Watershed: The World House Guide to Designing Water's Future by iwbTO

Watershed: The World House Guide to Designing Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future

Watershed: The World House Guide to Designing Water’s Future Institute Director Luigi Ferrara Institute Faculty Diane Croteau Editors Daniel Nelson and Perin Ruttonsha Designers Justin Aitcheson, Jane Weber and Gertrude Wong Researchers and Contributors Chalo Barrueta, Kar Yan Cheung, Silvio Ciarlandini, Reema Kanwar, Thomas Lommee, Richard MacIntosh, Samantha Mcfarlane, Gary Moloney, Giorgiana Penon, Perin Ruttonsha and Jane Webber Internal Reviewers Gavin Baxter and Richard MacIntosh Printed in Canada Copyright © 2007 George Brown College No part of this work may be produced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher–except for a brief quotation (not exeed 200 words) in a review or professional work. For information on other Institute without Boundaries or School of Design publications or to place an order please contact: George Brown College 200 King Street East Room 313A Toronto, ON M5T 2T9 Tel: 416.415.5000 x2137 Visit our website for more information about the Institute without Boundaries: www.worldhouse.ca www.institutewithoutboundaries.com E-mail: info@worldhouse.ca

This publication made possible through a generous grant from the Harbinger Foundation Watershed: The World House Guide to Designing Water’s Future is printed on Neenah Paper. This paper is certified in accordance with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). It is made with process-chlorine-free 80% post–consumer waste fiber

WATERSHED: THE WORLD HOUSE GUIDE TO DESIGNING WATER’S FUTURE

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WHY TALK ABOUT WATER? WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE, PART 1 WATER, DESIGN AND CIVILIZATION LOCAL AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES DESIGNING WATER’S FUTURE WATER DESIGN AND CULTURE, PART 2 WHERE WE GO FROM HERE APPENDICES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

FORWARD

WHY TALK ABOUT WATER?

Close your eyes and imagine the sound of a heavy rain on your roof. What is it about this sound that is so soothing? Now imagine a sharp crack of thunder, loud enough to wake you from deep slumber. Did your heart skip a beat?

Water brings us joy as well as fear. Though flowers may flourish after a spring rain, add a strong current and a coastal city might be destroyed. Water in our bodies maintains life but water in our walls causes mould and rot. We are constantly negotiating our relationship with the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most precious resource; we admire its beauty, borrow its power, and protect ourselves from its wrath.

The Institute without Boundaries is exploring water as one of twelve fundamental systems of housing design, along with energy, air, construction, waste, food, communication, finance, mobility, space, identity, and society.

The Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim is to integrate these components into schemes that promote the long-term health of all people and species and that engage respectfully with physical, cultural and political environments. The Institute hopes to generate design results that are holistic and can adapt to different geographic contexts. Since water is essential to life, it is also a critical factor in the design of shelter, communities, cities and states. Aside from mediating its affect on our built forms with pitched roofs, vapor barriers and graded terrain, we must maintain a constant supply to our homes to use for drinking, cooking, bathing and sanitation. As engineers, we have managed to extract and transport water long-distances from lakes, rivers, aquifers and glaciers to our homes. As scientists, we know to remove dangerous organisms and toxins prior to drinking. As business people, we have assigned value to its use and set up networks for its delivery. As architects, we fashion bathing spaces as sanctuaries for private retreat. But as humanitarians, the uneven distribution of freshwater across communities still has us puzzled.

1/4 OF THE EARTH NOT COVERED BY WATER

3/4 OF THE EARTH COVERED BY WATER 2.5% IS CLEAN FRESH WATER

Three-quarters of the earth’s surface is covered by water, but only 2.5% of that is available as freshwater that will support life. How can we ensure access to safe drinking water for all people now and in the future? To meet the first part of this challenge - access - we must be conscious about how we use water every time we take a morning shower or water our vegetable garden. The only way that we will find enough water to satisfy the world’s needs is if we are creative in its harvesting, conservative in its use and compassionate in our sharing. To meet the second part of the challenge - safety - we need to stay informed and drink with caution. And, even when water does not cause noticeable illness, do we know the long-term effects of its additives, such as chlorine and fluoride, on our health? The Institute without Boundaries has compiled this book as a short study of humanity’s relationship with water, outlining current and past struggles and successes in administering its use along with tips and solutions on how to manage water resources in our homes and communities. This publication highlights the beginnings of our explorations, and is a starting point for the research into water and community design that we will undertake in years to come.

PHOTO ESSAY

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE PART 1

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every man, woman, and child is a small riverâ&#x20AC;Ś 70 percent of our bodies is water. A 1 percent deficiency of water in our body makes us thirsty, 5 percent causes a slight fever, and at 10 percent we become immobile. A 12 percent loss of water and we die.â&#x20AC;? ~Peter Swanson

TAP

PHOTO BY REEMA KANWAR

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

BUILDING A PIER

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

STEAMER AND KETTLE

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

RUSTY NAIL

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

BATHROOM DRAIN

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The place of water in my own life is enormous: when everything I do to relax or calm myself fails, I fill the bathtub with hot water and add a little blue powder to make an oval blue lake.â&#x20AC;? ~David Donnell

WHITEFISH LAKE, ALGONQUIN PARK

PHOTO BY DAN NELSON

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

SECTION 1

WATER, DESIGN AND CIVILIZATION

The story of water is older than our own existence.

Water is present in every living organism, from the microscopic bacterium to the immense mass of a blue whale swimming in the most bio-rich places on earth. Where there is water there is life and life flourishes wherever water is present. It is no surprise, then, that life first emerged in the oceans in the form of single cell organisms, similar to plant cells, billions of years ago. Millennia later, homo sapiens appeared and began, with wonder and strife, to experiment with the design of this essential resource. Early primitive hunters were constantly in pursuit of water, settling where it was found and moving when it disappeared. Over time, nomadic cultures discovered how to take advantage of the changing seasons and rain patterns. What they would not have realized is that they were making some of the most important design decisions in history and that this pattern of discovery, related to water, would, time and time again, help shape the future of human civilization.

Our ancestorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; capacity to design better methods of retrieving water brought prosperity â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from the first carrying containers to the first hand pump that made subterranean water accessible. Storage and transportation of water was particularly important to early agrarian societies in the Fertile Crescent of Mesopotamia arising first around 5000 BCE.1 Irrigation technology greatly increased food yields, spurring population growth and the development of complex social networks. Similarly, the first major civilizations emerged around 3500 BCE near large river basins like the Tigris in Mesopotamia, the Nile in Egypt, the Yangtze in China and the Indus in India and Pakistan.2 In India, urban centers near the Indus River had some of the first urban sanitation systems, dating as far back as 3000 BCE, where water was used for flushing.3 Access to water secured stability and health for these communities. Riverbanks provided fertile earth for agriculture and a protective barrier from pending invasion. But most importantly, these flowing rivers acted as arteries that brought mineral nourishment to the city and carried away waste.

Aqueducts and pipes, the man-made extensions of rivers, brought the capacity to harness water power to service a civilization. Romans, for instance, built aqueducts that transported water long distances to fill lively public baths and efficient latrines while lead pipes brought water to homes of the wealthy.

Norbert Schoenauer, 6,000 Years of Housing (New York: W.W. Norton, 2000).

Wikipedia, Indus River Valley Civilization, http:// en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Indus_Valley_Civilization (on Indus River Valley Civilization; accessed June 11, 2007).

When Roman civilization collapsed, these design concepts for basic sanitation organized around aqueducts and sewer systems were soon lost in Europe. During the Middle Ages, raw sewage was frequently tossed out windows onto streets, and diseases and plagues, such as the Black Death in the 1300s, ravaged the continent. This scenario remained largely unchanged until the Renaissance. In the East however, the introduction of boiled water and tea during the Tang dynasty is believed to have led to improved health and life expectancy.4

Patricia S. Daniels, and Steve Hyslop, National Geographic Almanac of World History (Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2006).

During the Industrial Revolution, water became the engine of mass production through the development of kinetic power, using dams and later steam power.5 As a result, factories were largely situated near rivers, such as the Thames in London, where water could be dammed or pumped. However, water and sewage systems for the new working classes in these industrializing cities were still spartan with shared toilets and open sewers.6 Cities were ill prepared to accommodate the large influx of workers from rural areas and it was not until much later that municipal water filtering and distribution plants started emerging, the first one being in Paisley, Scotland in 1804.7

Robert Thurston, A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine, http://www.history.rochester. edu/steam/thurston/1878/Chapter1.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

Norbert Schoenauer, 6,000 Years of Housing (New York: W.W. Norton, 2000).

Kathy Jesperson, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Drinking Water History: Search for Clean Drinking Water Continues,â&#x20AC;? National Drinking Water Clearing House, National Environmental Services Center, West Virginia University, http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/ ndwc_DWH_1.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

In the 1870s, the magnifying ability of the microscope was improved by a formula calculated by Ernst Abbe, a breakthrough that would transform the world.8 Scientists could analyze organisms in the water and connect these creatures with the prevalence and spread of disease. Prior to this, citizens judged quality purely on appearance, with no measurable way of connecting clean water to good health.9 After the cholera epidemic of 1874, public health and hygiene statutes mandated new water and sanitation facilities.10 As such, systems of centralized water treatment and delivery, as well as higher water quality standards, became commonplace in municipalities. These improvements continued with increasing rigor and commitment until today, where almost all households in the industrialized world have access to safe, drinkable water and sanitation services.

Mary Bellis, Inventors: History of Microscopes, About.com, http://inventors.about.com/od/ mstartinventions/a/microscopes.htm (accessed June 11, 2007).

UCLA Department of Epidemiology School of Public Health, Broad Street Pump Outbreak, http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/ broadstreetpump.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

In the 2002 Millennium Development Goals, the UN declared access to clean water as a human right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a notion first derived in the Age of Enlightenment during the 1700s and influenced by the values and ideals of the Renaissance. Philosophers debated the right to clean water as an innate right of humanity, meaning that water should be available to every person regardless of income or class.11 Today, however, approximately one billion people in the world still do not have access to safe water. These philosophers were correct. Water, the foundation of life, is a basic human right. It is up to us to take up this new challenge, presented in the Millennium Development Goals, and design local and global solutions to ensure universal access to clean water.

History of Water Filters.com, “The History of Water Filters: The Advent of Municipal Water Treatment,” HistoryofWaterFilters.com, http://www.historyofwaterfilters.com/municipal -water.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

SECTION 2

WATER AND THE GLOBAL VILLAGE

EXISTING RESOURCES, PRESENT CHALLENGES

In over four billion years, since the oceans were first created, the amount of water on Earth has remained the same, as it cycles from ocean to cloud and from liquid to vapour.1

Environment Canada, “Freshwater Website: The Water Cycle,” Environment Canada, http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/info/pubs/NSKit/ e_chap2.htm (accessed June 11, 2007).

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization – 2003 International Year of Fresh Water, “Facts and Figures (By Theme): Did You Know?” UNESCO, http://www.wateryear2003.org/en/ev.php -URL_ID=1462&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL _SECTION=201.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

The oceans make up approximately 97.5% of the world’s water stocks, with freshwater constituting a mere 2.5%, and accessible freshwater being even less due to unreachable stores, such as glaciers.2 Our supply is further threatened by our escalating consumption and contaminated by improper water use and treatment. As we paradoxically reduce available freshwater through destruction, the world’s population has tripled in the last 100 years and water use multiplied six fold.3 Some of the major forces that affect water resources today are: ~ Population growth, particularly in water-scarce regions like Sub-Saharan Africa ~ A major flux in demographics, especially people moving from rural to urban centres ~ A higher demand for food security worldwide ~ Increased competition between users and usage ~ Pollution by agriculture, industry and municipalities4

World Water Council, “Chapter 2: The Use of Water Today,” In World Water Vision (London, UK: WWC, 2000), 3.

Morris, B. L., A.R.L. Lawrence, P.J.C. Chilton, B. Adams, R.C. Calow, and B. Klinck, “Water: A Shared Responsibility; Chapter 4 - The State of the Resource,” in Groundwater and its Susceptibility to Degradation: A Global Assessment of the

Problem and Options for Management; Early Warning and Assessment Report Series RS03-3 (Nairobi, Kenya: United Nations Environment Programme / DEWA, 2003). Quoted in United Nations Water. “The State of the Resource.” Chap. 4 in Water: A Shared Responsibility. United Nations World Water Development Report 2. Mexico City: UNW, 2006, 128.

Consumption Of the water that is withdrawn from the earth, most of it being freshwater, 70% is used for agricultural irrigation, 20% for industry and 10% for municipal purposes.5 The amount of water used for personal consumption, such as drinking, cooking and bathing, is relatively low. However, the majority of the safe, drinkable water piped to households in developed nations is used to flush toilets, wash clothes and cars, and water lawns and not for personal consumption. In agriculture, on average, we require 3,000 litres of water per person to produce our daily intake of food.6 The demand for food production is projected to increase by 67% in developing countries by the year 2030 so careful consideration of water use is a requirement for all nations.7 Though irrigation plays a prominent role in industrial agriculture techniques, it only accounts for approximately 10% of the water used by crops, with rainfall providing the other 90%.8 In areas where rain-fed agriculture is practiced, irrigation can increase production and extend the growing season when rainfall is inadequate or uncertain. As such, industrial agricultural techniques capitalize heavily on increasing the amount of water pumped to fields. Pumps that tap groundwater reserves have contributed greatly to food production worldwide, providing farmers with a dependable source of water. However, unless irrigation is carefully

managed, the damage to the environment and future water reserves is significant. Mismanagement can lead to a buildup of contaminants by fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and sediments in underground water reserves, lakes, streams and the soil itself. Furthermore, overuse of groundwater for irrigation, due in part to lack of regulation, is draining these precious stores, resulting in rapidly diminishing water tables. This threatens the future of aquifers and other water sources, such as lakes, as well as their ecosystems, plant and animal life. Protection of ecosystems and responsible agricultural management is increasing, though awareness of biodiversity losses are only now being properly measured. In the instances of freshwater fish, it is suggested that 20-35% of species are vulnerable or endangered, mostly due to altered habitats.9 On the other hand, community-managed small-scale irrigation methods have proven effective in alleviating rural poverty.8 With irrigation, farmers achieve improved crop yields for longer growing seasons, which benefits the economic livelihood and health of their communities. As such, the capacity of water in agriculture to impact food security, as well as wealth creation and economic stability, is notable. Local and distant markets, transportation economies and farm industry economies all benefit from successful harvests, generating employment in rural areas, which may in turn lessen the drift of individuals from rural regions to urban centres.

5 World Water Council, “The Use of Water Today,” 5. 6

United Nations Water, “Executive Summary,” in Water: A Shared Responsibility; United Nations World Water Development Report 2 (Mexico City: UNW, 2006), 21.

Ibid.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, “Ensuring Access to Food for All,” chap. 4 in Agriculture, Food and Water, FAO, 2003, http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/Y4683E/ y4683e08.htm#P34_8488 (accessed June 11, 2007).

9 World Water Council. “The Use of Water Today,” 15.

Distribution Groundwater, which is collected below the earth’s surface, represents 96% of unfrozen freshwater.10 It is vital to humans and ecosystems, as it feeds springs and streams, supports wetlands, and is one of the most pure sources of water available. These natural aquifers provide approximately 25-40% of the world’s drinking water11 and half of the world’s cities rely on or make significant use of it. Groundwater is renewable and underground aquifers can be recharged but this is reliant on precipitation and seepage. Often, we prevent rainfall from following nature’s hydrological cycle, by covering land with impermeable concrete and mismanaging storm water runoff. Overall, freshwater is unevenly distributed. A large percentage of freshwater is located where human demand for it is relatively small, such as in the Canadian North, Alaska and the Amazon basin.12 In other parts of the world, such as Asia, monsoon periods bring large amounts of water, but only for short periods of time throughout the year. There are benefits, however; many ecosystems rely on floods for irrigating crops.13 In these areas, due to the sheer magnitude of rainfall and runoff, groundwater resources may become polluted, rendering the water unsafe for human use.

On the other end of the spectrum, droughts and desertification are prominent issues around the world hitting parts of North America, Africa, Australia and central Asia hardest. Between 1991 and 2000, droughts have been responsible for approximately 11% of total water-related disasters.14 Measures of water scarcity generally focus only on the quantity of available water, whereas water stress encompasses both the quantity and quality of water available for use.15 Indicators of water stress try to measure water in domestic, industrial, agricultural and natural ecosystems in order to assess an area’s water status. If conditions continue in the same way as they are now, by 2025, 4 billion people – half the world’s population – will live in countries with high water stress.16

14 10

Shiklomanov and Rodda, 2003 Quoted in United Nations Water, “The State of the Resource,” chap. 4 in Water: A Shared Responsibility; United Nations World Water Development Report 2 (Mexico City: UNW, 2006), 128

Morris, Water: A Shared responsibility, 128.

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Water Assessment Programme, “Managing Risks,” In UNESCO-WWAP Water Portal Facts and Figures, http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/facts _figures/managing_risks.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007).

12 World Water Council, “The Use of Water Today,” 7.

15 World Water Council, “Water Futures,” chap. 3 in World Water Vision, World Water Council (London, UK: WWC, 2000), 26.

13 World Water Council, “The Use of Water Today,” 17.

Ibid., 25.

Sanitation Water and sanitation are inextricably linked when it comes to health and quality of life. Every day 6,000 people die from diarrheal diseases17 which are easily preventable with simple hygiene measures like hand washing before food preparation and after toilet use. Without proper sanitation and hygiene, all the freshwater in the world will not be enough to ensure healthy and sustainable livelihoods. The number of people who lack appropriate water access is around one billion worldwide and though this number is staggering, those who lack reasonable sanitation number 2.4 billion.18 Access to water and basic sanitation are now considered human rights.19 In September 2000, the UN Millennium Development Goals aimed to halve the proportion of people unable to attain sustainable access to safe drinking water by 2015. In concert with this goal, at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, a matching target was set to halve the proportion of people lacking adequate sanitation by 2015. The majority of the world’s population that lacks access to water (approximately 725 million) and basic sanitation (1,920 million) live in Asia although Africa has a higher proportion of its population lacking both.20 Currently, in North America, nearly every household has access to piped water and sewers, whereas, in. Africa, only 43% have access to water and only 18% have access to sewer services.21

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Water Assessment Programme, “Meeting Basic Needs,” in UNESCO-WWAP Water Portal Facts and Figures, http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/facts_figures/ basic_needs.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007).

Ibid.

World Water Council, World Water Vision, World Water Council (London, UK: WWC, 2000), ____.

Advocacy initiatives involving governments, non-governmental organizations and local users throughout the 1980s to 1990s have significantly improved the availability of affordable and safe drinking water but sanitation still remains one of the greatest challenges today. This issue is only compounded by the increasing migration of people from rural to urban cities and the stress it will place on existing water delivery and sanitation systems. Population growth is fast outpacing the ability of nations to provide basic sanitation services, though water access is at least on par.22 The lack of adequate water and sanitation weighs heaviest on women.23 In almost all cultures, women are the primary care givers, responsible for managing health and hygiene in the home. They are responsible for finding water, retrieving it, managing its use and educating the family about hygiene practices. Despite this, their voices and needs often go unheard and unmet; water access locations and sanitation facilities are largely unavailable or culturally inappropriate. Women’s needs must be considered in the planning and design of water and sanitation services and it is vital to include and target women for technical and managerial roles in education, training and capacity building initiatives.24

United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Water Assessment Programme, “Water and Cities: Water and Human Settlements,” in UNESCO-WWAP Water Portal Facts and Figures, http://www.unesco.org/ water/wwap/facts_figures/basic_needs.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007). United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, “Water and Cities: Water and Human Settlements,” http://www.unesco .org/water/wwap/facts_figures/basic _needs.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007).

22 World Water Council, “The Use of Water Today,” 9. 23

United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), 2004 in United Nations Water, “Water and Human Settlements in an Urbanizing World,” chap. 3 in Water: A Shared Responsibility, United Nations World Water Development Report 2 (Mexico City: UNW, 2006), 92.

World Water Council, Synthesis of the 4th World Water Forum, World Water Council. (Mexico City: WWC, 2006), 27.

Value A key issue in water access is that many national governments subsidize water services for agricultural irrigation, households and industry. Though subsidies for water can promote health and job creation, the approach is controversial. Heavily subsidized waterworks can actually mask the need for systems design innovation and water-saving technologies. The true value of water is seldom recognized simply because its price is far below the cost of providing and maintaining water services. When the cost of water is negligible or free, users give it little to no value and rarely take steps to conserve or recycle:25 “Water services need to be priced at full cost for all users, which means all costs related to operation and maintenance and investment costs for at least domestic and industrial users”.26 Canada, for example, charges its citizens some of the lowest fees for water supply out of 29 OCED countries and, consequently, has the second highest usage rate.27 This is believed to have led to an overuse of water, as well as decreased interest in research and innovation in water management.28 As such, water awareness, infrastructure and management have remained virtually unchanged though change is required if we want to secure adequate supplies for the future.

25 World Water Council, “The Use of Water Today,” 19. 26

World Water Council, “Water Futures,” 41.

Boyd, David Richard, Canada vs. The OECD: An Environmental Comparison (Victoria, B.C: University of Victoria, 2001), http://www.environmentalindicators.com/htdocs/ indicators/6wate.htm/ (accessed April 1, 2007), Also available as a pdf file for download, 2.

Ibid.

CASE STUDIES

The Urban House Slums & Favelas The Rural Community City Planning

WATER AND THE GLOBAL VILLAGE

CASE 1

The Urban House Currently, half of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population lives in urban areas and it is expected that this will rise to 60% by 2030.1 In high-income nations, nearly all urban households have piped drinking water and a wastewater sewer connection, which allows for sinks, toilets and showers. This service requires only a small contribution from each householdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s income and, as a result, it has become widely adopted by most nations that have access to good quality water. In North America, 100% of households in major cities have piped water and 96% are connected to sewers.2 As a result, the health of urban populations has increased significantly within the 20th century.

But is this model sustainable? The amount of freshwater input required is extreme, especially for large cities. Though the majority of water, in almost all nations, is directed towards agriculture, freshwater and groundwater reservoirs are having difficulty keeping up with the demands of industrial and municipal expansion. Many cities are forced to draw from increasingly distant water sources, such as underground aquifers. Also, as nations industrialize, vital waterways, lakes and aquifers can rapidly devolve into a virtually unusable state if the water is not carefully managed or treated before being returned to the environment. Although the cost of treating wastewater leaving urban homes is high, the inherent risks of returning inadequately treated sewage to our natural ecosystems are greater. According to a report by UN Water,3 it will not be possible for many nations to use and maintain this conventional model for water utilities because of the high cost. We also need to reconsider how we manage water within the urban home. In the typical home, the bathroom is the biggest culprit for wasteful consumption of drinkable water. The toilet alone uses up to 18 litres of water per flush. A five–minute shower uses 38 litres, and a bath consumes between 57 to 95 litres.4 According to UNESCO, all we need to meet our basic needs is 20 to 50 litres of water per person, per day.5

Ibid.

United Nations Water, Water: A Shared Responsibility; United Nations World Water Development Report 2 (Mexico City: UNW, 2006), 92.

Natural Resources Canada, Better water use means bigger savings, Natural Resources Canada, http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/residential/ personal/new-homes/water-conservation .cfm?attr=4 (accessed June 11, 2007).

CASE 1

THE URBAN HOUSE

GREEN ROW HOUSE

PHOTO ´BY PETER SPIRO ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PETERSPIRO

In 2001, the average Toronto resident consumed 355 litres of water per day for domestic uses.6 Today, the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) has a population of over 5 million. Extrapolating from this data, homes in the GTA consume approximately 1.7 billion litres of water per day and, at this current rate of consumption, will have used the equivalent of all the water in the Great Lakes (about 26 trillion litres) in less than 50 years. This does not, however, account for industrial and agricultural water use, which is many times greater than domestic consumption. Reducing personal water use by changing the type and amount of water needed for our daily routines is one of the most immediate ways to impact water supply in urban areas. The next section, Designing Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future features ideas, products and technologies that can help achieve water conservation. While these strategies help to reduce water usage, there is still a need for research and innovation in the design of water and sanitation services. Beijing, for example is currently threatened with water scarcity as its economy and population grows and there are plans to divert large amounts of water from the South of the country to compensate for the increased demand in the North.7 This is typical behaviour for a city; few cities invest in decreasing the water demand of their population (demand-oriented approach). Proper sustainable water practices in the home, community and city will reduce the need to import large quantities of water to service populations and will help curb deterioration of local watersheds.

Environment Canada, Water works! Environment Canada, http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/info/ pubs/FS/e_FSA4.htm (accessed June 11, 2007).

United Nations Water, Water: A Shared Responsibility, 106.

CASE 2

Slums & Favelas Inhabitants of slum and favela settlements struggle with some of the most difficult and unique water and sanitation issues. According to UNHABITAT,1 in 2001 alone, over 900 million urban dwellers lived in slums, representing approximately one third of all urban dwellers worldwide. These settlements lack effective infrastructure and funding to implement formal services for water, sewers and electricity.

Water in a typical slum or favela household is contaminated, sometimes putrid, and often difficult to access. Rarely do individual homes have piped water so inhabitants must rely on the limited supplies at hand such as ad-hoc boreholes or wells. Those who have the financial means often travel miles to buy their water from vendors at exorbitant prices. In Luanda, the capital of Angola, a family may be forced to spend 15% of their income on water that private companies pump, from rivers that may be contaminated by sewers.2 Even in major cities that offer piped water to households or communities (such as in Mexico, Thailand or Venezuela) the quality is so poor that individuals are forced to turn to local vendors instead.3 Water vendors import water into neighbourhoods using water trucks. The price is always significantly more than piped services. In Manila, for example, households that buy from vendors pay 4200% more for water than those who have piped water.4 However, these vendors are often the only reliable water source for slum or favela dwellers. City dwellers with the lowest income, as a result, end up paying the most for potable water. Those who cannot afford this make do by digging shallow wells. It is only a matter of time before these wells become contaminated and undrinkable with polluted run-off from streets and neighbouring houses.

UN-HABITAT. The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2003. (Nairobi, Kenya: UNHSP, 2003), xxv. Hodges, Angola in Davis, Mike. Planet of slums. (London: Verso, 2006), 145.

United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 92.

Figures from UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1997 in Davis, Mike. Planet of slums. (London: Verso, 2006), 145.

CASE 2

SLUMS & FAVELAS

SEA GYPSIES

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER HAFEMANN ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/MLENNY

Kyotera Town, a busy district in Uganda, with a population of about 10,000, has no public water supply.5 Many households can not even afford to collect and store rainwater. In settlements that do have piped water services, the quality is not guaranteed to be drinkable. In fact, leaky supply pipes and contaminated sources render these services unfit and inadequate. Hygiene in informal settlements is no better. Hundreds and even thousands of people may share a public latrine pit situated near the homes. Overflow and toxic run-off fill the streets and seep into houses, contaminating the little cooking and bathing water available. In Bukoba, a regional district of Tanzania city that does not have sewers, the 80,000 plus inhabitants rely on pit latrines or septic tanks.6 The effluent flows directly into storm water drains, eventually ending up in Lake Victoria, the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s main water source. There is one run-down vehicle that is used to collect solid wastes; however, collection is irregular, at best, and is limited to the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s central business area.

United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 105.

“There is no water to wash our hands when we use the nearby bushes, plastic bags or the only public toilet available some distance from our homes. There is always fighting on who will be next, although there is a queue. Everyone watches. There are no doors for privacy. How long are we going to live this way? It is affecting our pride and dignity. … Sometimes we have to go to the back of our house to defecate in a plastic bag and throw it in nearby bushes or in the gully – this is called ‘kitting’. The problem gets worse during menstruation both for us and our daughters – they too can’t attend school as there is nowhere at school for them to clean themselves, and we the mothers don’t have enough water to wash our bodies and to feel clean.”7 ~A personal account of the daily struggle of a family living in a Carribean Slum

One of the biggest restraints for administering piped water and sanitation services in slums and informal settlements is the lack of formal boundaries between families, houses and communities. Often, multiple families inhabit one small shack or area, so responsibility for payment can be unclear. Without recognized land ownership, official plot boundaries, or obvious roads and pathways, it is very difficult to organize piped services. The nature of the terrain in which slums or favelas are often set up also compounds this issue. Steep slopes, water logged sites and a lack of public roads are problematic when trying to administer municipal infrastructure.

CASE 2

SLUMS & FAVELAS

These dire scenarios can be improved by the actions and investments of groups other than water and sanitation service providers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Many international agencies and development banks see housing as somehow distinct from improving provision of water and sanitationâ&#x20AC;?.8 By developing affordable homes, families will gain a sense of ownership, responsibility and incentive to diligently manage and upkeep their water services. For example, a group of households can mobilize change as a community by joining together to build sewers. This was demonstrated in the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP), a Pakistani nonprofit initiative that exemplifies the effectiveness of community-government partnerships.9 In this project, the cost of sanitation and water provision to households was lowered by one fifth of what municipal authorities would normally charge. The service has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of low-income households. The secret of the OPP is to capitalize on component sharing, where inhabitants share responsibility for the maintenance of different parts of the system, such as pipes, sewers and drains. Official service providers install the larger neighbourhood water mains, as well as the connecting sewer and drainage basins. The OPP-supported systems have achieved what is often said to be impossible: provision of high quality piped water and sanitation services that feed into a city-wide system using cost recovery without significant external funding. Projects like the OPP offer hope for families and individuals living in informal settlements.

United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 92.

United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 98.

United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 97-109.

CASE 3

The Rural Community In recent years, the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, has undergone profound change. Consisting of some 20% of Costa Rica while home to only 8.2% of Costa Ricans, the rural communities of this area have transitioned from a traditional agricultural economy to one driven by tourists, drawn by its exotic shorelines, volcanoes and dry rain forests.

The result of this economic transformation has been a growing population of migrant workers, particularly from Nicaragua, next door. These migrants cross over to Guanacaste to find seasonal jobs in tourism-related construction and in the seasonal harvests of sugar cane and cantaloupe. Increases in property costs have left locals and the migrant workers in desperate need of housing options. In response, local property owners have met this demand by constructing informal housing developments in their unused backyard gardens. As temporary shelters for migrants, these developments lack proper services such as water, sanitation, and electricity and carry a high risk of fire. While these municipal services are weak, the infrastructure given over to tourism developments and agriculture is significant resulting in unsustainable water usage for Guanacaste. Research shows that there are significant subterranean water reserves in the area but water shortages are forecasted by 2015 if current water usage levels continue.

CASE 3

THE RURAL COMMUNITY

COMUNIDAD LAJAS

PHOTO BY GIORGIANA PENON

In response, the Institute without Boundaries will be designing a sustainable master community development plan and a model rental unit for the people of Guanacaste, which will provide dignified shelter to its migrant population while providing valuable income to locals. Key to this plan and model will be the design and organization of proper water and sanitation services and electricity supply to these backyard homes. This is a particular challenge given that existing infrastructure is not well maintained. This plan will also feature financial, social and educative elements. The result will be increased community capacity and a flourishing and safe environment for tourists. The Instituteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s partners include the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Costa Rican Ministries of Culture and of Housing and the Florida Ice and Farm Company, the owners of Reserva Conchal, a local integrated hotel, resort and condominium development for tourists. The community development plan will be shared with the residents of Guanacaste and presented as an exhibition at a museum in San JosĂŠ, Costa Rica.

CASE 4

City Planning For generations, community waterfronts have been the ugly stepsisters of municipal planning, given over completely to commercial and industrial activity. They were gateways into a city when finished goods and raw materials were imported or exported by ship.

Changing economic patterns and the movement of such industrial activity elsewhere has left these spaces stagnant and in need of rejuvenation. Good design of municipal waterfronts promises positive economic return for all. Originally practical, as a place to gather water, to drink, or to wash, fountains evolved into a symbolic representation of a place or a people and are designed to manipulate and ply with water and light. A frequent gathering place, water features deliver water with jubilance and provide a refreshing addition to any environment. They bring peace and visual enjoyment to many through the soothing nature of water as it changes form and sound. But what if a water feature could be both practical and delightfully frivolous? A recreational space can assist in municipal water treatment. It can be both an environmental and economic asset to a city. This summer, the Institute without Boundaries will collaborate with designers from around the world to design a beautiful water sculpture for Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jarvis Slip Square that will exhibit best practices in hydraulic technology, natural water purification, and passive energy generation. Storm and wastewater from the surrounding buildings will be filtered and returned to the lake.

CASE 4

CITY PLANNING

QUEEN’S QUAY WATER FEATURE

PHOTO BY JANE WEBER

This sculpture will be an interactive focal point for the Square and a key component of the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront. It will establish a physical and visual connection between the City and Lake Ontario, educate the community on responsible water practices and provide needed recreational space for Torontonians.

“A lot of contemporary landscape is over designed. What we want on the waterfront is a place lighter, different – with the smell of boats and wooden boardwalks wet in the rain. It will be a place where people smell and understand, and where they remember.” - Adrian Geuze, Dutch landscape architect (Azure magazine, October 2006)

SECTION 3

DESIGNING WATER’S FUTURE

Designing Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future There is no universal solution to any problem. The imminent worldwide water scarcity can not be prevented with a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, there are a myriad of ideas, products and services that individuals and communities can adopt to save water, and make a change. The Institute without Boundaries, in its research, has encountered many of these best practices and is pleased to share them with you on the pages following. In this catalogue you will find tips on how to improve quality of life by improving the quality of drinking water and, in the process, conserve money and water. Use the products, innovations, and technologies on a micro scale within your own home, or on a macro scale in your neighbourhood and city. The catalogueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s items range in their complexity, maintenance requirements and pricing. In general, they were selected for their novel application of existing technologies, their ability to integrate into daily life and, in some cases, their ability to save lives.

Of course, innovation is not an end in itself. Making change often requires adopting new behaviours. Some of the featured options will be easy replacements to products that you may already own while others, may call for adjustment to your routine. As well, you do not need to accept these products at face value. Within each design is a wealth of ideas. Borrow them, critique them, and adapt them to your own scenarios. After all, the foundation of change is experimentation. Please note however, that some products are patented and adoption is suspect to national and international rules on intellectual property.

The Institute without Boundaries makes no claims regarding the veracity of the statements made by the originator or provider of the products, or services listed in the catalogue and the Institute has not independently tested or evaluated these claims. No warrantee, express or implied are given by the Institute. Use at your own risk. No payment or consideration has been made or accepted by the Institute when selecting a product, service or idea for this catalogue. If you have any questions regarding these products, services or ideas, please contact the originator or provider directly.

PRODUCT CATEGORIES

Capture Rain Barrel

Cleanse Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Conserve

a b c d

Low-Flow Flush Toilets Water Saving Faucet Attachments Water Saving Appliances Low-Water Maintenance Lawns

Affect Change

a Green Roof b Rain Garden c Permeable Pavement

DESIGNING WATER'S FUTURE

DOWNSPOUT

PHOTO BY HEIDI NELSON

Capture For centuries, homes have been built to harness rainwater to supply domestic water needs. It is only in recent decades that this trend has been neglected. Rainwater harvesting, fog utilization and dew collection are all ideal methods for gathering some of the cleanest freshwater available and can be incorporated into house design. In the United States, only 3 gallons of drinking water are required per person per day. Rainwater, fog and dew can be used to meet this requirement and can also supplement the main-line supply of water for low-grade functions, like gardening or toilet flushing without additional purification or filtration.

LEGEND Name of designer, manufacturer or organization and location Materials and / or components Installation and maintenance Recognition (Awards, ISO Certification, Popularity) Cost Number of years in business Links

Capture BIOMIMICRY Engineers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a way to collect water that is modeled after the African Namib Desert beetle’s water-catching abilities. The beetle’s shell has microscopic, hydrophilic bumps that attract the fine water droplets in fog. Water-repellent ridges border the bumps, channeling the drops toward the beetle’s head and into its mouth. The Institute applied this technique to create a material out of glass and plastic that also collects minute amounts of water. The material combines a super-hydrophobic (water-repelling) surface with super-hydrophilic (water-attracting) bumps that trap water droplets and control water flow. This technology could greatly improve efforts to harvest drinking water from the air in dry regions. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Prototype. USA

ATMOSPHERIC WATER GENERATORS This new technology creates pure drinking water from moisture in the air, operating in a manner similar to that of a dehumidifier. Air is passed through a cooled coil, causing moisture to condense as water droplets. The production efficiency of this technology depends entirely on humidity and temperature. For optimum performance, the humidity level should be at least 55% or more and the temperature 65oF or greater. If the humidity level or temperature is lower, the product will produce water at a slower rate and in lesser quantities. These products can generate anywhere from 48L to 8000L of clean drinking water per day. They can be useful in situations where pure drinking water is otherwise difficult to obtain, or where the demand outweighs supply.

Glass, plastic

Worldwide

Low

R134 A Refrigerant. Exterior: metal, Holding tank: stainless steel and recyclable plastic

August 31st, 2005 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/ 2006/beetles-0614.html Nano Letters, http://pubs.acs.org/journals/nalefd Biomimicry, www.biomimicry.net

Filter changed approximately every 12 months. No installation required Prices vary depending on size and delivery location. Prices start at $2500.00. www.airwatercanada.com www.watermakerindia.com www.air2water.net

Everest Air Water Generator, Water Island Canada Inc

FOG CATCHING In arid regions where conventional water supplies (wells, rivers, reservoirs, etc.) are limited, communities can harness fog, rainwater and dew as a sustainable resource. Special nets made of cloth or nylon are placed in optimal areas, such as mountaintops or ridges, for collection. One project in Chile has ten fog collectors in place that can provide approximately 600 litres of water per day. FogQuest. Sherry Bennett & Bob Scheumenauer. Non-profit. Canada The Hundertwasser Award – from the German Water Foundation, The Busk Medal – from the Royal Geographical Society in the U.K., University Medal & Distinguished Scientist Award, Tech Museum Award – Technology Benefiting Humanity Founded in 2000 www.fogquest.org

BIODEGRADABLE WATER BOTTLES As an alternative to the often-controversial polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic water bottle, several companies have developed a biodegradable water bottle made from a cornbased plastic, called polylactides or PLA. These bottles take approximately 45 days to biodegrade, contain no petroleum and require 20-50% less fossil fuel to manufacture than regular plastics. Many of these companies, including Belu and Biota Spring Water, donate a significant portion of their water bottle profits to water-based charities and projects. But beware - the lids, unfortunately, are not yet biodegradable. +1 Water. Montréal, Canada Corn-based plastic Low Priced competitively with regular bottled waters Belu, www.belu.org Biota, www.biotaspringwater.com +1Water, www.plusonewater.ca

+1 Water bottled water, +1 Water

Capture RAINBARRELS

GOOD-LOOKING TANKS

Rainbarrels can be utilized as a practical, efficient and economical means for capturing rainwater. A number of manufacturers produce rainbarrels made from recycled and durable materials. These barrels can usually be adapted to fit any size downspout, are often screened to prevent mosquito breeding and may come with an outdoor-style tap that can also attach to a garden hose. In colder climates, look for barrels that allow for easy winter maintenance.

The LumiTM Rainwater Tank provides a striking alternative in the water storage tank market by meeting functional requirements as well as aesthetic ones. The tank glows in the sunlight and is illuminated by internal lights in the evening, making rainwater levels visible at all times. The product is available in a range of colors and sizes and has options for tap and showerhead attachments. The idea behind the LumiTM Rainwater Tank concept is to eliminate the need to conceal water tanks with various landscaping techniques. The hope is that making rainwater tanks visually pleasing will encourage more people to practice water conservation.

Worldwide Recycled materials Low Maintenance. Easy installation $80 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $200

Full Tank. Australia

www.riversides.org www.greenventure.ca/gv/asp

Plexiglas with satin acrylic casing. Materials are fully recyclable Low. Do-it-yourself

DEBRIS DIVERTERS

2006 Winner of the City of Melbourne Sustainability Design Award 2006

First-flush diverters prevent rooftop debris from polluting rainwater collection and are an important addition to any rainwater harvesting system. Typically during a rainstorm, the contaminants found on rooftops, including sediments, heavy metals, dirt, pollens and bird droppings, are channeled through a downpipe directly into your rainwater tank. With a first-flush system, tainted water flows first into a diverter tube. As the water level rises, so does a floating ball, which eventually seals off the tube along with the polluted water. By this point the downspout flow is clean and drains directly into the rainwater tank. The diverter tube empties itself at the end of the rainstorm. Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd., Australia Plastic Low. Do-it-yourself March 2005 www.rainharvesting.com.au www.rainharvesting.com/content/firstflush.asp

www.fulltank.com.au

Photos (Clockwise) Franks Tanks Rain Barrel, Green Venture Lumi Rainwater Tank, Fulltank First Flush Water Diverter, Rain Harvesting

Capture TREADLE PUMPS

ROLLING WATER BARRELS

The treadle pump is an irrigation technology that is particularly useful for landowners of small plots in regions that have a higher water table. The design is simple - an operator stands on two bamboo treadles, and pedals them with his or her feet. The pedaling action controls two pumps which lift water from underground aquifers. The water flows directly to the land or into irrigation canals. The technology is easily mastered and is gender friendly. IDEI, a not-for profit organization, has commercialized low-cost treadle pumps for rural areas of developing countries. The impact of the technology varies, but it is estimated that the annual net income of households using the device has increased approximately $100 per year.

Rolling water barrels offer a solution to the burden of transporting water over long distances (and often by unhygienic methods). For example, the Q-Drum’s unique design permits the cylindrical container to be pulled using a rope. There are no removable/breakable handles or axles, and the rope can be repaired or replaced easily. The Hippo Water Roller is comprised of a drum with a screw-on cap and a clip-on steel handle. These containers can transport up to 90 litres of water and are built to withstand typical rural conditions. Rolling water containers allow communities to transport approximately five times the normal quantity of water previously used for the same effort. Although these products have been made specifically for transporting water in developing countries, they could also be adapted to carry greywater around a garden, for example.

IDEI Manufactured locally, India Bamboo, metal Pedals, pumps Low. None Templeton Freedom Prize – Award for Social Entrepreneurship, Skoll Foundation – Award for Social Entrepreneurship, Most Innovative Development Project – Finalist in GDN Award, 2006 Winner of Asheden Awards for Sustainable Energy Low. Non-profit organization 2001 www.ide-india.org/ide/treadlepump.shtml

Q Drum (Pty) Ltd., South Africa Hippo Roller - Imvubu Projects, South Africa Polyethylene Low. None 1996 Rolex Awards for enterprise 1997 Time magazine. Included in an article on lowtech inventions 1999 Reader’s Digest. Q-Drum featured in book, The World in our Hands World Summit 2002– UNHABITAT. Hippo Roller exhibited CNN International World News. Nelson Mandela has endorsed the project: UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) have included Hippo Water Roller as an example of “Sustainable Product Development” Unknown, but often subsidized through donations www.qdrum.co.za www.hipporoller.org

Q-Drum, Q Drum (Pty) Ltd.

Hippo Roller, Imvubu Projects cc

GLOSSARY Biomimicry - Human-made designs inspired by nature.

Greywater - Domestic wastewater that does not contain human wastes such as bath, shower or laundry water

Hydrophilic - Attracts water Hydrophobic - Repels water Treadle - a part of a machine, operated by the foot, to produce reciprocating or rotary motion (1)

Non-point source pollution - Pollution arising from indistinct sources and transported by the natural cycle of precipitation.

DRAINAGE

PHOTO BY JIM JURICA ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/TACOJIM

Cleanse When we turn on the tap, we often expect to receive a continuous supply of safe and pleasant drinking water. However, the truth is that few communities have pristine water sources â&#x20AC;&#x201C; most are at risk of contamination from harmful substances such as pesticides, manure, cleaning products, gasoline and antibiotics. Water treatment, together with improved sanitation, has advanced public health in developed countries by reducing the incidence of disease caused by water contaminants. However, in the developing world, waterborne diseases are still a major cause of illness and death, especially in children. Water treatment methods include: coagulation/flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection and some communities may also use treatment to improve waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour, taste and odour. This section looks at purification products that are efficient in their use of energy and minimal in their use of toxic chemicals (such as chlorine), but that meet the same quality standards as their traditional counterparts.

Cleanse ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS Reduce chemical burden on our waterways by switching to green and natural cleaning products. There are many options for making safe, nontoxic cleaning products from common household items, and several companies offer complete lines of ecological options. For fast and complete biodegradability, look for products that are plant and/or mineral-based. Baking soda, lemon juice, vinegar, etc. or plant or mineral-based product lines

Eco Friendly Cleaning Products , Ecover

Low www.care2.com/channels/solutions/home/344 www.ecover.com/ca/en http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

NATURAL COAGULANTS A native of northern India, the seed matter of the Moringa oleifera tree offers an alternative solution to chemical coagulants that are traditionally used in water treatment systems. A natural coagulant, the proteins found in the seed kernels react with particles that make water turbid such as silt, clay and bacteria which results in the formation of larger particles that then settle out naturally or can be removed by filtration. Another benefit to natural coagulants is that they are available at a lower cost than traditional chemicals. The Moringa oleifera tree is found widely throughout the tropics. Moringa oleifera tree, India and tropical regions Seed kernels Low WELL, www.lboro.ac.uk/well/resources/technicalbriefs/60-water-clarification-using-moringa-oleiferaseeds.pdf

HOMEMADE WATER FILTERS With this simple technology, filters can be constructed from common materials. According to Tony Flynn, a scientist at the Australian National University (ANU), the process is as follows: mix dry, crushed clay with organic material such as used coffee grounds; add enough water to make a stiff mixture, and form it into a container; place in the sun to dry. Next, surround the pots with straw; put them in a mound of cow manure, light the straw and top up the burning manure as required. In less than an hour the filters will be finished. It is the addition of coffee grounds to the clay that makes filtration possible. During the firing process, the grounds are burnt out, leaving tiny holes or pores, small enough to remove bacteria and pathogens, including E-coli, while water passes through. This idea has the potential to make clean, safe drinking water accessible to much of the developing world. Tony Flynn. Australia. Prototype Clay, organic materials and water Low. Do-it-yourself 2005 ANU, http://info.anu.edu.au/mac/Media/_pdf/ ClayPotFilter_final_web.pdf More information, Tony.Flynn@anu.edu.au

CRUMB RUBBER FILTERS

DISINFECTION BOTTLE

Crumb rubber, a scrap tire derivative, is an alternative to the sand or anthracite particles traditionally used in column filtration systems, where contaminants are filtered from top to bottom in order of decreasing size. The benefit of using crumb rubber as a filter medium is that there are larger pores at the top of the column and smaller ones at the bottom, greatly reducing clogging. Rubber filters are light in weight, making them ideal for portable emergency filtration. The use of waste tires is also cost-effective and has the added advantage of minimizing landfill piles.

This low-cost bottle employs the Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS) method - a simple technology that uses ultraviolet radiation and temperature to destroy the pathogenic microorganisms that cause waterborne diseases. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle has a dual face: a transparent side for maximum UV-A ray collection and a black side that absorbs infrared rays. The bottle purifies contaminated water over six hours of exposure to full sunlight.

Dr. Yuefeng Xie Penn State Harrisburg. USA Scrap tires Low. Unknown 2006

Alberto Meda and Francisco Gomez Paz Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET plastic) Low. None Design developed in 2006 Alberto Meda www.albertomeda.com/en/index.php?sez=0&prod=1

Penn State University, http://live.psu.edu/index. php?sec=vs_highlight&story=20894&highlight=1

NANO DESALINATION NanoH2O has made significant advances in desalination technology at the nano scale. Their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thin film nanocompositeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; (TNF) is designed to attract and absorb water, while at the same time repelling impurities and contaminants that tend to clog traditional membranes over time. This technology has unique advantages over reverse osmosis (RO) technology in that it requires half the space of a RO processing plant while maintaining similar production levels. NanoH2O. USA Nano-structured material 2007 Award of Distinction: Global Water Intelligence Innovation of the Year Founded in 2005 NanoH2O, www.nanoh2o.net SODIS Water Bottle, Alberto Meda

Cleanse UV TUBE Researchers from the University of Berkley have created a point of use (POU) technology, the UV Tube, to address the need for potable water. Ultra-violet rays alter the nucleic acid (DNA) of viruses, bacteria, molds or parasites to the point that they cannot reproduce. The UV Tube consists of a plastic tube and an ultraviolet light bulb, which can run on solar power or electricity and is capable of processing about five litres of water per minute. Successful projects implemented in Mexico and Sri Lanka have proven the UV Tube to be an effective method for eliminating microbiological contamination. It should be noted that the UV Tube does not address issues such as salinity, heavy metals, or other non-biological contamination.

CENTRAL WATER FILTRATION SYSTEM This technologically advanced system is designed to deliver filtered water through every tap in your household from one central location. The purification system combines the activated carbon process with an ultrafiltration process. The carbon eliminates unpleasant tastes and odours, and the ultrafiltration provides a barrier against contaminants, including bacteria, parasites and viruses. The clean water is distributed to household fixtures [how?] and the contaminants are flushed out during the daily, automatic selfcleaning cycle. ZENON. Canada Low / Technician

University of California. Berkley, USA. Prototype

2004 Best of Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s New Award from Popular Science

germicidal bulb and locally available materials

Approximately $5000

Low (New bulb once a year). Do-it-yourself

1980

$60-$150 (USD). $9-$25 (USD) for new bulb

ZENON, www.zenon.com Home Spring, www.homespring.com

2002 UV Tube, http://uvtube.berkeley.edu

PORTABLE QUALITY MONITOR The portable Water Checker will test the quality of any water source, including tap, filtered, mineral, bottled and well. Once water quality is quantified, a facial expression appears on the LCD screen to signify the results. The device also displays total dissolved solids, measured in parts per million, and the life expectancy on the filter. Two AAA batteries are required to power this gadget. Win Com Tek. Taiwan $10 (USD) Wincomtek, www.wincomtek.com Coolest Gadgets, www.coolest-gadgets. com/20061111/portable-water-checker/ UV Tube, Sali Maki

Life Straw, Vestergaard Frandsen

LIFESTRAW The LifeStraw is a portable, personal water purification device that cleans contaminated water, making it safe for human consumption. Designed to be worn around the neck, the LifeStraw will filter up to 700 litres of water in its lifetime, and removes contaminants that cause waterborne diseases. The filtration system includes a customized halogen-based resin, which is extraordinarily effective at killing bacteria on contact. A pre-filter takes out the larger particles and active carbon withholds parasites and microorganisms. The LifeStraw can be used to drink directly from any water source. To prevent clogging, drinkers should blow through the straw following use.

Vestergaard Frandsen. Worldwide Outer shell made of high impact polystyrene Life expectancy is one year from the start of usage or 700 litres. None Readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Digest. Europeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Invention 2006 Well -Tech Award for Innovative Technology Forbes Magazine. Ten Things that Will Change the Way We Live 2005 Time. Best Inventions: Healthy Options 2005 INDEX Award Manufactured for approximately $3 USD Company founded in 1957 LifeStraw, www.lifestraw.com/en/high/evolution.asp

Cleanse OZONATION AND CARBON FILTRATION The Lotus Water Treatment System uses an innovative two-stage process to purify and filter drinking water. The first stage adds ozone (O3) to the water, destroying more than 99.99% of bacteria and viruses. The second stage uses a carbon-block filter to remove pesticides, wastes, chemical contaminants and any remaining ozone. Ozonation, when combined with carbon filtration, is both an effective and cost efficient water treatment technology. Tersano. Canada Low - system indicates when to change carbon filter. None $149.99 (USD) Company founded in 2000 Tersano, www.tersano.com

PORTABLE DISINFECTION PEN The SteriPEN uses ultraviolet light to inactivate bacteria and other waterborne pathogens. This light, portable water purifier has two volume settings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one for 16 ounces of water and the second for 32 ounces. By stirring the pen around in the water, it generally takes about 48 seconds to purify 16 ounces and 90 seconds for 32 ounces to safe, drinking quality. A UV light indicates when the water is ready. The SteriPEN can be useful for travelers, hikers or as part of an emergency household kit. Hydro-Photon Maine, USA 4 AA batteries. None 2001 TIME Magazine. Best Inventions of the Year $99 - $129.95 (USD) 1999 SteriPEN, www.steripen.com

DISINFECTION WITH ELECTROLYTES Hydro-dis is a water disinfection technology developed jointly by the University of South Australia and SSS Water. The technology uses a three-stage disinfection process that removes pathogens and other bio-organisms from water by passing it though a series of electrolytic plates. Unlike other cleaning technologies, the Hydrodis does not use harmful chemicals. The exact disinfection process is a trade secret. University of SA and SS Water Pty Ltd. Australia. Prototype SSS Water Pty Ltd., www.sss-water.com University of SA, www.unisa.edu.au/ unisanews/2006/August/main2.asp More information, wrienquiries@unisa.edu.au

Lotus Water Treatment System, Tersano Inc.

DISINFECTION PAK

ENERGY EFFICIENT DISTILLATION

The AquaPak also uses SODIS technology, but this design includes a reusable, sealed glass tube indicator, filled with colored wax. The wax melts when the water meets the required temperature, signifying the start of the treatment process. Depending sunlight, an AquaPak can produce up to 4 gallons of water per day. This product has the potential to save lives and significantly reduce water-related illness.

Dean Kamen hopes that his portable water filter will save millions of people suffering from freshwater shortages. The Kamen Water Purifier works by heating and distilling water with the help of his customized generator. What makes this design unique is the generatorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s high energy efficiency. The generator reclaims and reuses about 98% of the heat normally lost in the distillation process. It is estimated that, when left running continuously on a few hundred watts of power, a single purifier should provide enough water to nourish a village of 100 people, daily.

Solar Solutions. California, USA Polyethylene plastic Low. None Manufactured for as little as one US dollar per unit Founded 1996 Solar Solutions, www.solarsolutions.info

Dean Kamen Prototype, USA Deka Research & Development Corp., founded in 1982 Time Magazine, www.time.com/time/2003/inventions/invwater.html Deka Research & Development Corp., www.dekaresearch.com

Aqua Pak, Solar Solutions.

Cleanse TERRACOTTA WATER PURIFIERS

MULTI-FUNCTION DRUM

Stefani terracotta water purifiers remove water impurities and improve water’s taste. First, water passes through the micro-porous ceramic filter, eliminating suspended solids, parasites and cysts. The water then runs over a bed of activated charcoal, which eliminates harmful chemicals and unpleasant tastes and odors. The ceramic element is coated with a thin layer of colloidal silver to act as a safeguard against bacteria build up. Water is purified at a flow rate of up to ¼ gallon (1 litre) per hour per filter. These gravity fed purifiers cool water with the natural evaporative properties of the terracotta. Products using similar filtering technology are used by many aid and emergency relief organizations.

The Mvura uses solar pasturization to kill harmful bacteria. The device can be carried on the head to transport water, then opens up to expose it to solar heat. This purifier can clean 15 litres of water in two hours, and is intended to be distributed through aid organizations to households in rural Africa.

Stefani, Australia British Berkefeld Gravity Filters Ceramiques d’Afrique Terracotta Ceramic element can purify up to 700 litres before replacement is required. None $99.99 - $169.99 ( CAD, not including shipping or taxes) 1990 Stefani, www.stefani.com.au/product.php?id=1 Available in Canada at, http://lifespices.com British Berkefeld www.britishberkefeld.com Ceramiques d’Afrique, www.geocities.com/ ceramafrique

Julie Frost. Design Student. Delft University of Technology. Sydney, Australia. Polyethylene Replacement parts easily available Bronze Australian Design Award - Dyson Student Award at the 2006 Australian Design Awards Subsidized http://d4s.blogspot.com/2006/08/mvura-waterpurifier.html http://www.dexigner.com/product/news-g8422.html

Multi-Function Drum, Mvura.

Cleanse EVAPORATIVE DESALINATION The Watercone is a solar-powered desalination system that converts salty/brackish water into potable freshwater using the simple technology of evaporation by solar irradiation. Droplets of condensation appear on the inner walls of the cone and trickle into a separate holding area underneith. The water empties directly into a drinking device by unscrewing the cap and flipping the cone upside down. The Watercone is lightweight, portable, uncomplicated and cheap. Stephan Augustin. Germany Transparent, thermo-formable polycarbonate: nontoxic, nonflammable and 100% recyclable Low. None 2004 Design Award of the Federal Republic of Germany 2003 Materialica Design Award 2003 Good Design Award Watercone, www.watercone.com Wetland Systems, Dan Nelson

WETLAND SYSTEMS Vegetation in wetlands function as natural water filters by absorbing excessive nitrogen, phosphorus and heavy metals, and converting this into plant biomass. Because of their ability to remove heavy metals and reduce pH value, man-made wetlands are now being used in the treatment of urban wastewater. Graded medium, aquatic plants Moderate. Technician Size dependant t The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands www.ramsar.org/info/values_intro_e.htm

SECONDARY WASTEWATER TREATMENT The BIONEST Treatment System is an advanced secondary wastewater treatment system that is intended to attach to a standard septic tank. It uses a biological filtration process with naturally occurring micro-organisms that have the capacity to degrade pollutants. This accelerates and optimizes the water purification process that occurs naturally in the ground and reduces the area needed for a leaching bed by 66%. The BIONEST has many possible residential and community applications. BIONEST Technologies, Inc., Canada Low. Technician Priced per-square-foot. Claims to be one of the cheapest on the market Founded in 1997 BIONEST Technologies, Inc, www.bionest.ca

ECO MACHINES Inspired by natural ecosystems, Eco Machines (also known as Living Machines) are constructed ecological systems that treat sewage and wastewater to be re-used for non-potable water requirements. Eco Machines accelerate the natural purification process, using aquatic plants, bacteria, fungi, fish and other organisms that thrive on breaking down and digesting pollutants.

John Todd Ecological Design Inc., USA Site dependant Low. Technician 2002 MIT/ Lemelson Invention Program, 35 Top Inventors of the 20th Century by in 2002, The Charles A. and Ann Morrow Lindbergh Award, The Environmental Merit Award, The Chrysler Design Award Cost competitive and less expensive to operate than conventional technologies. John Todd Ecological Design, Inc www.toddecological.com/ecomachines.html

Eco Machine tanks, Berea College, John Todd Ecological Design

Cleanse MEMBRANE FILTRATION In membrane filtration, water is passed through tiny holes in a plastic membrane wall. Membrane filtration is categorized by pore size and includes microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. The physical barrier will remove contaminants such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium, bringing water to regulated quality standards for drinking. The efficiency of the membrane filtration processes mean that they require significantly less space than a conventional water treatment plant. As well, cost of operation is now approaching that of conventional methods.

THE ELEVATED WETLANDS PROJECT The Elevated Wetlands is a biofiltration sculpture by Toronto-based artist Noel Harding, that sustains nature in an urban setting. Made from recycled plastic, the sculpture purifies the polluted water of the Don River through a biological filter (wetland plants) and a mechanical filter (waste plastic). The project was commissioned by the Canadian Plastics Industry Association (CPIA), and is located near the Don Valley Parkway and Don Mills interchange. Noel Harding & Canadian Plastics Industry Association. Canada

Plastic

Recycled plastic, recycled resins, auto fluff, polystyrene, filter barriers, geo membranes, geo textiles and aquatic plants

6-12 months. Technician

Low

$300-$20,000 (depending on size)

Recognized in many publications, including: The Globe and Mail, WIRED Magazine, Canadian Geographic

Worldwide

Lenntech Membrane Technology www.lenntech.com/membrane-technology.htm Membrane Filtration Handbook www.osmonics.com/library/mfh.htm Water Island Canada - www.waterisland.net GEA Filtration - www.geafiltration.com

Commissioned in July 1995 The Elevated Wetlands, www.elevatedwetlands.com

Transforming wastewater and sewage into water clean enough to be recycled for reuse is an important way to conserve water.

Photo Elevated Wetlands Project, Noel Harding

WATERING THE LAWN

PHOTO BY HEIDI NELSON

Conserve Water conservation within the home is an important way to protect our limited water resources. Reducing water usage can be a simple matter of installing an ultra low flow (ULF) toilet, retrofitting faucets and showers with low-flow aerators, or limiting the amount of time spent in the shower. It is estimated that by making the switch to low-flow appliances the average Canadian can reduce their indoor consumption by 35%. Experts also estimate that up to half of outdoor water use is unnecessary. In the United States for example, 58% of all domestic water use takes place outdoors. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s washing debris from our driveways or excessively watering our lawns, we are literally pouring away one of our most precious natural resources. Installing smart sprinkler systems, using waterless car cleaners and watering the garden with grey-water is more effective. Incorporating water efficient products can dramatically reduce indoor and outdoor water use and also save on water bills.

Conserve DRIPSTOP VALVE

AIR-FLUSH TOILET

The DripStop Valve replaces traditional rubber washers in a faucet, and forms a watertight seal using internal water pressure. This product is guaranteed for life and claims to work better and last longer than old-fashioned rubber washers.

Instead of water, the Propelair has a unique flushing technology that displaces atmospheric air into the toilet bowl. Once the lid is closed, displaced air forms an air-tight seal and efficiently ejects the contents of the bowl without water or pumps. A small quantity of water is still used to wash the bowl - 1.5 litres per flush, which is 84% less than an average toilet and 75% less than other ULF toilets.

ConservCo Water Conservation Products LLC. Nevada, USA Low. Do-it-yourself Exceeds American Society Mechanical Engineers Standards and Canadian Standards. It also complies with National Sanitation Foundation Standards. Priced higher than ordinary rubber washers

Phoenix Product Development Limited. England. Prototype Low. Do-it-yourself or technician Propelair, www.propelair.com

Drip Stop, www.dripstop.com ConservCo, www.conservco.us

ULTRA LOW-FLOW (ULF) TOILETS Conventional toilets are responsible for up to 45% of domestic water consumption, requiring 13-16 liters for each flush. Replacing them with a water efficient model is an easy way to make significant reductions to your water use. ULF toilets have become standard for new homes, and are quickly becoming standard for renovations. Some of the more common types of ULF toilets can be found in the links below. Worldwide Low. Do-it-yourself or Technician Approximately $100 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $400 (USD) Gravity Siphon, www.sears.ca Dual Flush, www.kohler.com Flapperless, www.niagaraflapperless.ca Caroma, www.caromausa.com Dual Flush Technology, Kohler Co.

LEAK DETECTION

TOILET RETROFITS

Leak detection tablets are inexpensive, non-toxic blue dye tablets that can reveal toilet leaks. Tablet are placed inside the tank – if the dye appears in the bowl after a 10-15 minute period (without flushing), a leak is present. Common food coloring can also be used in the same way.

Retrofit kits convert standard, single-flush toilets to interruptible-flush toilets, where water use is controlled manually with a device that connects to the toilet’s front handle. With some systems, flushing occurs only when the handle is held down and stops immediately upon release. Other designs allow users to lift the handle up for a standard volume flush or down for a lesser one.

Worldwide Non-toxic dye Low / N/A Low Leak detection tablets www.culverco.com/promotions/products/83035.php Dye Tracer Tablets for Leak Detection www.tramfloc.com/tf74.html

Worldwide Typically plastic Low. Do-it-yourself Recognized by most provinces in Canada as an effective method of conserving water Some are available for less than $20 (USD) Interflush, www.interflush.co.uk The Controllable Flush, www.athenacfc.com

DRIPSTOP VALVE The DripStop Valve replaces traditional rubber washers. Using the faucet’s own internal water pressure, a watertight seal is formed. This product is guaranteed for life and claims to work better and last longer than old-fashioned rubber washers. ConservCo Water Conservation Products LLC, Nevada, USA Low. Do-it-yourself Exceeds American Society Mechanical Engineers Standards and Canadian Standards. It also complies with National Sanitation Foundation Standards.

Interflush, Vary Flush Ltd.

Priced higher than ordinary rubber washers Drip Stop, www.dripstop.com ConservCo, www.conservco.us

Controllable Flush, Athena

Conserve TOILET LID SINK The Toilet Lid Sink diverts clean water on its way to the toilet tank, through a tap to be used as a standard bathroom faucet. This device replaces existing tank tops, and is easily installed without tools. The built-in sink concept saves grey-water and floor space. Gaiam. USA Porcelain and white plastic Low. Do-it-yourself $89 (USD) Gaiam: A lifestyle company www.gaiam.com/retail/product/02-0334

Mulltoa 60 Model, Ecoethic Inc.

WATERLESS COMPOSTING TOILETS Using Swedish Technology, the closed system Mulltoa Waterless Composting Toilet accelerates the natural decomposition process, evaporates excess moisture and vents any odours outside. Sitting on the toilet seat opens the trap doors; closing the lid after each use activates the stainless steel mixing mechanism that efficiently breaks down paper and distributes moisture into the compost. The Mulltoa is a fully automatic toilet that anticipates your every move!

WATER DISPLACEMENT Toilet dams are flexible tank inserts that withhold 0.5 to 1.0 gallons of water from each flush cycle â&#x20AC;&#x201C; saving approximately 5 litres per flush when properly installed. Toilet dams must be monitored routinely to prevent interference with the tankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moving parts. Plastic bags or bottles filled with water or sand, suspended inside the toilet tank, can also be used to displace flush water. Bricks or other friable objects should never be used because their particles can prevent full closure of the flapper and can damage valves. A flexible, waterproof material

Worldwide Polystyrene plastic Low. Do-it-yourself or Technician Available in the US as the Biolet, www.biolet.com Available in Canada through Ecoethic, www.ecoethic.ca

Low. Do-it-yourself Approximately $10/set Environment Canada: Toilet Retrofits www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/manage/effic/e_retro.htm

WATERLESS URINALS Waterless urinals resemble conventional ones and can usually replace 98% of all urinal bowls. These systems connect to the regular sewage line, but the water supply line is disconnected and/or removed. The conventional water-filled trap is replaced by a disposable cartridge inserted in the outlet. Urine passes into the cartridge and through a unique sealant liquid. The sealant provides an airtight barrier which prevents odours from escaping, but allows urine to pass through because it is lighter than water. Worldwide Porcelain and plastic Low - periodic replacement of cartridge. Do-it-yourself or technician

Shower Timers, Ripple Products (Pty) Ltd.

Prices range - $400 and up (CND) WhiffAway, www.whiffaway.co.uk WaterWizz: Retrofit Water Saving Products www.waterwizz.com.au Waterless No Flush Urinals, www.waterless.com Falcon Waterfree Technologies www.falconwaterfree.com/how

SHOWER TIMERS Ripple products offer a range of waterproof and steam proof shower timers that suction to the shower wall. The 4-minute sand version is swiveled with each shower. The digital ones have a have a programmable count down timer.

Ripple Products Pty Ltd, Australia Low. Do-it-yourself $4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $19 (AUS) 2003 Ripple Products - www.rippleproducts.com

Waterless Urinals, Falcon Waterfree Technologies

Conserve

Tankless Hot Water Heaters, Tankless Low Energy Systems Inc.

LOW-FLOW SHOWERHEADS Low-flow showerheads reduce water consumption by using up to 60% less water than standard fixtures, without affecting water pressure. When purchasing a low-flow showerhead, look for a quality fixture with a 9.5 LPM (litres per minute) stamp.

Worldwide Low. Do-it-yourself

TANKLESS HOT WATER HEATERS Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, avoiding the need to let water run down the drain while warming up. Traditional hot water tanks store 60 gallons of water at a constant temperature, and are energy intensive. The tankless units circulate and heat water instantaneously through a series of burners or electric coils. These systems are not only water efficient, but also incredibly energy efficient.

Range in price anywhere from $12 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; $199 and up

Worldwide

Neco Patented Vacuum Flow Showerhead www.neco.com.au WaterTile by Kohler www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/newproducts The Gaiam Lowest Flow Showerhead www.gaiam.com/retail/product/46104 Waterpik Online Store, www.waterpik-store.com Water Magic, www.watermagic.ca

Moderate. Life expectancy of 20 years and easily replaceable parts. Technician is recommended Prices range depending on model $400 - $3000 (CND) Rinnai, www.foreverhotwater.com American, www.gotankless.com Noritz, www.noritz.com Tankless Low Energy Systems www.tanklesswaterheaters.ca

TAP INSERTS

ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES

By replacing the standard tap insert and not the tap itself, Tapmagic products save water and money. Tap inserts offer an automatic dual flow outlet. Opening the tap a little gives a strong but water-saving spray for hand washing or cleaning teeth; opening the tap further bypasses the spray mode to fill the sink quickly.

The ENERGY STAR label identifies appliances that are at least 20 percent more energy efficient than standard models. In the case of dishwashers and washing machines, this percentage is higher. An ENERGY STAR washing machine uses approximately 20 gallons of water per load compared to 40 gallons, and an ENERGY STAR dishwasher uses about 40 percent less water than conventional models.

TapMagic Limited: Water Saving Innovations. UK Low. Do-it-yourself Won two DTI Smart Awards Water Research Council Approved

Worldwide

£3.79 – £4.79

Only manufacturers and retailers whose products meet the ENERGY STAR criteria can label their products with this symbol

1999

Prices range depending on product and model

Tapmagic, www.tapmagic.co.uk/life.html

List of ENERGY STAR-rated appliances http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/energystar/english/ consumers/index.cfm

LOW-FLOW FAUCET AERATORS Installing a low-flow faucet aerator can reduce water consumption by more than half. Conventional faucet aerators do not compensate for changes in inlet pressure, so the greater the water pressure, the more water required. Low-flow aerators compensate for pressure and provide the same flow regardless of pressure. Aerators are available at most hardware stores. Some of the online sites listed below may offer a wider selection of styles than available at your local hardware store. Worldwide

WASHMAN LAUNDRY SYSTEM The one-piece Washman Laundry System is targeted to young couples and singles who have limited space or do not require a machine that can handle large loads. The system features low water usage and a high speed spin cycle that reduce the energy needed in the drying cycle. In addition to the Washman’s ultra ‘cool’ one piece washer/dryer design, this product also comes equipped with a removable clothes basket with a separate compartment for socks, underwear and pants. This product is still in its prototype phase.

Low. Do-it-yourself $5 - $10 USD AM Conservation Group, Inc http://amconservationgroup.com/catalog. aspx?catid=16 Energy Savers, http://nrgsavers.com Creative Energy Technologies, www.cetsolar.com Niagara Conservation www.niagaraconservation.com American Faucet Inc., www.americanfaucet.com

Jan Capek and Krystof Nosal Czech Republic. Prototype Runner up in the Elektrolux Designer Competition The Prague Tribune www.prague-tribune.cz/2005/2/17.htm

Conserve FRONT LOADING WASHING MACHINES The front-loading washing machine is the new standard in laundry washing efficiency. Frontloaders use 45% less water per load, can handle larger loads and have a faster spin cycle, which in the end, reduces time required in the dryer. In addition to this, most models will adjust the amount of water used automatically, based on the size of the load. Worldwide Low / Do-it-yourself or technician Higher cost than traditional washing machines, but higher price can be offset by savings - Under $700 to above $1300 (USD) Future Shop - www.futureshop.ca Sears - www.sears.com GE Appliances - http://products.geappliances.com

SMART DISHWASHER GE’s new SmartFill technology has the ability to customize the volume of water used in a wash, and its optimized hydraulic system expends less water while maintaining velocity and pressure. As well, the SmartDispense sensors allot just the right amount of detergent for the load from a 45oz bottle. Detergent amounts are determined based on water hardness, cycle selection and the amount of filth on the dishes. For example, the Single Rack Wash Selection is suitable for smaller loads or for cleaning glasses only. GE Appliances. Worldwide $600 - $1500 USD GE Appliances , www.geappliances.com Next Tag, www.nextag.com/ge-profile-dishwasher/ search-html

AIR WASHING Sanyo’s new washing machine, the AQUA, cleans clothing with a function referred to as ‘AirWash’. AirWash injects clothes with air, combined with ozone, during a 30 minute waterless cycle, that is suitable for dry-clean only, as well as regular garments. Ozone has strong oxidation capacity, which eliminates dirt, unwanted bacteria and odors. The machine also has a ‘normal’ cycle which uses recycled water in the final rinse. The water is kept in a storage tank and infused with ozone to clean and disinfect it after each cycle.

Sanyo. Worldwide Unknown. Do-it-yourself or technician The World’s first Air Wash function 262, 500¥ Sales commenced March 11th, 2006. Not yet available in North America Sanyo, www.sanyo.com Profile Dishwasher, GE

STEAM WASHING MACHINE

SMART SPRINKLERS

Steam washing machines use steam technology to clean clothes using less energy and 35% less water than traditional machines. The machine can operate on a 20-minute steam only cycle or can combine steam with a hot or warm water wash. Steam technology improves washing performance, prevents shrinkage and extends the life of garments. The machine comes equipped with communication modems and an LED display and is available in a variety of colours, including pink, blue and black.

Smart, programmable sprinkler systems measure the amount of water needed by a lawn at any given time, and can activate or deactivate accordingly. Look for certain features when choosing a sprinkler system, including a moisture sensor, a rain sensor and a central shut-off valve.

LG Electronics. Worldwide

Worldwide Low. Do-it-yourself or Technician Prices vary depending on make and model Home Depot, www.homedepot.ca Toro, www.toro.com

Low. Do-it-yourself or technician Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first washing system that incorporates steam technology Manufacturers suggested retail price range from $1,499 to $1,599 USD Company founded in 1958 and product unveiled in 2006 LG Electronics, www.lge.com

RAINWATER GAUGE This device is inserted into the ground away from trees, shrubs and eaves troughs to measure a lawnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water needs. A healthy lawn requires only 25 mm of water per week, including rainfall. Plastic Low. Do-it-yourself Low Toronto Environment Days www.toronto.ca/environment_days

GREYWATER RECYCLING Envirosink is a secondary sink that attaches to standard plumbing fittings. The product helps save water in the kitchen when rinsing fruit and vegetables, for example, by catching it from the main sink and sending it to an approved greywater system, a storage tank or a rainbarrel. The greywater can then be used to irrigate gardens or (with a pump) flush the toilet. The sink is dishwasher safe and is easily removed for cleaning. Bismart Distributers Inc.British Columbia, Canada ABS plastic Low. Do-it-yourself Since 1995 Envirosink, http://www.envirosink.com/index.htm

Conserve

Brac Tank W200, Brac Systems

AQUS System, WaterSaver Technologies

GREYWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Greywater management systems help homeowners reuse the soapy remains of showers, washing machines and kitchen sinks. The intention is to divert the extra fluid away from septic tanks, sewer systems and leaching fields, lightening their burden and saving these systems to treat blackwater only. There are basically two types of greywater management systems. The first is a gravity fed manual system, which does not require electricity or pumps, and diverts water to a specified area. This system may require a larger yard area. Packaged systems require electricity, but are self contained and can be installed indoors.

Worldwide Varies Dependent on system and model The AQUS was selected as one of 20 Cool Products to see at the PCBC – Premier Builders 2007 trade show in San Francisco and selected as one of the top five finalists for the www.SundanceChannel.com “What’s the Big Idea” contest. Dependent on system and model Perpetual Water Australia www.perpetualwater.com.au Brac Systems www.greywater-systems.com/braccorp.htm WaterSaver Technologies www.watersavertech.com/AQUS-Filter.html Ecoplay, www.ecoplay.nl/en Greywater Saver, www.greywatersaver.com Nylex Water Conservation, www.nylexwater.com.au Gaiam, www.gaiam.com/retail/product/44831

DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

ECO-LAWN

Drip irrigation (or trickle irrigation) applies water slowly and directly to the soil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; right where it is needed most, at the plants roots. This also minimizes water loss through evaporation. While sprinkler systems are around 75-85% effective, drip systems are typically greater than 90% efficient.

Fescue grass has very thin blades that require less water than traditional grasses. As well, this slow growing grass only requires mowing once a month.

Worldwide High. Technician

Wildflower Farm. Canada Organic blend of fescue grasses Low. Do-it-yourself

Prices vary

1 bag=$14.50, 2-9 bags=$9.25 per bag, 50lb bags=$43.97 per bag

DripWorks, www.dripworksusa.com Drip Irrigation Design Guidelines www.irrigationtutorials.com/dripguide.htm

Wildflower Farm began in 1988 as a wholesale dried flower growing and distribution company Wildflower Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eco-Lawn www.wildflowerfarm.com

WATERLESS CAR CLEANERS Waterless car cleaning products are liquids that claim to clean, polish and wax moderately dirty cars with one spray application. The cleaning ingredients are said to soften, emulsify and encapsulate dirt, thereby preventing scratching when wiped with a towel or terry cloth. Following this, another towel or cloth should be used to buff the clean section. Worldwide Non-toxic liquid Low NoWet Waterless Car Clean www.nowetcarclean.com.au/theproduct.html Miracle Dry Wash, www.miracledrywash.com

XERISCAPING Xeriscaping is landscaping that can withstand extended periods of drought and uses plants with minimal watering requirements, efficient irrigation systems and turf native to the location. The concept was developed in Denver, Colorado in response to water shortages. This method can be applied to landscapes of any style and to all or part of a yard. Native plants, soil, irrigation systems Moderate. Do-it-yourself or landscaper Dependent on number of factors - size of lot, type of irrigation system, etc. GreenVenture www.greenventure.ca/wwu.asp?ID=7 Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping Earth Easy www.eartheasy.com/grow_xeriscape.htm

GREEN ROOF

Affect Change There are many ways and reasons for individuals and communities to take action in water management. First, as populations grow and water demand increases, cities may be forced to expand and replace expensive infrastructure. To curb this possibility, municipalities and neighbourhood groups should encourage water conservation in homes and businesses. The programs listed in this section use education, consultation, incentives and subsidized services as powerful tools. Secondly, in natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hydrological cycle, rainwater is absorbed by vegetation, filtered through the soil (cleansed and heated) then, finally, picked up by a nearby water body. Hard, paved surfaces disrupt this flow by diverting cold storm water directly into lakes and streams, carrying particles and toxins. By introducing â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;green guttersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and permeable pavements, communities can reduce flooding and erosion in their area, improve local water quality and maintain groundwater recharge and local aquatic habitats. Responsibility for water management and conservation belongs to individuals, businesses and governments alike. It is only with integrated strategies that we can secure the long-term health of water.

Affect Change RAIN GARDENS

LIVING WALLS

Rain gardens are one way for homeowners to capture rainwater and minimize polluted runoff (from road salt, anti-freeze, car oil and construction sites) into storm sewers. They help replenish groundwater supply, enhance urban ecological health and add aesthetic appeal to the community.

A living wall is a natural biofilter designed in the form of a vertical garden. Plants are rooted in compartments that are either freestanding or anchored to a wall. Polluted water is fed through the top to be filtered by the vegetation of its way down, which digests dissolved nutrients. Living walls are particularly suitable for cities where efficient use of space is critical.

Worldwide Native plants, soil, shallow depression in yard

Worldwide

Moderate, Do-it-yourself or technician

Plants, soil, plastic or burlap compartments filled with soil. Design varies by designer

Relatively low, dependant on size of garden and plants incorporated, etc.

Low. Do-it-yourself or technician

Green Venture www.greenventure.ca/gv.asp?ID=177 Healthy Landscapes, www.uri.edu/ce/ healthylandscapes/raingarden.htm

Depends on compartment materials The Living Wall, www.thelivingwall.net Green Space Roofing, www.greenspaceroofing. com ELT Easy Green, www.eltlivingwalls.com

FIXTURE REPLACEMENT Fixture Replacement Programs aim to conserve water using smart domestic plumbing options. This can involve retrofitting shower, toilet and faucet hardware. The City of Barrie, Ontario implemented a program that reduced water use by 18% and capital expenditures by $23,000,000. The program provides new Ultra Low Flow toilets (6 litres per flush), water efficient showerheads and faucet aerators free of charge to households, and also offers pre-qualified plumbing contractors to install toilets at a set fee (paid by the homeowner). Over 11,000 households have participated in the program to date, and 15,500 older model toilets have been replaced. The City has been successful in postponing an addition to its wastewater plant. Barrie, Ontario. City of Barrie Since 1995 City of Barrie, www.city.barrie.on.ca

Living Walls, Elevated Landscape Technologies Inc.

WATER SAVER PROGRAM FOR MULTI-UNIT BUILDINGS AND BUSINESSES The Water Saver Program in the City of Toronto offers a bundled incentive to businesses to reduce water consumption. Property owners of multi-unit buildings or businesses who purchase or lease high-efficiency washing machines may be eligible for up to $125 from the City of Toronto, plus an additional $75 from Enbridge Gas Distribution. Businesses are also encouraged to replace older equipment with new, more efficient machinery. The city compensates a qualifying business with 30 cents for every litre of water saved per day, for a specified time. Toronto. City of Toronto and Enbridge Gas Distribution $73 million for a series of water-conservation programs City of Toronto: Toronto Water, www.toronto.ca/watereff/business_washer

GREEN ROOFS A Green Roof is built on top of an existing roof, and usually includes a waterproofing and root repellent layer, a drainage system, a filter cloth, a lightweight growing medium and plants. This system naturally filters rainwater before it reaches the ground, and is a useful tool for maintaining clean, healthy streams, rivers and lakes. Additional benefits include air filtration, temperature regulation and improved energy efficiency for the building. Worldwide Low. Do-it-yourself or technician Dependant on the design and designer, structure of existing building, size, etc. Green Space Roofing, www.eltgreenroofs.com Xero flor, www.xeroflor.ca

WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) represents a significant shift in the way that water resources and infrastructures are managed in cities and towns. It seeks to minimize solid surfaces and mitigate changes to the natural water balance through on-site reuse of water as well as temporary water storage. This design approach is based on the premise that urban developments and redevelopments need to consider the longterm health of water resources, and has become increasingly popular in Australia. Guidelines, http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC: BASE:343246714:pc=PC_1898 WSUD Technical Design Guidelines & Factsheets, http://www.healthywaterways.org/wsud_technical_ design_guidelines.html Engineers Australia, http://www.eng.newcastle.edu.au/~ncwe/ncweARQ/ ARQ_WkshopNov05_Introduction_Wong.pdf Essential Facts, http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/library/ publications/fact_sheets/drainage/water_sensitive_ urban_design.pdf

DESIGNING WATER'S FUTURE 115

Affect Change PERMEABLE PAVEMENT Hard paved surfaces are disruptive to the natural water cycle. Designing landscapes with permeable or porous surfaces increases access points to the earth for storm water, reducing runoff into sewers. Products include porous asphalt, pervious concrete, paving stone and porous turf. Worldwide asphalt, concrete, stone, turf Low. Technician recommended Prices vary Oaks Interlocking Pavers, Retaining Walls & Enviro Products, www.oakspavers.com Mutual Materials, www.mutualmaterials.com/ Professional_product.asp?pt_id=123&p_id=304

WATER-EFFICIENT GARDEN AND LANDSCAPING Water-efficient gardening and landscaping programs teach native plant and water-minimal horticulture and irrigation. The City of Toronto offers a limited number of free lawn and garden consultation visits between May and August 2007. Ecology Park in Peterborough has a 5-acre demonstration site for sustainable landscaping, where a 12-square metre site is devoted specifically to these practices. Handson programs also provide a venue to distribute other previously discussed water conservation information. Toronto. City of Toronto. Peterborough. Green up Developed in 1993 City of Toronto, Toronto Water: www.toronto.ca/water Green Up, www.greenup.on.ca

HOME POWER EFFICIENCY British Columbia Hydro’s Power Smart Program offers free one-hour efficiency audits for gas, electricity and water use in the home. One of the program’s goals is to reduce water consumption by 3.8 million cubic metres annually. The audit team will install the required energy or water saving products, such as faucet aerators, flush reducers and low-flow showerheads. They will also make recommendations for further action, and hand out brochures and discount coupons for additional products. Several weeks after the installations are complete, utility employees return to verify that the products have been installed correctly and that the householders are satisfied. Word-of-mouth has been the main catalyst that prompting people to enroll in the program. British Columbia. Province of British Columbia electric and gas utilities and credit unions April 1, 1995 BC Hydro, http://www.bchydro.bc.ca

DOWNSPOUT DISCONNECTION Disconnecting downspouts helps alleviate stress on sewer systems by reducing overflow during rainstorms. The City of Toronto will inspect a home’s downspout to see if disconnection is possible, and in some cases will offer homeowners/tenants a free rain barrel. The Program has averaged about 2,300 disconnections per year resulting in some 26,000 disconnections over the the past 7 years. The City is considering mandatory disconnection of all existing downspouts, where feasible, over a ten-year period. Toronto, City of Toronto A Voluntary Downspout Disconnection Program has been in place since 1998 Funding provided to support the program is $1.5 million annually Downspout Disconnection Program www.toronto.ca/water/protecting_quality/ downspout.htm

RESIDENTIAL TOILET REPLACEMENT Growing populations are putting increasing stress on water and wastewater infrastructure in urban areas. The City of Toronto hopes to delay the need to expand its water systems by motivating residents and businesses to replace inefficient toilets. The City plans to replace 450,000 waterguzzling toilets with 6l water efficient toilets by 2011, with a target to reduce water use by 55 megalitres of water per day. The City offers a cash incentive to residents who replace their old-fashioned models ($60 for a 6-litre toilet installment, or $75 for a dual-flush toilet). By the end of 2004, the Toilet Replacement Program had already achieved almost 50% of its target. Toronto, City of Toronto In 2001, Toronto Council adopted the Water Efficiency Plan (includes Replacement Program) Promotional budget of $120,000 City of Toronto: Toronto Water www.toronto.ca/watereff/flush/index.htm

INTERNATIONAL DECADE FOR ACTION WATER FOR LIFE: 2005-2015 In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the years 2005-2015 as the International Decade for Action -‘Water for Life’. The main focus of the program is to promote efforts that will help fulfill international commitments on water-related issues. This includes the Millennium Development Goal of reducing, by half, the proportion of people living without access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. All countries are called upon to stop unsustainable exploitation of water resources and to develop integrated management strategies and conservation plans. United Nations (UN) - Water Launched on 22nd March 2005 Financial contributions / donations are accepted www.un.org/waterforlifedecade

RAINBARREL PROGRAM A Rainbarrel Program can be an effective way to increase water awareness and reduce water demand within a region. In 2001, the Region of Waterloo supplied and distributed 6,000 200litre barrels, which were subsidized at a cost of $20 each. Their one-day event was met with such overwhelming demand that supplies sold out within three hours from three distribution locations. The Rainbarrel Distribution Program continues, but the cost has increased to $30 per barrel, households are limited to one barrel each with valid proof of residency. Waterloo, Region of Waterloo 2001 Annual budget of $225,000, with a total cost of $1,125,000 over 5 years. Region of Waterloo - www.region.waterloo.on.ca/ web/region.nsf/fmFrontPage?OpenForm Call (519) 575-4021 or email us at watercycle@ region.waterloo.on.ca for more details about the Region of Waterloo’s Rain Barrel Program.

GLOSSARY Greywater Domestic wastewater that does not contain human waste, such as bath, shower or laundry water. Non-point source pollution Pollution that arises from indistinct sources and is transported by the natural cycle of precipitation.

PHOTO ESSAY

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Birds are a condition of how we perceive the weather. The sparrows and starlings are quiet before it rains, silent during the peak of a good rain, and cheep in a steady nattering after the rain.â&#x20AC;?

JUG WITH TAP

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 121

RECYCLING WATER BOTTLES

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 123

WASH CLOTH

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 125

BUBBLES

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 127

POWER WASHING

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 129

GARDEN HOSE

PHOTO BY PERIN RUTTONSHA

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 131

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Water is fundamentally benign unless altered by wind or chemicals.â&#x20AC;?

SPRINKLER

PHOTO BY EVELYNE AU-NAVIOZ

WATER, DESIGN AND CULTURE 133

CONCLUSION

WHERE WE GO FROM HERE

Our lives, in many ways, are governed by water. This is particularly true in regions that have distinct wet and dry seasons.

During the rainy season in the village of Tena, which is located slightly west of the deep Ecuadorian Amazon region, the otherwise lazy river swells and gains a swift current that could drown a weak swimmer. Rural roads flood in some places by a few feet, preventing access by motor vehicle, shutting out business in both directions. Locals construct narrow foot bridges from logs so as not to get wet when walking to work. Because of muddy waters, white laundry loads are put off for days. To the opposite extent, communities that go for months without rain often suffer from thirst and hunger.

It is amazing that water can wield such considerable control over humanity yet also be severely impacted by our actions.

Before we had the science to quantify water quality and pinpoint causes of water devastation, why would we not assume that the fast and vast rivers had limitless capacity to absorb our waste? What will we do now that we know that our waterways are vulnerable? How will we modify our relationship with it now that we understand that freshwater will not replenish itself infinitely for our own purposes? Next year, the Institute without Boundariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; research will focus on community water management. This year, we began this exploration in seven key projects:

World House Interdesign 2007 The Institute is organized around the belief that learning comes best when a community shares an ambitious challenge and collaborates to find the knowledge, creativity and innovation required to solve it. As a global community, we currently share the challenge of maintaining and distributing freshwater resources in an equitable, peaceful and sustainable fashion. In June of 2007, designers from around the world will come to the Institute to propose, test and exhibit ideas using four real case scenarios: the Toronto Waterfront, Downsview Park, the Town of Port Perry and the Weston/Mt.Dennis Region.

The Town of Port Perry Charrette: Converting a brownfield into a craft-based gateway community The town of Port Perry is situated on Lake Scugog and beside a natural wetland. In this charette, delegates will imagine how an existing brownfield site can meet the immediate and long-term needs of both the community and the natural environment. The wetlands are an important watershed for the Oak Ridges Moraine, and contain a variety of native flora, fauna and wildlife species. The team will link the site development to the wetlands, and eventually Lake Scugog, with walking trails, paths and lookout points, to promote social interaction and foster awareness of the wetlandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital role in the community.

The Toronto Waterfront Charrette: Revitalizing Torontoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waterfront with a public water sculpture Previously discussed in this book, in greater detail, the goal of this charrette is to design an interactive water feature that creates a strong sense of identity in the Jarvis Slip square, on the Toronto Waterfront. This public sculpture will be unique in that it will provide a space for social gathering, educate the community on responsible water practices and also filter storm water and wastewater from the surrounding buildings before returning it to Lake Ontario. The water feature will demonstrate innovation in water management and restoration while enhancing the social aspects of living, working and playing.

The Downsview Park Charrette: Building an Eco-Identity for Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Urban Park Downsview Park, a former military base and new urban park, is situated between two large watersheds, the Don and Humber rivers, which flow from the Oak Ridges Morraine down into Lake Ontario. In this charrette, delegates will design a summer camp for youth that will have a zero-footprint impact on the river system and will also aim to restore it. Temporary water and sanitation systems will be investigated, which will be useful for youth camps, refugee camps and disaster shelter. The camp will teach the importance of water conservation by purifying rainwater for drinking, recycling grey-water for gardening and composting human waste.

The Mechanical Engineering Student Collaboration Students from George Brown Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mechanical Engineering program teamed up with Institute students to design a rainwater purification system. After investigating a number of existing systems the students decided to combine a pasteurization method with a Solar Water Disinfection treatment (SODIS) using Titanium dioxide (TiO2). This was the first time TiO2 would have been used in a flow system of this kind. The design concept first called for the use of a density driven water pasteurization system that would drive the circulation system. A heat exchanger helped increase the production rate without the use of mechanical motors or pumps.

To achieve the required solar absorption for pasteurization and SODIS, the design relied on two sets of coils. The water circulate through convention tubes and absorbs heat through glass solar collection tubes. Once through the pasteurization coil, the water passes through another copper coil coated with TiO2. The students also considered using a simple sun tracker to maximize solar exposure. Their passive solar filter design, estimated to clean 19 litres of water per hour on a sunny day, is cost effective, and does not require a great amount of maintenance.

The Architectural Technology Student Collaboration In March 2007, in celebration of George Brown Collageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 40th anniversary, twelve teams of thirdâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;year architectural technology students partnered with an Institute team to design a 400 sq ft living space that could be placed in laneways, on rooftops or in suburban backyards. The project addressed the need for densification in urban areas, and also resulted in unique options for bringing water services to informal spaces. Information gleaned from this project will inform the Costa Rica project discussed earlier in this book.

International Design Enterprise Charrette The goal of this one-day charrette was to design a water purification or harnessing device that could improve living conditions for world populations. The product had to be affordable, user friendly and targeted to a specific need or issue. Using the AquaPak and rainbarrels as inspiration, charrette participants designed and built prototype solutions with materials found at Canadian Tire.

CREDIT

APPENDICES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Water Organizations

Soil and Water Conservation Society www.swcs.org/

Canadian Government

International Organizations

Toronto and Region Conservation www.trca.on.ca

Mars Institute http://www.marsinstitute.info/

Ministry of the Environment www.ene.gov.on.ca/

The Worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water www.worldwater.org/

Ministry of Natural Resources www.mnr.gov.on.ca

WaterAid www.wateraid.org/

Non-Government Organizations

Water Conserve www.waterconserve.org/

Canadian Water Resources Association www.cwra.org Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca Ontario Aquaculture Association www.aps.uoguelph.ca/~ontaqua Ontario Environment Network www.oen.ca Ontario Nature www.ontarionature.org Watershed Science Centre www.trentu.ca/academic/wsc/ Community Stream Steward Program www.ofah.org/stream Wetland Habitat Fund www.wetlandfund.com Wetland Research Centre www.uwwrc.net Water www.abc.net.au/water/ Foundation for Water Research www.fwr.org/ The Groundwater Foundation www.groundwater.org/ Watershed Management Council http://watershed.org/wmchome/ Waterwise www.waterwise.org.uk/ Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate www.waterandclimate.org/ Irrigation Association www.irrigation.org Project Wet www.projectwet.org/

The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management www.ciwem.org/ Stockholm International Water Institute www.siwi.org/ Water for People www.waterforpeople.org/ Water Life Foundation www.waterlife.org/ WaterPartners International http://water.org/ UNEP World Conservation and Monitoring Centre www.unep-wcmc.org/ Water Portal of UNESCO www.unesco.org/water/ Freshwater: UNEP http://freshwater.unep.net/ Global Environment Monitoring System â&#x20AC;&#x201C; UNEP www.gemswater.org/ International Secretariat for Water www.i-s-w.org/en/index.html International Water and Sanitation Centre www.irc.nl/ International Water Management Institute www.iwmi.cgiar.org/ Water, Sanitation and Health www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/index.html World Bank Water Supply and Sanitation www.worldbank.org/html/fpd/water/ World Water Council www.worldwatercouncil.org/

Bibliography

Case Study 2

Section 1

Figures from UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1997 in Davis, Mike. Planet of slums. (London: Verso, 2006), 145.

Daniels, Patricia S., and Steve Hyslop. National Geographic Almanac of World History. Washington, DC: National Geographic Society, 2006. Jesperson, Kathy. “Drinking Water History: Search for Clean Drinking Water Continues.” National Drinking Water Clearing House, National Environmental Services Center, West Virginia University. http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/ndwc_DWH_1.html (accessed June 11, 2007). Schoenauer, Norbert. 6,000 Years of Housing. New York: W.W. Norton, 2000. Thurston, Robert H. A History of the Growth of the Steam-Engine. http://www.history.rochester.edu/ steam/thurston/1878/Chapter1.html (accessed June 11, 2007). UCLA Department of Epidemiology School of Public Health. Broad Street Pump Outbreak. http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/snow/ broadstreetpump.html (accessed June 11, 2007).

Hodges, Angola in Davis, Mike. Planet of slums. (London: Verso, 2006), 145. UN-HABITAT. The Challenge of Slums: Global Report on Human Settlements 2003. (Nairobi, Kenya: UNHSP, 2003), xxv. United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 92. United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 98. United Nations Water. Water: a shared responsibility. The United Nations World Water Development Report 2. (Mexico City, Mexico: UNW, 2006), 97-109.

Case Study 3 Cesar Díaz - Architect of the Ministerio de Vivienda y Asentamientos Humanos

Section 2 Case Study 1 Environment Canada. Water works! Environment Canada. http://www.ec.gc.ca/water/en/info/pubs/FS/ e_FSA4.htm (accessed June 11, 2007). Natural Resources Canada. Better water use means bigger savings. Natural Resources Canada. http://oee .nrcan.gc.ca/residential/personal/new-homes/water -conservation.cfm?attr=4 (accessed June 11, 2007). United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Water Assessment Programme. “Meeting Basic Needs.” In UNESCO-WWAP Water Portal Facts and Figures. http://www.unesco. org/water/wwap/facts_figures/basic_needs.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007). United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization - World Water Assessment Programme. “Water and Cities: Water and Human Settlements.” In UNESCO-WWAP Water Portal Facts and Figures. http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/facts_figures/ water_cities.shtml (accessed June 11, 2007). United Nations Water. Water: A Shared Responsibility; United Nations World Water Development Report 2. Mexico City: UNW, 2006.

Ana Gabriela Hindelang - Biologist of Reserva Conchal Marlo Trejos –Urban architect, professor en la UACA Central American Human Rights Comisión. Situación de la Población Migrante a Costa Rica. Reacciones al Informe de Cumplimiento de Obligaciones de la Convención Internacional para la Eliminación de Todas las Formas de Discriminación Racial correspondiente al período XVI, 2000. http://www.fidh. org/intgouv/onu/rappalt/2002/codehuca0502e.pdf (accessed on June 6, 2007). Programa El Estado de la Nación. Proyecto Estado de la Nación, 1999. http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/ Info99/nacion5/rec-1-2.html. (accessed on June 8, 2007.) El Estado de la Nación. Los Desafíos en la Región Chorotega http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/Info2000/ nacion6/cap99f.html. (accessed on June 2, 2007). El Estado de la Nación. Los Desafos en la Región Chorotega http://www.estadonacion.or.cr/Info2000/ nacion6/cap99f.html

Case Study 4 Crystal Fountains International Water Feature Specialists. “Crown Fountain at Millenium Park: Chicago,USA, 2004.” Crystal Fountains and the Environmental Systems Design Inc. http://www.crystalfountains.com/crystalfountains.html (accessed June 2, 2007). Garden–Fountains. Com “Garden Fountains.” Garden Fountains. http://www.garden-fountains. com/garden-fountains-ancient-history.php (accessed June 2, 2007). Urbanlab. “Growing Water: Chicago in 2106.” Urbanlab: Architecture and Urban Design. http://www .urbanlab.com/h2o/ (accessed June 3, 2007). Wikipedia. Fountains. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Fountain (on fountains; accessed June 2, 2007). Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation. East Bayfront Precinct Plan. Prepared by Koetter, Kim & Associates, Toronto, ON: November 2005. http://www .toronto.ca/waterfront/pdf/eb_precinct_plan_pt1.pdf (accessed June 4, 2007). Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation. East Bayfront Precinct Plan Urban Design Guidelines DRAFT. Prepared by Urban Strategies Inc. The Kirkland Partnership Inc. Architects, Toronto, ON, February 2007. http://www.towaterfront.ca/index.php?home=true (accessed June 1, 2007).

Section 3 Wikipedia: A free online encylopedia that anyone can edit. Treadle. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treadle. (accessed June 8, 2007)

Watershed: The World House Guide to Designing Waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future