Infrastructure

Innovative Use of Water to Help Power Portland

Portland_and_Mt_HoodLights partly powered by drinking water?

As infrastructure ages, clever solutions are being invented to create sustainable energy systems. A new method adopted in Portland, OR captures energy as water flows through the city’s pipes, creating hydropower without the negative environmental effects.

According to an article in Fast Company, small turbines in the pipes spin in the flowing water, sending that energy into a generator. The power is sent into the grid, and although it isn’t enough energy to run a city, the pipes could potentially power individual buildings like a library or school, or help offset an energy bill.  An interesting feature is that the system can generate electricity at any time of day, regardless of weather, since water is always flowing through the pipes.

Greater potential may be California, where a large chunk of energy usage goes into the water supply. With these pipes, utilities might generate some of their own much-needed power.

Click here to read the full article.

Portland and Mt. Hood from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository courtesy of Amateria1121

Residential Rainwater Collection

How to Achieve Potable Harvested Rainwater with UV Disinfection

file0002019685404UV disinfection is the most common method used in residential rainwater collection systems.

UV light is generated by  supplying voltage across a mixture of gas, causing a discharge of photons, disrupting the DNA of microorganisms which prevents them from reproducing.  If the microorganism cannot replicate, it cannot infect, so viruses, bacteria, Cryptosporidium and Giardia cyst threats are effectively reduced.

A residential UV system typically consists of a power supply (ballast), a UV lamp housed in a Quartz sleeve inside a stainless steel chamber. The flow is directed close to the UV light while passing through the chamber. Effects of turbidity or clarity of the water before entering the chamber must be reduced by proper filtration upstream. Sediment and carbon filtration is used to reduce solids and solution contaminants, which can reduce the effects of UV disinfection. Filtration and UV bulb most be routinely changed in order for all to work effectively. It is recommended to follow manufacturer’s instructions closely, and filters should be changed out as needed.

Some UV systems offer an alarm or sensor with solenoid shut down if the UV system is not working properly. A class “A” UV is the only system considered to purify water that has NOT been deemed “safe to drink”, therefore caution is recommended in the use of a class “B” filter which maybe more tempting to use because of price. The difference between the two is the dosage of the UV light; the lower dose is not as effective in disinfecting. If a more advanced filtration system is used prior to disinfection, you can increase the effectiveness of the class “B”, but caution must be taken for proper results.

UV disinfection provides a relatively low cost, dependable, efficient, chemical free method of water purification that the homeowner can operate to disinfect his or her water supply.

With proper design, installation, and maintenance, clean, safe, and dependable potable water can be achieved from UV disinfection and rainwater collection.

Rainwater Catchment

Is Seattle Making Progress on Stormwater Solutions?

Space_Needle_Mount_Ranier_Seattle_Washington_USAIs Seattle Making Progress on Stormwater Solutions?

With all of the new construction taking place in the Seattle area, many commercial projects have stepped up to the plate and have adopted rainwater collection in their building’s designs to address stormwater solutions.

Below are photos of some of the commercial projects RainBank Rainwater Systems has been involved with over the last few years. Congratulations to all the engineering firms, general contractors, designers, and owners of these buildings for being on the leading edge of conservation, sustainability, and stormwater mitigation.

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Rainwater Systems