Sustainable construction is now more than just “green” buildings and “green” construction materials. It is now about water management, and this is especially important in regions where water regulations are becoming more stringent, water and wastewater treatment plants are aging, and climate change is affecting water supplies. Access to clean drinking water, efficient handling of wastewater, and water purification systems are now integral parts of a well-thought-out construction plan, and this is especially true when this construction aligns with environmental protection and long-term economic viability.
New construction projects now take into account the relationship between water and land, from clean drinking water supplies to handling stormwater and greywater reuse. This is now about water as an engineered system, rather than just a utility. And within this framework, clean water technologies such as purification, filtration, and system design are becoming more important.
The Intersection of Clean Water and Sustainable Building
Clean water management in buildings was, and still is, largely about access to clean drinking water, which is supplied by city water and water fixtures. However, in sustainable construction, this is now about more than just clean drinking water:
Local water scarcity and supply reliability
Lifecycle costs of infrastructure
Health and safety standards for inhabitants
Integration with renewable energy and waste systems
Long-term resilience against climate variability
For construction planners and builders, clean water technologies and their role in sustainable construction planning are now more important than ever. Choices made from clean water technology providers like Aquarene show just how clean water can be integrated into new construction, from residential, commercial, and even mixed-use construction projects.
This broadened perspective places water technology as a utility and a design consideration that influences energy consumption, inhabitant comfort, and regulatory compliance.
The key to these considerations is to ensure that the water entering a building, circulating through it, and exiting it meets certain quality standards. This includes the elimination of contaminants, management of impurities, and optimizing the process without excessive energy and chemical consumption.
Why Water Purification is Important in Construction Planning
Clean and safe water is essential for inhabitants. While municipal authorities have the infrastructure to purify large volumes of water for consumption, there are localized factors that can impact the quality of the water.
For example:
Water quality can be affected by aging infrastructure and other factors.
Even if the municipal water supply is safe for consumption, there may be a desire to have a backup source of clean and safe water.
Removal of residual contaminants that standard treatment does not address.
Better taste and odor for a more comfortable human consumption experience.
Targeted reduction of specific compounds.
Specialized preparation for other purposes.
Considering these factors and variables, there is a greater likelihood that water purification technology is incorporated into the building blueprint.
What are the Common Clean Water Technologies Being Used in Modern Construction Projects?
There are a number of technologies that support clean and safe water in a sustainable building framework. Each of these technologies has their benefits and limitations and is best suited for specific purposes.
Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems
Reverse osmosis is perhaps one of the most well-recognized advanced purification technologies. The process of RO utilizes a semi-permeable membrane to eliminate dissolved minerals, heavy metals, and other impurities that regular filters cannot capture. The process is particularly useful in circumstances that involve:
Water Hardness Levels: High
Presence of heavy metals/heavy salts
Microbiological safety is of utmost importance
RO systems can be designed to operate at the point of use, e.g., in kitchens, laboratories, etc.
They can also be designed to operate at the building level.
Activated Carbon Filters
Activated carbon filtration is best suited to eliminate organic chemicals, chlorine, and taste/odor problems.
It is not as effective in eliminating dissolved solids, though.
It is an energy-efficient technology.
Ultraviolet (UV) Sterilization
UV Sterilization uses ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses, etc.
It is best suited to eliminate microbiological contamination.
It can be used in conjunction with other technologies to ensure complete water purity.
Ceramic and Micron Filters
These filters use fine particles to eliminate sediment, rust, etc.
They are best suited to eliminate particles that affect water clarity.
They can also be used to protect other membranes.
Smart Sensor and Monitoring Systems
Recently, advanced technologies use sensors to detect water purity.
These sensors can detect turbidity, pH, etc.
These sensors can be used to optimize water treatment processes.
Designing for Efficiency and Sustainability
In sustainable construction, designing water technologies is never done in isolation.
There are several factors to consider, including:
The energy efficiency of water treatment systems
The integration with rainwater harvesting systems
The integration with greywater reuse systems
The space requirements for water treatment systems
The footprint of water treatment systems
The maintenance requirements of water treatment systems
For instance, the wastewater ratio of an RO system can be used to determine whether to use rainwater harvesting to minimize wastewater. Similarly, using UV treatment with low-energy pre-filters can minimize the energy requirements of an advanced system.
Integrated purification in residential buildings
In modern residential buildings, builders use multi-tiered water purification systems, including point-of-entry systems, which purify all water, eliminating scale, chlorine tastes, and sediment problems. Similarly, they use point-of-use systems, which include reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, and other technologies to purify water at specific points of use, such as kitchen sinks.
This multi-tiered approach to water purification is similar to what is recommended for industrial-scale water treatment facilities, adapted to residential use.
Regulations and standards for clean water solutions
Building codes and health regulations are important factors to consider when it comes to choosing water treatment systems. For instance, in most countries, water intended for consumption must meet minimum requirements set by relevant authorities. Similarly, changes to water chemistry must meet inspection requirements.
At a global level, regulations, such as those set by the World Health Organization (WHO) on water quality, recognize that safe drinking water systems are an important component of public health strategies, which can minimize disease burdens.
By aligning building-scale water treatment systems with these global standards, we can ensure that on-site water treatment systems work in harmony with public health goals, rather than creating risk profiles that are at odds with one another.
Lifecycle costs and upfront investments
A false assumption in the water technology planning process is that advanced systems are too costly. While premium systems may have a greater initial cost than more standard water filtration systems, the overall value of such systems can far outweigh this initial cost differential in several ways:
Reduced need for bottled water
Reduced maintenance costs due to proper matching of system to water type
Energy savings of efficient systems
Enhanced real estate value due to built-in water treatment systems
Calculating overall cost of ownership of these systems allows decision-makers to more accurately budget for these systems and avoid unexpected costs.
Integration with green building systems
Technologies used in clean water systems also have an impact on the overall sustainability of buildings when integrated with voluntary systems such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). These systems can award points for:
Water efficiency
Reduced demand on potable water supplies
Inclusion of advanced filtration systems for indoor air quality
Integration with reuse systems
Such systems are increasingly important in the overall evaluation of buildings and can be an incentive for the integration of water technology systems.
User experience and health benefits
While not necessarily quantified in terms of overall system performance and sustainability, the human element of the overall water system should not be forgotten. Good water is important for several aspects of human health and well-being:
Taste and hydration
Reduced risk of health problems due to impurities in water supplies
Positive perceptions of quality and comfort
If residents or occupants have a positive perception of the quality and comfort of the water they use, it will positively impact their satisfaction with the built environment.
Challenges and risk management
Similar to other technologies and processes in the built environment, there are challenges that come along with the use of water treatment technology:
If the technology is not properly sized for the specific use case, it will not perform optimally
If it is not properly maintained, it will compromise the quality of the water it produces
If it is not properly selected for a specific use case, it will not address the specific contaminants that are present in the source water
Planning processes that include testing the water and consultation with experts and engineers will help mitigate some of these risks. Engaging the expertise of engineers and other water experts during the early stages of the building’s design will ensure that the technology selected is suitable for the specific use case.
The future of water technology in the construction industry
As the world faces increasing challenges in water scarcity and quality, it is likely that there will be increasing interest and investment in new technologies and techniques in synthesis, smart monitoring, and other types of modular technologies. The expectations for buildings to have to treat and reuse water will also increase, especially in densely populated regions.
The emerging trends in water technology include:
Real-time feedback on the quality of the water
Technology that is responsive to changing conditions of the source water
Increased integration of renewable energy sources
More efficient technologies for membranes and filters that will reduce waste
