Methods of Water Management in Apartment

Water Management is a growing trend that enables in bringing down the water bill, saving money, water and environment. Intense competition among water users from agriculture, industry and domestic sector is pushing the ground water table deeper. Proper water management in your apartment helps to make your layout complete sustainable for water without depending on private or corporation water. The more educated you are regarding water management, the better decision you are likely to make. Water consumption in your apartment complex can be reduced by following ways.

Important Methods in Water Management

Many communities accept that there is growing demand for water and thinking ahead about water security or management. Methods of water management can be classified as Conservation, Allocation, retrofit program and Behavioral practices.

Conservation

Conservation or water conservation helps to recharge ground water by reducing consumption and using alternative source of water. This method includes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, reuse of Greywater and recycling wastewater.

• Rainwater Harvesting System: Rainwater harvesting system is collection of rainwater from the surface which directly receives rainfall. Rainwater harvesting system can be rooftop rainwater harvesting or artificial groundwater recharging. Rooftop rainwater harvesting is quite popular since it can either be stored in a tank or diverted to artificial recharge system.

• Groundwater recharge: Groundwater recharge is a hydrologic process where water moves downward from surface water to groundwater. Recharge occurs both naturally and artificially. In natural groundwater recharge, groundwater is recharged naturally by rain and snow melt and to a smaller extent by surface water such as rivers and lakes. Artificial groundwater recharge is a successful method in order to purify surface water and to improve the water management. Artificial groundwater recharge is the infiltration of surface water into shallow aquifers to increase the quantity of groundwater. The volume-rate abstracted from an aquifer in the long term should be less than or equal to the volume-rate that is recharged.

• Greywater System: Greywater is wastewater from non-toilet plumbing systems such as hand basins, washing machines, showers and baths. Most Greywater is easier to treat and recycle than blackwater, because of lower levels of contaminants. The method and standard of treatment in a Greywater system will vary with the size of the system. Pipes and supply points on the Greywater system must be clearly labeled in order to avoid confusion with the mains drinking water. Greywater systems can help you save 35% to 40% on your annual water bill.

• Recycling wastewater/ STP system: Recycling wastewater involves Greywater system and blackwater system. Greywater is easier to treat and recycle than blackwater. Blackwater contains bacteria that can cause disease. That’s why communities build wastewater treatment plants and enforce laws against the release of raw sewage into the environment. Sewage Treatment plant system are used to recycle blackwater. In recent years, there has been growing interest in waste-water reuse as a major component of water demand management.

Allocation of Water Charges

In many apartments, there is no system to know the quantity of water consumed by its residents or apartment owners. They often divide total water bill equally or based on formula such as number of occupants, number of bathroom, size of apartment etc or charge a fixed amount per apartment. This type of allocation is called RUBS or Ratio Utility Billing System. There are two types of water charge allocation- RUBS and Sub –Metering.

• RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System): Under this system, water and sewer costs in apartments is distributed to each resident based on an allocation formula such as number of occupants, Square footage, Number of water fixtures, number of bathroom, size of apartment (2bhk,3bhk etc) or charge a fixed amount per apartment. Under this system, residents or consumers won’t understand the true cost or unit of water consumed by their family members. This method is adopted where there is no way to set up a system.

• Sub –Metering: A typical sub-metering system consists of a meter to measure usage of a specific utility for each unit and a wireless system to transmit the data to a central computer to allow for remote reading. This system enables residents or owners to pay for the water they use rather than paying a fixed amount. For effective water management, this system is recommended as this automatically encourages people to conserve water.

Retrofit water conservation

Retrofitting involves the replacement of existing plumbing equipment with equipment that uses less water. Retrofit programs are permanent, one-time conservation measures that can be implemented with little or no additional cost over their lifetimes. The most successful water-saving fixtures are those which operate in the same manner as the fixtures they are replacing such as dual flush toilet system, shower flow restrictors, low-flow showerheads etc. A retrofit program involves the use of education programs to let users know which fixtures are best, where to get them, and how to install them.

Behavioral Practices

Behavioral practices involve modifying water use habits to achieve more efficient use of water, thus reducing overall water consumption. Changes in water use behavior can be implemented without modifying existing equipment. Behavioral practices involve water conservation measures such as replacing or repairing leaky faucets, awareness activities to promote sustainable management of water resources etc.

Things to remember

• Apartment owners association can implement rainwater harvesting system in the apartment.

• Encourage your family to keep looking for new ways to conserve water in and around your home.

• Re-use Greywater for non-potable used such as cleaning floors, toilet flushing, watering garden etc.

• Install a mini Sewage Treatment Plant system to recycle wastewater.

• Residents need to pay for the water they use rather than paying a fixed amount per apartment.

• Replace existing plumbing equipment with equipment that uses less water.

• Women should be trained as water managers for better utilization of the resource.

• Recharge of groundwater, borewell and aquifers through excavation of percolation ponds and direct recharge

• Conduct Awareness program to promote sustainable management of water resources and water harvesting structures.

• Demand better water management from the builders when you are buying an apartment.

• It would be good to monitor the water use closely and bill people based on usage.

• By conserving water, we can leave more water in nature to protect wildlife and to wash away pollutants that threaten human and environmental health.

Thanks to Mr.Vinod Damodaran-AnCenergy Technology Service Pvt Ltd for contributing this article.

AnCenergy provides technology enabled outsourced business services and has more than 16 years’ of experience in United States providing solutions for Sub-metering and RUBS, in addition to other Energy Management Services. AnCenergy wants to create awareness and also help in providing solution for Sub-metering , RUBS and also provide consultancy for Rain water Harvesting and Wastewater recycling. For more details contact: admin@ancenergytech.com| Tel:080-4164 2282| Mobile:89040 68003|www.ancenergytech.com

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