Exam 1 Study: Houston Water Review

Question 1

How does the size of Houston Public Works compare to other public works organizations in the US?

Answer 1

Largest & most diverse public works organization in the country

Question 2

Houston Public Works is responsible for:

Answer 2

1. Streets
2. Collecting & treating water
3. Producing & distributing water
4. Drainage
5. Permitting & regulation of construction

Question 3

Approximately how many people are served by the Houston Public Works?

Answer 3

2.3 Million

Question 4

The City of Houston drinking water system has a “_______” rating.

Answer 4

Superior

Question 5

Houston is the regional water provider for…

Answer 5

Harris County and portions of the 3 surrounding counties.

Question 6

Houston has sufficient water supplies through ___________.

Answer 6

the year 2050

Question 7

What is the majority of Houston’s water used for?

Answer 7

Manufacturing purposes and Industrial purposes.

Question 8

What sources of surface water does the City of Houston have? And how much ownership does it have over these sources?

Answer 8

Lower Trinity River
Lake Houston (100% ownership)
Lake Livingston (70% ownership)
Lake Conroe (70% ownership)
Future: Allen’s Creek Reservoir (70% ownership)

Question 9

What percentage of Houston’s water supply comes from surface water? Ground water?

Answer 9

86% surface, 14% ground

Question 10

Some methods of limiting pollution/contamination of Houston’s surface water sources are…

Answer 10

• Proper use and maintenance of motorized equipment to eliminate fluid discharge
• Establishing best-management-practices (BMPs) to protect water resources
• Educating people about water and water pollution sources
• Limiting chemicals, herbicide, and human waste runoff from development of the habitat surrounding water sources

Question 11

The engineers in our class did a calculation for us. They found that the classroom holds about ______ gallons of water. (Important)

Answer 11

550,000

Question 12

____ flows from the Trinity River into Lake Livingston, and from the San Jacinto River into Lake Conroe and Lake Houston

Answer 12

86%

Question 13

As per the Houston website: Protecting water resources from contaminants:

Answer 13

• delays increases in water rates
• delays the cost of new infrastructure
• eliminates the need for supplementary
  treatment procedures

Question 14

Commercial, industrial and residential development of a lake’s surrounding habitat can lead to runoff of:

Answer 14

• Fertilizers
• Human waste from improperly
  maintained septic systems
• Chemicals
• Pesticides