Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Residence-to-Garden Greywater Delivery System
EPA Grant Number: SU834335Title: Residence-to-Garden Greywater Delivery System
Investigators: Goldberg, Nisse , Clements, Lee Ann , Lane, W. Brian , Barra, Derrick , Janiak, Elizabeth , Dieujuste, Erdy , Carmody, Eric , Dey, Janelle , Manis, Jenna , Forkal, Kenzie , Huderson, Leon , Stoner, Patrick , Ly, Reynold
Institution: Jacksonville University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $9,976
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Challenge Area - Safe and Sustainable Water Resources , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
This project was interdisciplinary in nature, drawing upon knowledge from engineering, biology, and environmental science in order to design, build, and evaluate one of the first residence-to-garden greywater systems designed for a university campus by undergraduate students. We demonstrated the feasibility of developing an irrigation system that utilized water from air-conditioning (AC) condensate, rainwater, and laundry wastewater collected from residential buildings.
With the help of the Campus Facilities Department, the team designed a collection and delivery system that meets Florida’s permitting requirements. The water will be used to irrigate a garden of native plants. An experiment was conducted that tested for differences in nutrient concentrations, pH, and turbidity in laundry wastewater as a function of the type of detergent used. This information will be used to better understand characteristics of greywater. To ensure the safety of the water and garden, a protocol was developed to monitor for water and soil quality.
Our project also aimed to educate the campus community in water conservation and its role in promoting the health of the St. Johns River. The team developed a Web site that illustrates the design of the greywater delivery system and garden. In addition, an outdoor display was designed that describes the purpose and plan of the system. The team developed and conducted a series of surveys to ascertain attitudes towards water conservation, the use of greywater, laundry habits, and use of AC by the campus community.
This project aimed to design and assess a greywater delivery system that is low-cost and can be used for residential units on university campuses and for similarly-sized apartment complexes.
The main objectives of this project were to
- design a collection, storage, and delivery system for rainwater from the roof, AC condensate, and laundry wastewater;
- construct a collection, storage, and delivery system for rainwater and AC condensate;
- design and implement a demonstration native-flora garden;
- monitor the quality of soil and water quality;
- survey JU faculty, staff, and students to assess attitudes concerning water conservation and the use of greywater for irrigation purposes; and
- develop educational materials presented in an outdoor display and Web site.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
The project was conducted through a 2-credit course offered in the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters. The team designed the various components of the system, Web site, and outdoor display. Protocols for analyzing the water were designed and tested. In addition, groundwork for the permit to hold the laundry wastewater was initiated with success. The permit for the greywater system will be required for the installation of the cistern in Phase II to store laundry wastewater system. Native trees, shrubs, and herbs were identified as tolerant to greywater and will be planted in the garden. These plants will provide habitat to the many species of birds and insects found at Jacksonville University. Students completed an experiment that measured phosphorous and nitrogen in laundry wastewater that differed with the type of detergent used (biodegradable product and regular detergent) or not used (control). They learned that their clothes contribute to the nutrients found in laundry wastewater. Surveys of attitudes towards water conservation were conducted and analyzed. The majority of those surveyed were open to water conservation measures but were unfamiliar with greywater. Surveys of laundry habits and AC use were also conducted. Of the students surveyed, most use liquid detergent and hot water. Temperatures in the apartments remain, on average, at 70°F.
Conclusions:
This project was a model for student-centered learning with interdisciplinary objectives. The team was represented by majors in the fields of biology, computer sciences, and psychology, and ranged from first-year undergraduates to graduating seniors. The various strengths of the student team contributed to the success of the project. For example, the Web site was designed by a student with a background in computer science. The biology students designed and conducted the tests for water quality in laundry wastewater. The team learned that nutrients were more likely to come from the dirty clothes than from the detergents themselves. The surveys were created by psychology majors who had experience in survey design. From the surveys of the campus community, awareness for water conservation appears to be much higher than that for energy conservation. In summary, the team learned experientially how to research (ex. surveys, laundry wastewater, literature review) and design, in consultation with experts, the greywater, rainwater, and AC delivery system, and to educate (Web site and outdoor display) the public of their project.
Project investigators Goldberg, Clements, and Lane designed the course to promote leadership, collaboration, and cooperation. By assigning leaders for the various components, the project moved forward and the students developed confidence and ownership. Their innovation and initiative resulted in achievable plans to harvest, store, and deliver the rainwater, AC condensate, and ultimately, laundry wastewater. They sought the advice of experts to ensure proper and safe designs. For example, the students worked closely with grant-partner Campus Facilities Department to understand the layout of the building, identify routes of the pipes and locations of the cistern and garden. Team members collaborated with faculty members throughout the entire process of research, design, and implementation of the project’s various components.
In summary, this project was a success on many levels. The EPA P3 grant allowed for the university to have an inexpensive model to reuse water for irrigation purposes. The students have learned to become project leaders and educators in water conservation.
Supplemental Keywords:
conservation, habitat, Florida, FL, waste reduction, terrestrialThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.