Green infrastructure (GI) stormwater control measures (SCMs), such as permeable pavement systems, are common practices used for controlling stormwater runoff. In this paper, two permeable pavement strips were studied to quantify their water quality performance. The quality monitoring was coupled with comprehensive rainfall analysis to investigate the effects of common rainfall characteristics on the quality performance of the systems. The pavements utilized deep aggregate layers to promote higher infiltration, and were installed in parking lanes of an urban neighborhood. Water quality samples were collected from upgradient stormwater runoff and from stormwater captured by the permeable pavements. In addition to total suspended solids (TSS), nutrients, and dissolved metals, this research also investigated bacterial contamination (Escherichia coli, E. coli). The results indicated that the two permeable pavement systems significantly reduced concentrations of TSS, E. coli, total phosphorus, and ammonia. The average reductions of TSS and E. coli between the two systems were 47% and 69%, respectively. It was also observed that pollutant loadings in the stormwater runoff, as well as pollutant reductions, were affected by the intensity of sampled rainfall events. Thus, it is suggested to consider the effects of rainfall characteristics when reporting the water quality benefits of stormwater GIs.

The public water systems (PWSs) across the U.S. utilize either groundwater, surface water, or groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI) resource, treating the source-water to applicable federal primary and secondary drinking water regulatory requirements and standards and, thus, distributing to residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial users. The PWSs in the U.S. are required by federal requirements—based on 40 CFR Part 141, Subpart O—to provide the annual water quality reports, consumer confidence reports (CCRs), to their customers. The source water quality, selected water treatment train, and the product drinking or potable water quality at distribution are critical elements of water supply, at all times. This presentation is focused and included (as feasible): a review of the Year 2016 CCRs on drinking water production and distribution in the fifty-three (53) capital cities of U.S. and territories and, a discussion of the data reported on source-water and product water quality parameters. The current presentation and reporting of CCRs have been observed to be not uniform and comprehensive. A recommendation is made toward preparing and providing the descriptions and data in the CCRs, as per the applicable requirements, in a uniform manner for the comprehensive understanding of stakeholders.

Community engagement through environmental education for the public is an important component in the link between individual citizens, their community, and local government agencies responsible for maintaining urban recreation and park areas. Streams and waterways passing through urban areas are often misunderstood by the public in terms of whether the waterway is natural, constructed, or a combination of both. Additionally, aspects of water quality or water pollution are often obscure to the community and there are limited means to provide direct information to the public. In any case, the public are often drawn to interact with urban streams through recreation activities or through environmental education interest. It is with this concept in mind that this project was formulated and realized through collaboration between the Louisville Metro Government Metro-Council, the local water supply utility Louisville Water Company (LWC), the local stormwater and sewerage agency Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD), and the University of Louisville (UL), Kentucky Institute for the Environment and Sustainable Development (KIESD). Project collaborators include Louisville Metro-Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh; Mr. Greg Heitzman, LWC/MSD; Mr. Daren Thompson, MSD; and UL personnel: Mr. Daniel Carter, Dr. Deborah Yoder-Himes, Ms. Ellen Briscoe, Mr. Jake Robertson; and Mr. Russell A. Barnett and Dr. David Wicks, KIESD. The pilot water treatment plant consists of filters, which uses sunlight for disinfection and naturally available materials in filters. Disinfection of water by exposing it to sunlight is an age old concept. Historically containers with water were left in sunlight for hours to make it potable. Though it was a religious practice in those days. It started attracting researchers from early 80s to develop sustainable water disinfection concepts for under developed communities. Most of the research studies developed systems which involves both thermal and optical inactivation of bacteria. Researchers are working on increasing the robustness of the systems by adopting different reflective surfaces and shapes of the reflectors. Water depth, suspended solids in water are the major factors which impact the penetration of sunlight. Reduction of suspended solids can be achieved either by sedimentation or filtration. Filters comprised of naturally available material can make the system more sustainable and less expensive. This project tests the optical disinfection capacity of sunlight. For this an open channel flow of water was adopted. Four filters were installed to reduce the amount of suspended particles entering into the solar disinfection system (SODIS). This pilot study was conducted using polluted urban stream water

Disinfection of water by exposure to sunlight is an age-old concept. Historically, as a religious practice, copper containers filled with water were left in sunlight for hours to make it potable. In the last century, a renewed interest to develop sustainable water disinfection concepts for under developed communities has been revived. Many research studies incorporate water treatment systems involving both thermal and optical inactivation of bacteria. Progress focuses on increasing the effectiveness of systems by adopting improved reflector surface materials and shapes. Water depth and suspended solids are primary factors which impact the penetration of sunlight. Reduction of suspended solids can be achieved either by sedimentation or filtration. Filters comprised of natural material can make the system sustainable and reduce costs. To investigate the performance of such a water treatment system, a pilot water treatment plant using no fossil fuels was designed and tested. The plant consists of filters using natural materials, solar panels to operate a pump for moving water from the source, a natural stream in a highly urbanized area to the plant, and reflector basins to gather and focus natural sunlight for disinfection (SODIS). A reflective circular-section open channel was adopted for optical disinfection by sunlight. The study indicates an inverse relation between flow rate and disinfection rates. The pre-disinfection filters contributed to a reduction in bacterial concentration of the resulting water, and this form of SODIS was successful in achieving the minimum 30-day average E. coli concentrations necessary for recreational water access.

This chapter provides details on electricity generation using solar radiation, solar disinfection, and incorporation of solar technologies into water and wastewater treatment. Two commonly used solar technologies are explored: solar photovoltaics (PV) for electricity to power homes and businesses and concentrating solar power (CSP) to provide electricity for large power stations. Unlike solar PV, solar thermal uses thermal (heat) energy in sunlight. Current scientific trends are investigated that take solar radiation to the next level of using solar PV and CSP for operating water and wastewater treatment systems or plants. Because some desalination technologies can be used for wastewater treatment, details are given regarding how incorporating solar technologies for power generation and utilizing the thermal energy from sunlight can reduce the usage of fossil fuel-generated electricity in wastewater treatment.