“Centralised water supply is often considered the optimal water supply system, since it provides the most convenient service. However, in 2008, only 57% of the global population got its drinking water from a large-scale piped connection in the user’s dwelling, plot, or yard. In developing regions, this percentage was only 49%, with a large disparity between urban (73% having access) and rural communities (31% having access) (UNICEF WHO 2011).”
Intermittent Water Distribution | SSWM
Executive Summary
“Intermittent water supply is a piped water supply service delivering water to users for less than 24 hours in one day, and is used when the available supply and/or the hydraulic capacities of the water supply system are too weak. Such systems are prevalent in many countries in the South, encouraged by low tariffs and investments, often in a will to optimise water and economic resources. Paradoxically, more water is needed for such systems due to high wastage. They also require heavy technical and human adjustments compared to continuous systems, thus causing additional costs. Moreover, intermittent supplies are a major inconvenience, mainly to the poor, and represent serious health risks. Efforts should therefore be made to move to continuous systems through technical, social and policy measures.”
RAINWATER HARVESTING: A RELIABLE, DECENTRALIZED WATER SUPPLY ALTERNATIVE – American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
“The nation’s drinking-water infrastructure is nearing the end of its useful life, according to the 2013 Report Card on America’s Infrastructure compiled by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Water Companies found:”
- 7 TRILLION gallons per day are wasted due to 240,000 water main breaks each year
- Over $1 TRILLION is needed over 10 years to repair water systems
- $39 billion needed in California alone; and $12.8 billion for Florida
Decentralized systems for potable water and the potential of membrane technology. – PubMed – NCBI
Abstract
“Decentralized drinking-water systems are an important element in the process of reaching the Millennium Development Goals, as centralized systems are often deficient or non-existent in developing and transition countries (DC and TC). Most water-quality problems are due to hygiene factors and pathogens. A range of decentralized systems is available to counter these problems, including thermal and/or UV methods, physical removal and chemical treatment. This review focuses on decentralized systems that treat the potable water (drinking and cooking) of a single household (point-of-use systems) or a community (small-scale systems). For application in DC and TC, important boundary conditions for decentralized systems include low costs, ease of use, sustainability, low maintenance and independence of utilities (energy sources). Although some low-cost systems are available, their application is limited by time-consuming daily operation and maintenance. Other systems are too expensive for the poor populations of DC and TC and in most cases do not fulfill the system requirements described above. Point-of-use systems based on membranes are commercially available and are designed to operate on tap pressure or gravity. Membrane systems are attractive since they provide an absolute barrier for pathogens and remove turbidity, thus increasing the palatability of the water. The costs of membrane have decreased rapidly during the last decades and therefore membrane systems have also become within reach for application in low-cost applications in DC and TC. Some membrane systems rely on gravity as a driving force, thereby avoiding the use of pumps and electricity. On the basis of the present literature data, no small-scale systems could be identified which meet all the requirements for successful implementation. Furthermore, in the available literature the performance of highly fouling water types has not been reported. For such cases, more extensive studies are required and a need for suitable pre-treatment was identified. It can be concluded that there are good prospects for decentralized systems based on membranes, but that a need exists for research and development of systems with low costs and low maintenance, specifically designed for DC and TC.”
Decentralized Drinking Water Supply – energypedia.info
“According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, about 7 million people die every year due to contaminated ground water. 1.4 billion people (more than one fifth of the world population) are affected by water shortage and do not have an adequate supply of potable drinking water. People living in remote rural areas or in a suburban housing scheme in developing countries are especially affected by water shortage.[1]“
Pumped Water Energy Storage – Google Search
Pumped Water Energy Storage Decentralized Water Storage – Google Search
Reserved Water Storage 