Transcript Tongren Zhu

Rainwater Harvesting using 3D roofs in
Corpus Christi, Texas
By Tongren Zhu Dec. 20th,2012
Rainwater Harvesting
Definition
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and storage
of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer.
Uses
Including water for garden, water for livestock, water
for irrigation, cleaning of bathrooms as in first flush,
etc.
Benefit
Provide sufficient water supply, serve as a valuable
stormwater management tool.
Corpus Christi
Fifth largest US port, with an
unemployment of 6.6% and
annual GDP growth of 3.1%
With a population of 305,215
according to 2010 census, 10%
increase since 2000
Growing needs for water, but
declining supply from reservoir
Growing Demands & Declining Supply
Additional Source of
Water Needed!!!
Lake Corpus Christi Reservior
http://www.nueces-ra.org/CP/CITY/day.php
http://corpuschristi.usgulf.info/Level.asp
Project Area
237 buildings in total
All commercial buildings in
downtown
With field value of roof areaXY,
facade area, reletive height, roof
slope etc.
Will look into potential of
rainwater for toilet use
Calculation of Toilet Water Needs
Toilet: 6L(1.6 gallon) per flush
Urinal: 3.8L(1 gallon) per flush
Lavatory Faucet: 5.7L(1.5 gallon) per minute
Assume 10 hours in the office per day
For male, use toilet 1 time, use urinal 4 times, 21.2L/(cap-day)
For female, use toilet 5 times,30L/(cap-day)
For one capita, 25.6L/day. We use 30L/day here.
30L/(Cap-d)
Calculation for water Needs
Parameters set: 4.5m/floor, 25m2/cap
Capita in Building 
OfficeArea 0.9RoofAre aXY  Story 0.9RoofAre a  RelativeHe ight/4.5


25m 2 /cap
25m 2 /cap
25m 2 /cap
Water Needs in Building=30L/(cap-day)×Capita
For Some special buildings, area are remeasured.
Month Toilet Water Needs in Each Building
Rainwater Captured
• Precipitation Data
• Rainwater Captured
=Precipitation× Roof AreaXY×0.85
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Median
0.99
1.36
0.78
1.39
2.70
2.43
1.04
2.64
4.00
2.60
1.34
0.90
Average
1.54
1.85
1.36
2.03
3.12
3.16
1.80
3.28
5.21
3.50
1.57
1.59
Month Balance Calculation
End of Month=End of Previous Month+Rainwater Captured this month-Water Used this month
In the case of ObjectID=1 building:
To ensure water supply, the lowest End of Month
Storage value(-1.021m3)×Safety Factor(1.5) should
be considered the smallest tank volume which is filled
in the beginning. Here, we choose 1.5m3.
If tank volume larger than this value, rainwater
captured can be put into other use in addition to
toilet flush.
Month Balance Calculation
End of Month=End of Previous Month+Rainwater Captured this month-Water Used this month
In the case of ObjectID=15 building:
To ensure water supply, the lowest End of
Month Storage value(-2128.5m3) ×1.5 should
be considered the smallest tank volume which is
filled in the beginning. This value is wierd!!!
So for tall buildings with comparatively small roof area, rainwater cannot be the only
source for toilet flush water. Other source is water is still needed and rainwater harvest
system under such case acts more like a demonstration project.
Feasibility
•
•
•
Usually, a tank volume of 50m3(13,000gallon) is considered as the threshhold for feasibility.
For buildings occupy large area(>500m2), a tank volume of 100m3(26,000gallon) is
considered as the threshhold for feasibility.
For buildings occupy a very large area(>1000m2), a tank volume of 150m3(39,000gallon) is
considered as the threshhold for feasibility.
For those lacking
feasibility now, more
specific work is
needed when
checking rainwater
harvesting potential.
Conclusion
• Corpus Christi is enjoying steady population and economy growth
which may lead to more water consumption
• Reserviors for Corpus Christi is declining, meaning new source of
water is needed
• For buildings with large roof areas and fewer stories, rainwater
harvested has great potantial.
• For skyscrapers, rainwater might work for some specific use, or be
used above a certain floor which needs more detailed consideration
under given project.
Reference & Acknowledge
The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting, Texas Water Development Board,
Third Edition,2005,Autin, Texas
Nueces River Authority website http://www.nueces-ra.org/CP/CITY/day.php
USEPA WaterSense website http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/index.html
City of Corpus Christi website http://www.cctexas.com/
ArcGIS online basemap
CyberCity3D
Dr. Maidment, Dr. Tarboton and Dr. Kilic
All GIS in Water Resources classmates
Thank You !