Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Costs Associated with Water Delivery and Storage Systems
Having made the design decision on how water will be handled on your project, it is now possible
to analyze the various elements of the system related to resource costs. This includes not only actu-
al monetary expenditures but also labor, materials, and potentially governmental regulatory costs.
Four of the most common costs associated with water delivery systems are listed below:
• Developing the water source
Grading equipment
Water control gates and barriers
Earth-moving equipment if beyond scope of the grading equipment
Pumping supplies, including pumps, pipe, and valves
Appropriate governmental permits and clearances
Labor
Surveying of site to establish elevations
• Delivering the water
Grading for ditch system, canals, pond, and dikes
Labor
Tanks or other storage devices (if not pond)
Pumps
Electrical systems to operate pumps (if not electrically operated)
• Operating the system
Labor
Energy costs, electrical or fuel for pumps (if not electrical)
Water charge cost for commercial providers of potable, reclaimed, or agricultural
• Maintaining the system
Labor
Replacement of equipment and supplies
Equipment to recontour pond, canals, or ditches
Depending on the constraints and objectives of your project, many items may not occur in your
design. Simpler, in most cases, is generally better.
Natural Systems and Restoration Projects
Upland areas have different characteristics depending on their location in the overall topography
and watershed. Knowing the rainfall pattern and amount will be necessary to ensure that a site
will be permanent. Sites on flatter slopes and adjacent to watercourses but not directly flooded by
these courses may receive water by the rise and fall pattern of groundwater as it is influenced by
the watercourse. In extremely dry areas, the groundwater may originate primarily from the rainfall
and flooding events. The duration and intensity of these storms are critical to providing a reservoir
of water during the growing season so that plants can send root systems sufficiently deep to stay
Search WWH ::
Custom Search