Wonk Tank Presentation 2017

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

CHRISTOPHER LÊ

W AT E R

FOREIGN POLICY

STUDENTS

image source: The Children are Waiting Organization

WHO 2006

59% A C C E S S T O A D E Q U AT E S A N I TAT I O N S Y S T E M S

16% ACCESS TO HOUSEHOLD W AT E R L I N E S source: Meeting the MDG Drinking Water and Sanitation Target: The Urban and Rural Challenge of the Decade

PROBLEMS INCLUDE: FUNDING KNOWLEDGE L A C K O F M AT E R I A L S QUALIFIED WORKERS

CONCEPTUAL SUPPORT

DESIGN SOLUTIONS

R A I N W AT E R COLLECTION INSTEAD OF P O TA B L E W AT E R FOR CLEANING & TOILET FLUSHING

image source: UN Photo / Evan Schneider

image source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NEW RAINWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM SUPERSTRUCTURE AS A METHOD TO TRANSITION FROM TEMPORARY TO PERMANENT HARVESTING GREYWATER Greywater is defined as gently used water collected that may contain traces of dirt and contaminants not suitable for sanitary handwashing or for consumption.

COMMUNITYBASED RESEARCH

Rainwater water collected and to be stored as greywater can be used to flush the toilets, providing a number of benefits: Ease dependency on chlorinated water supply Greywater storage tanks above toilet facilities will allow proper pressure during flushing Manual valve system can switch between greywater and chlorinated, should they run dry Rainwater can be collected through slanted roofs and channels over to storage without need of pumps This system was designed to be easily incorporated and even retrofitted to some existing schools. It requires minimal plumbing (even can use existing plumbing lines for half the system) and does not require any skilled labor to install or maintain. The only mechanical component is a valve that can just as easily be a manual valve, completely removing the need for electricity.

A diagram of a rainwater harvesting system that supplements a connected water supply. The featured system collects rainwater which is then stored and controlled by a valve, releasing the captured greywater for utility use in the latrine areas only when necessary (example: loss of imported water supply).

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US / FOREIGN POLICY PROGRAM PROPOSAL: N AT I O N A L L E V E L SERVICE / LEARNING PROGRAMS F O R H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N S T U D E N T S

COMPLIMENT WORK OF NGOS, NON-PROFITS, ETC C O M M U N I T Y- B A S E D R E S E A R C H : IDENTIFY PROBLEMS D E S I G N R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

HELP COMMUNITIES FROM WITHIN THEIR OWN COUNTRIES

RESOURCES CONTACTS FUNDING

OFFSET COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SERVICE / LEARNING

HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS ACADEMIC FREEDOM

NATIONAL PROGRAM SHOWCASE NATIONAL STUDENT POOL

image source: Deutsche Gesellschaft fĂźr Internationale Zusammenarbeit

US / FOREIGN POLICY PROGRAM PROPOSAL: N AT I O N A L L E V E L SERVICE / LEARNING PROGRAMS F O R H I G H E R E D U C AT I O N S T U D E N T S