Research Proposal

A Grey Technology for a Blue Future

Summary:

Humans are a species that rely heavily on fresh, potable water in order to carry out their daily lives.  Being such an important resource, it’s imperative to find ways to reduce water consumption on a day-to-day basis.  One of the many ways this can be achieved is through grey water treatment.  This report will look at the characteristics of grey water, and the treatment techniques used, in order to determine the amount of water and money that can potentially be salvaged by retrofitting buildings to accommodate grey water treatment systems.

Purpose:

Every time potable water is used by means of an appliance, such as a sink or shower that does not carry human waste, grey water is created.  As opposed to running into the sewer or a septic tank, the water can be treated, and subsequently used in toilets and irrigation. This is an “innovative way to reduce water consumption, [and] to be easier on [the] municipal infrastructure” (Owen, 2010).  The research being conducted is intended to acquire knowledge on grey water treatment systems to apply them to existing structures in the interest of sustaining water and saving money.  The researched techniques can be applied to buildings and residencies in cities to alleviate water use and ensure fresh water for years to come.  The university can even benefit from the studies, as they can be implemented on existing buildings around campus, reserving potable water and potentially saving money. 

Goals and Objectives:

The objective of this project is not only to research grey water treatment systems for educational purposes alone, but also to show that they should be a part of a sustainable future.  It is expected that the result of these studies prove that the system is effective at saving water, money, and in time, the environment.

Methodology and Analytical Approach:

Intensive research will be conducted in order to obtain information on grey water treatment, recirculation, and designs.  Meanwhile, routine measurements on the amounts of water flow from the sinks, baths, showers, dishwasher, and clothes washer in a specific single family residential building will be conducted.  Upon completion, the original plumbing drawing for the unit will be modified to incorporate a grey water treatment system in the design.  Using the measured water flow quantities, it will then be possible to determine how much grey water can be recycled, as opposed to using potable water for items such as toilets and irrigation.  Furthermore, the amount of water can be translated into terms of currency to figure out the economical savings and to establish a “pay-back time” for this particular case.

Previous Studies/Related Information

There are various books and articles on the characteristics of grey water, as well as the treatment it undergoes in order to be usable once again; some regions have included grey water treatment into their local building bylaws.  In addition, the 2012 edition of the British Columbia Building Code incorporates provisions for grey water treatment.  However, there is a lack of studies containing information referring to the amount of water and money that can be saved by implementing these systems into existing structures, especially specific to nearby areas. 

Dissemination of Work

The progress of this applied research project will be shared by means of a blog, which will be linked to related forums and available for others with similar issues.  Various websites and magazines will also be contacted (HPAC, Plumbing and HVAC, PMMAG, etc.) regarding publishing the report in an article or issue.

Contribution of the Project to my Academic Goals and Objectives

As the end of the penultimate year of this program approaches, I am attempting to focus in on what I want achieve with my schooling, and where it will take me in terms of a career.  Green initiatives have always been an interest of mine, as the way the planet is treated now will greatly affect future living conditions.  Conceiving the idea for this research project was a matter of taking that interest and applying it to a field that fascinates me; mechanical engineering was the predominate choice.  By researching the two subjects together, I was able to uncover information on grey water treatment systems, which immediately piqued my interest because there had to be a better way to handle the large amounts of water from sinks, showers, and other water using appliances.  To implement the acquired research, I will be monitoring the water flow from the sinks, showers, dishwasher, and clothes washer from my parents’ house in Penticton, B.C.  While this is being done, I will also be drafting the plumbing system in AutoCAD.  The plan will then be modified to incorporate a grey water treatment system, using the researched methodologies.  Once the water flow results are finalized, I will be able to analyze how much water can be recycled, predict the related effects on the water system as a whole, and calculate a “pay-back time” for the system.  Upon completion of the Architectural Engineering and Technology program, I intend to pursue a career in the mechanical engineering field.  By composing research on this topic, I will be substantially increasing my knowledge in the subject.  Furthermore, I will have a fully developed research article to present to potential employers in the future.

Budget:

This research topic has the potential to produce extraordinary results, while maintaining a low budget that consists of:

·         Travelling to, and attending, the BUILDEX convention in Vancouver, B.C. - $105.00

·         Gas money for travelling to and from the research site - $100.00

Attending this convention would give me the opportunity to get in contact with the professionals that specialize in this region of mechanical engineering.  Also, I will be required to make periodic trips from Kamloops to Penticton in order to conduct a portion of the testing.