The Green Shower: Saving Water
Before the Shower Begins

Team 2-2:




Mike Noce (Captain)
Karl Buhariwala
Andy Ong
Josh Atzert
Problem Background

On average 3000 gal of water is
wasted by a family of 4 per year
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Problem Background


On average 3000 gal of water is
wasted by a family of 4 per year
Some repercussions may include
salt water encroachment, and
lowering of the water table
http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/free/Pics/Global.gif
Problem Background



On average 3000 gal of water is
wasted by a family of 4 per year
Some repercussions may include
salt water encroachment, and
lowering of the water table
Fresh water is essential for
humans
http://www.biblepicturegallery.com/free/Pics/Global.gif
Problem Statement

Major source of water
waste: water cooling
down in the hot
water pipe
http://www.greywater-systems.com/047902a0.jpg : Modified by Karl Buhariwala
Problem Statement


Major source of water
waste: water cooling
down in the hot
water pipe
People drain this
water before they
start their shower
http://www.greywater-systems.com/047902a0.jpg : Modified by Karl Buhariwala
Solutions

Small water heater in each
bathroom
Solutions


Small water heater in each
bathroom
Recycling system that uses water
that goes down the drain
Solutions



Small water heater in each
bathroom
Recycling system that uses water
that goes down the drain
Temperature regulating water
collection tank behind the wall
Water Heater

Heaters switched on before shower
and off after
http://www.eurouno.com.my/images/installguide_wh_1
5.jpg
Water Heater


Heaters switched on before shower
and off after
Large amounts of
electricity lost:
2 kWh /10 gal
http://www.eurouno.com.my/images/installguide_wh_1
5.jpg
Water Heater



Heaters switched on before shower
and off after
Large amounts of
electricity lost:
2 kWh /10 gal
Piping and wiring
could be quite costly
http://www.eurouno.com.my/images/installguide_wh_1
5.jpg
Recycling System

Water can be reused throughout
household
Recycling System


Water can be reused throughout
household
Calls for a completely separate
piping system dedicated to recycling
Recycling System



Water can be reused throughout
household
Calls for a completely separate
piping system dedicated to recycling
Could require pumps to be reused
in multiple water systems
Recycling System
http://www.srcsd.com/purplepipes/images/PipeDiagram.gif : Modified by Karl Buhariwala
The Green Shower

A 600 in3 water tank is placed behind the
wall of the shower
The Green Shower


A 600 in3 water tank is placed behind the
wall of the shower
The cold water is collected in the tank
The Green Shower



A 600 in3 water tank is placed behind the
wall of the shower
The cold water is collected in the tank
The hot water raises the cold water to the
desired temperature
The Green Shower




A 600 in3 water tank is placed behind the
wall of the shower
The cold water is collected in the tank
The hot water raises the cold water to the
desired temperature
Conventional override kicks in
Diagram of Solution
Adams
Criteria for Success

Solution must end up saving as
much as water and energy as
possible
Criteria for Success


Solution must end up saving as
much as water and energy as
possible
The changes that would be made to
the conventional shower should be
minimal
Cost
Recommendations for Future Work

Save as much water as possible
http://www.cshp-bc.com/events/2005_Events/AGM05/thinking_man2.jpg
Recommendations for Future Work

Save as much water as possible

Cost efficiency
http://www.cshp-bc.com/events/2005_Events/AGM05/thinking_man2.jpg
Recommendations for Future Work

Save as much water as possible

Cost efficiency

Develop Electronics
http://www.cshp-bc.com/events/2005_Events/AGM05/thinking_man2.jpg
Summary

766 gallons of water is wasted each
year per person and this can be
saved
Summary


766 gallons of water is wasted each
year per person and this can be
saved
The Problem: Water wasted in a
shower
Summary



766 gallons of water is wasted each
year per person and this can be
saved
The Problem: Water wasted in a
shower
Solution: The Green Shower
Schedule (Gantt Chart)
Adams
References


Adams, Robert. The Diagram. 9th March 2007.
"Department of Energy - Water." U.S. Department of Energy. 1 Jan. 2007
<http://www.energy.gov/waterheating.htm>.

Engineering Team 2-2. “Shower Survey.” Survey. February 2007.

Herro, Alana. "Global Action Required to Avert Water Crisis." World Watch 19 (2006): 7.

"How Excessive Water Use Affects Water Quality." Environmental Protection Agency. 15
February 2007 <http://www.epa.gov/OW/you/chap2.html>.

King, Nelson. Water conservation system. Patent 6,997,200; February 14, 2006.

Land, Lewis, Jeff Lautier, Nathaniel Wilson, Gabrielle Chianese, and Steven Webb.

"Geophysical Monitoring and Evaluation of Coastal Plain Aquifers." Research Library Core 42
(2004): 59-68.

Neal, Andrea. "Where's the Water?" The Saturday Evening Post (2006): 60-63.

Pimentel, David, Bonnie Berger, David Filiberto, and Michelle Newton. "Water Resources:
Agricultural and Environmental Issues." Bioscience 54 (2004): 909-919.

Radford, Tim. "Groundwater Diminishing Everywhere, Says UN." Dawn. 16 February 2007
<http://www.dawn.com/2003/06/08/int15.htm>.
Acknowledgements

Mr. Robert Adams

Mr. Atzert

Mr. Boyer

Dr. Sokhansanj
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Questions