph Scale Alkalinity: bicarbonates, carbonates, hydroxides (Ph>7)
Acidity: hydrogen ions (Ph<7)

7. Water Table Naturally occurring depth to top of water in an aquifer
S: p.912, F.21.2

8. Water Resources

9. Sources of Fresh Water Precipitation collection
Surface water diversion
Groundwater aquifers
Desalinization

10. Hydrologic Cycle Water exists in three phases—vapor, liquid, solid
Water storage takes several forms– clouds, groundwater, snow/ice, lakes/river/oceans
S: p. 869, F.20.4a

11. Hydrologic Cycle
Natural intercepts of water affect its purity and utility
S: p. 869, F.20.4b

12. “We All Live Downstream”
Human intercepts degrade quality
S: p. 912 F.21.2

13. Toxins Around Us Cadmium: batteries Chromium: antifreeze
Arsenic: pressure treated lumber
Cadmium: batteries
Chromium: antifreeze
Fluoride: rat poison, water treatment
Lead: paints, piping, fuel
Silver: photo-processing

14. Other Contaminants Copper (corroding pipe)  taste
Chlorides (road salts)  taste
Copper (corroding pipe)  taste
Iron (corroding pipe)  stains/taste
Manganese (natural)  taste/laxative/color
Nitrates (fertilizer)  health
Pesticides  health
Sodium (road salt)  taste

15. Water Supply Systems

16. Groundwater Aquifer
Artesian wells created from pressure due to elevation head
2.3’ of head = 1 psi

17. Upfeed System
Supplied through pressurized street main or artesian well source
S: p F.21.52

18. Cisterns
Captured rainwater held in tanks to increase water availability and pressure
May also be refilled manually
San Francisco Plantation, Louisiana

19. Enhancing Water Pressure
When natural pressure is insufficient then a pump or pressurized source must be used
S: p. 929, F.21.13

20. Water Towers Used before electric pumping technology improved
Hand pumps or manual labor
Baltimore, MD
Chicago, IL
Scituate, MA

21. Water Towers Adapted for use on individual buildings
S: p. 976, F.21.53

22. Pumping Technology
As technology improved, buildings could become taller (w/steel framing and elevators)
Downfeed system
S: p. 977, F21.54a

23. Pumping Technology
Constant pressure up-feed system eliminates the house tank
S: p. 982, F21.57

24. Pumping Technology
To prevent over- pressurization, intermediate house tanks are used
S: p. 978, F.21.54b

25. Planning Issues

26. Planning Issues Conservation strategies Facility requirements
Waste disposal

27. Conservation Strategies
Reduce use  flow control fixtures
Match grade to use  culinary vs. irrigation
Collection/Storage  cisterns, retention basins, roof ponds, porous pavement
Graskrete

28. Conservation Strategies
Gray Water Systems: captures drainage from non-black water waste fixtures and reuses it for lesser quality needs …irrigation, car washing…
Recently legalized in Utah. Opposition was due to contamination concerns and inappro-priate soil composition

29. Conservation Goals Reduce overall consumption Avoid surface runoff
Allow percolation into soil to recharge groundwater table

30. Facility Requirements
Check local codes for programming & ADA requirements
S: p.874,
T.20.3

31. Waste Disposal Verify local sewer system availability/capacity
Municipal sewer
Septic system on site
Soil percolation
Drain field/septic tank location
Drain field proximity to other water sources

32. Water Reclamation
Municipal programs that use treated wastewater for uses that do not require potable water
Los Angeles County Water Reclamation Project