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Groundwater Depletion: The Buried Problem

EPA Grant Number: SU833939
Title: Groundwater Depletion: The Buried Problem
Investigators: Bianco, Stephanie , Bradford, Anna , Kenney, John , Utschig-Samuels, Stephen , Zeise, Lea
Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison
EPA Project Officer: Nolt-Helms, Cynthia
Project Period: August 15, 2008 through August 14, 2009
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2008)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Water

Description:

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is developing a rain water catchment system for the newest wing of the UW-Hospital, the IRC. The UW-Hospital currently imports its irrigation water, at a great cost to the hospital and, more severely, Madison’s water table. The city of Madison currently uses 1.19 million gallons of water per day for irrigation purposes, with the University being the largest contributor. This issue is just an addition to the already pressing problem of Madison depleting it’s aquifer at twice the rate it is being replenished. These pressing crises are in need of action, which is why the implementation of rainwater catchment systems must be employed to combat the exhaustion of Madison’s water supply.

Objective:

The objective of this design is to use collected rainwater for irrigation while simultaneously working to recharge Madison’s aquifer by lessening the need to extract irrigation water from it.

Approach:

The UW-Madison team uses an integrated design technique in conjunction with public and private institutions. The rain water catchment system will be incorporated into existing structures and construction plans. Sustainable construction concepts will be implemented, all of which focus on the redirection and reuse of rainwater for irrigation as well as the reduction of storm water runoff into the nearby Lake Mendota.

Expected Results:

The predicted result is a measurable decrease in the amount of irrigation water used by the UW-Hospital and the city of Madison. Data collection systems will measure direct results of the catchment system and computer simulations will be used to predict figures required to expand the project to a much larger, more sustainable scale as well as the economic benefits for the surrounding area.

Supplemental Keywords:

water table, depletion, water collection, rainwater runoff, sustainable, catchment, aquifer, replenish,

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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