SOLVING A HIDDEN PROBLEM: RAINWATER CATCHMENT TO OFFSET GROUNDWATER DEPLETION
Impact/Purpose:
The objective of this design is to use collected rainwater for irrigation while simultaneously working to recharge Madison’s aquifer by lessening the need to extract irrigation water from it.
Description:
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is developing a rain water catchment system for the newest wing of the UW-Hospital, the IRC. The UW-Hospital currently imports its irrigation water, at a great cost to the hospital and, more severely, Madison’s water table. The city of Madison currently uses 1.19 million gallons of water per day for irrigation purposes, with the University being the largest contributor. This issue is just an addition to the already pressing problem of Madison depleting it’s aquifer at twice the rate it is being replenished. These pressing crises are in need of action, which is why the implementation of rainwater catchment systems must be employed to combat the exhaustion of Madison’s water supply.
Record Details:
Record Type:PROJECT(
ABSTRACT
)
Start Date:04/21/2009
Completion Date:04/21/2011
Record ID:
200569
Keywords:
WATER TABLE, DEPLETION, WATER COLLECTION, RAINWATER RUNOFF, SUSTAINABLE, CATCHMENT, AQUIFER, REPLENISH,
Related Organizations:
Role
:OWNER
Organization Name
:UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON
Mailing Address
:500 Lincoln Dr
Citation
:Madison
State
:WI
Zip Code
:53706
Project Information:
Approach
:The UW-Madison team uses an integrated design technique in conjunction with public and private institutions. The rain water catchment system will be incorporated into existing structures and construction plans. Sustainable construction concepts will be implemented, all of which focus on the redirection and reuse of rainwater for irrigation as well as the reduction of storm water runoff into the nearby Lake Mendota.
Cost
:$10,000.00
Research Component
:Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development
Approach
:The UW-Madison team uses an integrated design technique in conjunction with public and private institutions. The rain water catchment system will be incorporated into existing structures and construction plans. Sustainable construction concepts will be implemented, all of which focus on the redirection and reuse of rainwater for irrigation as well as the reduction of storm water runoff into the nearby Lake Mendota.
Cost
:$10,000.00
Research Component
:P3 Challenge Area - Water
Project IDs:
ID Code
:SU833939
Project type
:EPA Grant