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Seattle, WA (1/20/10) - McKinstry strives daily to live up to its reputation as a national model for how a business can integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations.
From LEED Gold facilities to providing important thought-leadership on creating jobs for the burgeoning clean energy economy, McKinstry has been on the cutting edge of the sustainability revolution.
Certified Green Plumbers
Now, the service arm of this Seattle company is taking it one step further, arming its plumbers and pipefitters with GreenPlumbers Accreditation. To become certified GreenPlumbers, candidates must undergo 32-hours of training in such subjects as climate and water care, solar hot water, water efficient technologies, and more.
In this challenging economy, homeowners are looking for innovative, cost effective ways to save energy and protect their assets. GreenPlumbers certification represents one more avenue for McKinstry to deliver the quality of service that saves clients energy and money, while earning their continued loyalty and satisfaction.
"The GreenPlumbers training provides our plumbers with the necessary tools and resources to present multiple solutions to help our clients save water, energy and money," states Bob Frey, McKinstry's VP of Service.
The GreenPlumbers program is a partner of the EPA WaterSense program, Alliance for Water Efficiency, the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, as well as other industry leaders that share its mission of bringing environmental training to plumbers. More information about GreenPlumbers can be found at www.greenplumbersusa.com.
From LEED Gold facilities to providing important thought-leadership on creating jobs for the burgeoning clean energy economy, McKinstry has been on the cutting edge of the sustainability revolution.
Certified Green Plumbers
Now, the service arm of this Seattle company is taking it one step further, arming its plumbers and pipefitters with GreenPlumbers Accreditation. To become certified GreenPlumbers, candidates must undergo 32-hours of training in such subjects as climate and water care, solar hot water, water efficient technologies, and more.
In this challenging economy, homeowners are looking for innovative, cost effective ways to save energy and protect their assets. GreenPlumbers certification represents one more avenue for McKinstry to deliver the quality of service that saves clients energy and money, while earning their continued loyalty and satisfaction.
"The GreenPlumbers training provides our plumbers with the necessary tools and resources to present multiple solutions to help our clients save water, energy and money," states Bob Frey, McKinstry's VP of Service.
The GreenPlumbers program is a partner of the EPA WaterSense program, Alliance for Water Efficiency, the California Center for Sustainable Energy, the California Urban Water Conservation Council, as well as other industry leaders that share its mission of bringing environmental training to plumbers. More information about GreenPlumbers can be found at www.greenplumbersusa.com.
The Prairie Waters project for the City of Aurora, Colorado,
is the first large-scale water re-use project in Colorado's
history. Slated for completion in 2010, water will be pumped
from the South Platte River, undergo a six-step treatment
process, and ultimately replenish the diminishing drinking
water supply.
BTrenchless, a Division of BT Construction, Inc., of Henderson, Colorado, completed 4,200 linear feet of tunnels and bores for Aurora's Prairie Waters project. These tunnels were crucial to the completion of the $754,000,000 Prairie Waters project.
BTrenchless utilized various construction methods to account for the diverse ground conditions, including seven Microtunnels, four TBM's, two Hammer bores, and six Auger bores. Sizes of the installed tunnels ranged from 60" to 79" diameter.
BTrenchless, a Division of BT Construction, Inc., of Henderson, Colorado, completed 4,200 linear feet of tunnels and bores for Aurora's Prairie Waters project. These tunnels were crucial to the completion of the $754,000,000 Prairie Waters project.
BTrenchless utilized various construction methods to account for the diverse ground conditions, including seven Microtunnels, four TBM's, two Hammer bores, and six Auger bores. Sizes of the installed tunnels ranged from 60" to 79" diameter.
Website: www.btconstruction.com
California regulators have opened the floodgates for using "gray water"
by issuing an emergency decision that allows residents to create simple
water-reuse systems without a construction permit.
The California Building Standards Commission had expected an overhaul of gray-water rules to take effect in 2011. But on Thursday, it adopted the regulations on an emergency basis due to the deepening drought. Local health agencies may adopt stricter conditions than the state's after they hold public hearings.
Gray water includes wastewater from showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, laundry tubs and washing machines, but not from toilets, kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
Roughly 1.7 million gray-water systems are installed statewide. Most are illegal because homeowners almost always avoid permits and the associated fees. Do-it-yourselfers can build a gray-water system for $200 or less, but permitting-process costs can more than double the expense.
A standard home generates about 160 gallons of gray water per day, or nearly 60,000 gallons per year, state officials said. A family of four could reuse 22,000 gallons a year by tapping the rinse water from its washing machine.
The California Building Standards Commission had expected an overhaul of gray-water rules to take effect in 2011. But on Thursday, it adopted the regulations on an emergency basis due to the deepening drought. Local health agencies may adopt stricter conditions than the state's after they hold public hearings.
Gray water includes wastewater from showers, bathtubs, bathroom sinks, laundry tubs and washing machines, but not from toilets, kitchen sinks or dishwashers.
Homeowners still must follow state guidelines for installation and use. The rules require minimal contact between people and the gray water, for instance by covering the water-release point with at least 2 inches of rock, mulch or other material.
'GRAY WATER' FACTS
New state rules provide permit exemptions for some residential gray-water systems, but people still have to follow several requirements. They include:
The system must allow users to direct water to an irrigation field or the sewer.
Ponding and gray-water runoff are prohibited.
Gray water can be released above ground, but the discharge point must be covered by at least
2 inches of mulch, rock or other material that minimizes human contact.
Water used to wash diapers or other soiled garments must be sent to the sewer.
Gray water shouldn't be used on root vegetables.
Online: For more information about California's new standards for gray-water systems, go to uniontrib.com/more/gray.
Roughly 1.7 million gray-water systems are installed statewide. Most are illegal because homeowners almost always avoid permits and the associated fees. Do-it-yourselfers can build a gray-water system for $200 or less, but permitting-process costs can more than double the expense.
A standard home generates about 160 gallons of gray water per day, or nearly 60,000 gallons per year, state officials said. A family of four could reuse 22,000 gallons a year by tapping the rinse water from its washing machine.
Responsible Management Entities
Guidance Fact
Sheets
Across the U.S., there is a need for more businesses that
successfully manage decentralized
systems. Decentralized systems are increasing in prevalence as
an option that delivers sound economic, social and environmental
outcomes, if effectively managed.Decentralized wastewater systems include the collection, treatment, and dispersal or reuse of wastewater from individual homes (such as septic systems), clusters of homes, isolated communities, industries, or institutional facilities at or near the point of waste generation. (CIDWT Decentralized Wastewater Glossary 2007)
The fact sheets by WERT can be used by existing RMEs seeking to improve their operations, prospective RMEs considering setting up, and other individuals and organizations looking to enter the decentralized wastewater field. The fact sheets serve different audiences by enabling navigation from three angles:Guidance for Establishing Successful Responsible Management Entities (RMEs) (#DEC5R06)
These resources provide guidance for successfully establishing and running organizations that manage decentralized wastewater systems - Responsible Management Entities, or RMEs. These 11 fact sheets are useful for existing RMEs seeking to improve their operations, prospective RMEs considering setting up, and individuals and organizations looking to enter the decentralized wastewater field. This series of fact sheets is available at www.werf.org/rme.
Modeling Onsite Wastewater Systems at that Watershed Scale: A User's Guide (#04-DEC-6)
This report gives planners and regulators guidance in developing and using models to evaluate watershed-scale water quality scenarios associated with decentralized or onsite wastewater systems. It includes resources for each step of the planning process, and explains modeling philosophy, model selection, model sensitivity analysis and calibration, and other concepts. The guide provides case studies and links to reference materials. The information will be useful to anyone who wants to understand how models are used for watershed assessments and decision making. The guidance manual is available online.
The Water Environment Research Foundation, formed in 1989, is America's leading independent scientific research organization dedicated to wastewater and stormwater issues. Over the past 20 years we have produced 300 research reports, valued at over $62 million.
Graywater is all
wastewater except toilet wastes and food wastes produced by
garbage disposals. There are significant differences between
greywater and toilet wastewater (called "blackwater").
According to graywater.net, graywater reuse is a part of the fundamental solution to many ecological problems and will probably remain essentially unchanged in the distant future. The benefits of graywater recycling include:
Graywater is almost always a compliance and legal issue for new construction and remodeling that requires permits. There are a few visionary state such as Arizona or New Mexico that face severe water shortages and encourage water harvesting techniques such as graywater recovery systems.
what it is . . . how to treat
it . . . how to use it
According to graywater.net, graywater reuse is a part of the fundamental solution to many ecological problems and will probably remain essentially unchanged in the distant future. The benefits of graywater recycling include:
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Lower fresh water use
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Less strain on failing septic tank or treatment plant
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Graywater treatment in topsoil is highly effective
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Ability to build in areas unsuitable for conventional treatment
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Less energy and chemical use
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Groundwater recharge
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Plant growth
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Reclamation of otherwise wasted nutrients
Graywater is almost always a compliance and legal issue for new construction and remodeling that requires permits. There are a few visionary state such as Arizona or New Mexico that face severe water shortages and encourage water harvesting techniques such as graywater recovery systems.
GREYWATER
Greywater.com provides a guide to commercial graywater systems.