2009 Best Essay
School: North Augusta Middle School
City: Jasaka
Team: Julia Spieker,
Kirstyn Denney,
Sarah Larabee
Teacher:B. R. Smith
Engineer: Michael Cercy
Jasaka
Jasaka employs the latest technology regarding our self-sufficient, self-sustaining home, garden, and city water usage. Our model residential unit is a single-family dwelling with a maximum capacity of seven people and is located on the Big Island of Hawaii where winds reach high speeds for our wind power systems. The homes are aerodynamically designed pods built at least ten feet off the ground in case water-related emergencies such as flash floods and tidal waves occur.
The landscaping of each unit includes mulch, minimal amounts of turf and an abundance of beautiful drought resistant plants native to the area. Plants are strategically placed so runoff from surrounding areas flows down to them. Additionally, a drip irrigation system connected to rain barrels has sensors to determine how much water the plants should receive and controllers that allow the water to be distributed.
Rain barrels and underground water basins are also connected to water filtration systems in each residential unit to produce potable water. Sand is placed over basins to purify water naturally but the water also passes through a state-of-the-art four-filter nanotech water purification system. Nanotechnology is used to rid filters of all unusable materials. Jasaka’s water system has nanoparticles cleaning three of the four filters. Harmful substances such as chlorine, lead, cysts, and Triholomethanes that were difficult to remove in the past are easily removed with nanotechnology.
The resulting potable water is used in various ways. Bath and kitchen fixtures use Diamond Seal Technology, a lead and leak free system that lasts longer than other brands and can save Jasaka 18,000 gallons of water a year by eliminating leaks. For example, when a faucet is turned off, a plastic cover inside is activated, eliminating leaks.
Gray water from showers and baths is transferred and used as toilet water. All toilets are composting types where evaporated water is transferred back to the unit filter through a vent system. The unwanted product is put in a sewer system and later used as fertilizer. This system is odor free and conserves water. A portion of the gray water is used for landscaping.
In systems of the past, many problems could occur including human errors, broken filters, and chemicals spills. If any of these problems were to occur today, a back-up system would be activated and no water from the broken system would reach the residents of that unit. Jasaka monitors the systems using electronic scanning sensors that send an analysis to a controller that is checked constantly reducing the threat of impurities. The electronic sensors are located in the extra fourth filter.
Another problem that could arise with this technology is a spill. The fourth filter does not contain any nanotechnology and is used to ensure that the chemicals in the nanotechnology are removed. If no problems arise the water passes through the fourth filter unchanged. PVC pipes eliminate lead, and the filters are self-cleaning using nanotechnology which eliminates human error. Advantages of the technology include no chemical water contact, lead-free water, and no human errors. These are problems that are prevented by Jasaka’s complete water system.
This phenomenal technology did not happen by accident. In present day systems, as in the past, mechanical engineers design and install the system. They make sure the water filtration system works efficiently and design pumps and valves. These are just a few of the roles of mechanical engineers in water filtration.
Chemical engineers also have various roles involving water filtration including designing parts that withstand chemicals, like a chlorine tolerant desalination membrane. Other roles include making sure water is getting cleaned efficiently without harming humans. Both jobs require knowledge in chemicals.
Thanks to our talented engineers, our residential water system is so efficient that an excess of water is often available. Excess water from the residential unit will return to the municipality for industrial uses. The water is returned using PVC pipes and is filtered as it moves to its destination. No water will be wasted in the municipal and residential units of Jasaka.
Bibliography
Cercy, Michael, Mark Tyrrell. “Conserving Water.” Interview. North Augusta Middle
School. North Augusta, SC, September 2008.
Hogan, Dan. “Chemical Engineers Call On Nanoparticles to Combat Polluted
Groundwater.” Nanotechnology-Cleaning Up Our Water. 2008. Science Daily.
September 2008.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0404-nanotechnology_cleaning_
up_our_water.htm
“Landscape Turf.” Players Choice Turf, lp. 2007. Players Choice Turf. 14 September 2008. http://playerschoiceturf.com/landscape.htm
“Top Ten Drinking Water Filters.” Water Filter Comparisons. 2008. Rutgers University.
7 September 2008. http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/water_filter_comparison.php?d=gp
WHO, ed. “Guidelines for drinking-water quality.” Who, 3rd ed.Geneva, 2004. September
2008, http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/cmp130704chap8
