Tag Archives: aging infrastructure

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

Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

U.S. Water Supply Challenges

ARCSA conferencelogoSeattle based RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems to attend ARCSA conference addressing U.S. Water Supply Challenges.

This year marks ARCSA‘s 20th anniversary, and its annual conference will put the focus on Rainwater Harvesting: Solutions to U.S. Water Supply Challenges.

The annual rainwater collection conference, to be held in Phoenix, AZ this November, will offer presentations from educators, industry professionals, and keynote speakers, with topics including legislative action, codes and standards, guidelines, along with panel discussions, and workshops centered around rainwater collection.

Ken Blair, RainBank LLCRainBank’s president Ken Blair was tapped to present a session on Urban Rainwater Collection and its effects on stormwater runoff mitigation.

Additionally, Ken will participate in an advanced continuing education course to attain the designation of Inspection Specialist (IS), augmenting his already achieved, Accredited Professional (AP) qualification and lifetime member status.

Adding the IS accreditation to its list of qualifications solidly identifies RainBank as the leader in rainwater catchment systems design and installation for commercial and residential customers, especially for Seattle area customers and classifies RainBank as the most qualified, up to date, professional Rainwater Collection company in the industry.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Contaminated Water At Home

contaminated waterDo you think contaminated water only exists in developing countries?

The other day, there was a Boil Your Water Advisory in Washington State. According to KIRO News, “About 800 residents in Wauna on the Key Peninsula were affected when E. coli was detected in their water supply.” The water system in Wauna is a community well system. The contamination was found during a routine monthly test, but the source of the contamination has yet to be determined.

E. coli has been recently detected in the Mount Baker area. The water system serves about 220 homes. One child died and 2 others got sick in Lincoln County, Oregon last week. In addition, Mercer Island City water system had a suspected outbreak as well. Local restaurants were affected and lost profits due to the scare. Earlier this year dead birds were found in a Portland city reservoir.

There have been 26 contaminations this year – and 25 last year as well. These boil alerts are becoming increasingly more common throughout our country.

Why is this happening? Aging infrastructure can partly be attributed to the cause.  With increased population density and larger demands on our centralized water and sewer districts, rainwater collection and decentralized water systems may be the better answer for Seattle. A small urban rainwater collection system for residential use is easy to maintain and has less potential of contamination if installed and properly maintained.