Water Flashcards
What is water harvesting?
Roof runoff can provide up to 95% indoor residential water use.
It’s a LEED requirement.
You collect your own water and reuse it.
What is a water cistern?
Located underground usually. It’s a tank for storing water
What is surface water?
Water located on top of the Seth’s surface such rivers, creeks and wetlands.
What is ground water?
Fills the spaces between soil particles and fractured rock underground
Impervious surfaces
Hard surfaces (roofs, roads, large areas of pavement, and asphalt parking lots) increase the volume and speed of storm water runoff. This swift surface of water eroded streambeds, reduces ground water infiltration and delivers many pollutants and sediment to downstream waters.
Pervious surfaces
Soft surfaces (green roofs, rain gardens, grass paver lots, and infiltration trenches) decrease volume and speed of storm water run off. The slowed water seeps into the ground, recharges the water table, and sisters out many pollutants and sediment before they arrive downstream waters.
Drip system
Becoming the norm. Make use of accessible water. Employ fertilizers effectively. It sets only the root area. Meant for watering small areas or plants.
Spray System
Saves water up to 30%-50%. You can use solvable fertilizers and chemicals. Spray guns and nozzles are involved. Suitable for large flat areas. Involves extensive amount of water.
Xeriscaping
A term that refers to any gardening technique that aims at conserving water through creative landscaping.
What does Xeros mean?
Greek word for Dry
What is acid rain ?
Results when sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxide are emitted into the atmosphere and transported by wind and air currents.
Clean Water
Springs, wells, purified water, city water
Grey water
Used water from sinks, shwoerts, bath and laundry, without harsh chemicals
Black water
Water from toilets or containing harsh chemicals (solid waste)
What did the Energy Policy Act of 1992?
Set maximum usage for various fixtures.
What is the US EPA WaterSense program?
Begun in 2006 it provides a product label that facilitates purchase of high performing, water- efficient products.
Potable vs non potable.
Basically drinkable vs not drinkable
Organic (chemical) contaminants
Lead
Arsenic
Biological Contaminates
E-Coli
Cryptosporidium
Nitrates (manure)= Blue Baby Disease
Radiological Contaminates
Mining
Industrial Pollution
Power plants
What is Hard water ?
The most common water problem found in the home. It has high levels of calcium and magnesium’s
Softeners reduce hardness via (ion exchange) process
Water Heaters
Common types?
Accounts for 20% of annual heating bill
Storage Tank Heaters: most common
Heat pump water heaters: most efficient
Solar water heaters: most sustainable
Tankless water heaters: on demand at source-efficient but limited (slowly changing to)
POU Point of Use/Tap Mounted or indexing heaters (this is the best
the vast majority of water used in the United States is for the generation of?
Electric power
The process by which water constantly circulates by the sun’s powr is called?
Hydrologic Cycle
