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