This book expands the body of scientific knowledge on research and solutions for alternative water systems. It addresses a wide variety of water management issues in buildings, ranging from the technical possibilities, hydraulic and financial efficiency, and public acceptance of decentralized water systems, to their impact on sewage systems. Climate changes, population growth, and progressive urbanization are the main causes of the growing interest in alternative sources of water around the world. Decentralized systems are seen not only as solutions that can effectively save water, but also as systems that can operate partially or completely independently of centralized suppliers. With these aspects in mind, the main focus of this book is on showcasing a new approach to water management at the building scale. The findings and insights presented here will support the development of future technical guidelines for using alternative water systems in urban areas - an aspect that is particularly important since, in many European countries, these systems are only very rarely used.

Autorentext

Agnieszka Stec is an assistant professor in the Department of Infrastructure and Water Management in the Faculty of Civil, Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology. She is the author of more than 60 scientific publications for both national and international periodicals. The author and co-author of 2 published books as well as 6 patents and patent applications. Repeated medal recipient at the World Exhibition on Innovation, among others, in Seoul, Geneva, Brussels, and Moscow; as well as awards from university rectors and the Minister of Science and Higher Education. Her scientific interests include: the modeling of urban sewage systems, innovative devices and facilities for water and sewage management, the financial analysis of investment undertakings, sustainable rainwater management, as well as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems. She is participating in research as well as professional projects.

Inhalt
1.Introduction.- 2.Water resources in Europe.- 3.Demand for water in the building.- 4.Alternative water sources.- 4.1.Rainwater harvesting- 4.1.1.The characteristics of rainwater.- 4.1.2.Technical aspects of the use of rainwater.- 4.2.Greywater recycling.- 4.2.1.The characteristics of greywater.- 4.2.2.Greywater recycling systems.- 5.Research on the effectiveness of systems with alternative water sources for buildings located in selected European countries.- 5.1.Simulation model of the rainwater harvesting system.- 5.1.1.The impact of model parameters on system efficiency (location of rainwater system: selected European countries, water demand, tank capacity, roof area size, number of inhabitants).- 5.2.Mathematical model of the greywater recycling system.- 5.2.1.The impact of model parameters on system efficiency (number of inhabitants, water demand).- 6.Research on the financial effectiveness of alternative water supply systems in European countries.- 6.1.Variants of sustainable water management in buildin.- 6.2.Life Cycle Cost methodology.- 6.3.Analysis results.- 6.3.1.The impact of life spain.- 6.3.2.The impact of discounted rate.- 6.3.3.The impact of co-financing.- 6.4.Sensitivity analysis.- 7.The impact of rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems on sewage systems and the environment.- 8.Public perceptions of water shortages, conservation behaviors and possibilities of using alternatives water sources in buildings in European countries.- 8.1.Description of the research methodology.- 8.2.Survey results and their analysis.- 9.Summary and final conclusions.