Will my Greenwater Town Proposal save America?
Our water is hazardous. No city in America has an extensive water management plan to keep pollution from entering our precious water supply, which means our taps, our coffee, our baths and showers, our washing machines, our humidifiers, our lungs, and our bloodstreams are infected with polluted water. Clean water management is possible but controversial because it requires money and imagination, both of which our governments lack. However, it is possible. I have some suggestions in my Green Water Town Proposal.
According to the City of Carmel Engineering Department, more than 60% of water pollution comes from trash and litter. Following this, my first implementation would be that all drains that lead to underground stormwater passageways must include appropriately maintained filters. They would be hung from the inside of the storm drain and act like a coffee filter focusing on objects like trash and large debris that may have fallen during a storm. The public works of the specified municipality will check this filter once a week, ensuring the drain functions properly and is clear of any debris the filter may have caught. The filter will be made of sustainable mesh plastic that is 100% recycled plastic. It is crucial that this mesh will be cost-effective and will not cost the town anything to purchase these required filters.
Advanced Drainage Systems, or ADS, has already introduced a similar product. One of their fascinating products is their Flexstorm Lite model. The Flexstorm Lite is a steel frame made of 12 GA corrosion-resistant steel rated for 500 pounds independent of the storm drain already utilized in all towns. The steel frame supports a woven monofilament FX geotextile bag that achieves 82% filtration efficiency. Flexstorm also introduced a bypass system that once the bag is full of debris, water can still make its way through. Their systems are affordable for towns and cities looking to upgrade, and they can even be installed and maintained by one worker. This allows for efficiency to drastically improve while ensuring that harmful debris stay clear of our waterways.
This system will allow most trash and debris to stay clear of our waterways, though that is not all. Communication is a crucial factor that is lacking in our society. Creating a database of all stormwater drains will allow workers to ensure that all drains are properly maintained and frequently checked. All the drains will be entered into a database that all public work workers can access. Citizens of the town will also have access to the database, allowing them to report issues and guarantee that backups are not created.
From above, all buildings owned by the town are required to collect all rainwater on the rooftop. It does not matter what material is used, but the rooftop must have a successful system that covers at least 500 sq feet of the rooftop. The rainwater collected from the system will be directed into one large PVC pipe run into a separate custodial closet. This closet must be either at ground level or halfway in the building. The closet will have a wheel and filtration system spaced out properly. Using gravity, the water will fall from our collection system installed on the roof down the pipe, hitting the wheel. The filtration system must be able to filter all large debris and harmful pollutants. This filter will not have to pass the standards of drinking water, but it must be able to be used for things like watering plants or washing cars.
As demonstrated in Joe Malovich’s video, the force of the water will spin the wheel and generate electricity for the building to utilize. Although Malovich relies on pressurization to spin his turbine, we are more focused on gravity doing the work. Malovich proves that a system similar to his can be built and installed almost anywhere in the world.
Towns and cities should begin executing a program regarding rainwater harvesting systems. Suppose any residential or commercial building installs the system provided above will receive cost savings on their electric and water bills as the borough will not have to provide as many utilities.
If the town is located near an ocean, it must build a desalination facility. The desalination unit will process salty water into clean drinking water that may also be used for other activities. The desalination unit will be made out of all recycled metal, plastic, and other materials. The town must hold an event or fundraiser to help offset the initial cost of the facility. One hundred mini energy-producing stations must be put in the ocean each year until it can successfully offset all energy consumed by the desalination facility. The energy-producing stations will be the size of beacons currently residing within oceans.
They will be attached to the ocean floor and have a mechanism that allows them to bob up and down. When they bob up and down, it will generate electricity. It is up to the municipality whether all stations are linked and sent to the town or if the stations charge an onboard battery that will need to be checked and replaced with an empty charge battery once a week.
Ryan Ono, author of “What is wave energy?” backs up my proposal by introducing what exactly wave energy is.
“Waves are created when wind blows over the ocean, moving water molecules at its surface, creating ripples and, eventually, waves. Waves can then drive generators that produce electricity using devices called wave energy converters (WECs).”
WECs are put in the ocean and bob up and down on the surface of the ocean. As the cylinder is in motion, they use pistons, hydraulic rams, and electrical generators to produce electricity. Waves are constantly crashing on and offshore, ensuring wave energy is a stable renewable energy source, unlike solar and wind. While we make our way back to shore, we will focus our attention underground.
All stormwater pipes must be redirected to a facility within the municipality that will treat stormwater. Unlike the system on the town buildings that do not have to meet proper water drinking standards, this facility will have to meet these standards.
The facility will run entirely on renewable energy from our WECs implemented in our oceans. In case the WECs are slow on startup, the facility will utilize other renewable sources like wind and solar in case of extreme scenarios. It will also be able to process enough water no matter the rainstorm’s size or natural disaster. It will have state-of-the-art water tanks that will allow clean water storage for up to two weeks. Depending on the town’s size and the number of residents, more tanks may be needed.
Traditionally in wastewater management, facilities use chemicals to treat wastewater. Instead of relying on chemicals, the towns must use natural options like plants and bacteria to treat their water. These plants will be grown within the town and part of a community outreach program. The plants and bacteria will be grown sustainably and utilize the water that is processed from our rain collection systems implemented on our town buildings. This facility will be a crucial part of the town because it will allow for another water source without depleting nearby lakes and reservoirs.
My Green Water Town proposal does not include every aspect of a perfect stormwater management plan but proposes new ideas that have never been heard of before. Technology will never limit implementation. As years go on, science will continually improve and meet the needs in demand. My proposal focuses mainly on physical technology, so someone else will have to figure out government mandates and commercial investments. My Green Water Town proposal will allow a municipality to understand what an ideal system may look like and what the standards are to be the best in the country.
References
Advanced Drainage Systems – Pipe & Water Management Solutions. ADS Pipe. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://www.adspipe.com/
Ono, R. (2022, August 23). What is wave energy? Ocean Conservancy. Retrieved November 18, 2022, from https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2022/08/23/wave-energy/?ea.tracking.id=18HPXWJBXX&gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1OQSrKzixy77thqfAnq_a5foahm-v6a_nOBLmYLETjVW2kegnihVkhoCGt4QAvD_BwE
Water pollution what’s the problem with litter? – Indiana. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2022, from https://www.carmel.in.gov/home/showdocument?id=182
YouTube. (2020). Chasing 500 Watts, Big Pelton Turbine. YouTube. Retrieved November 13, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOgO8z71D0o&t=16s&ab_channel=JoeMalovich.
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Counterintuitive Fall 2022 
I would love to have feedback on my organization and clarity. Not really sure how I felt about this and feel like I missed the overall goal of a definition argument essay but I could be wrong.
I will provide feedback on this post shortly, BB. Before I do, please copy and paste the text into a second post under the name “Definition—BreakingBad.”
You’ll need that historical post for your Portfolio. It will not be revised. Revisions and feedback will take place on the Definition Rewrite post. When both the First and the Final Drafts are in your Portfolio, the differences will illustrate your progress.
Hi Professor, I already made a copy when I originally turned in my draft. I went ahead and put it into the right category.
There also wasn’t a category for this essay like the others
Thank you for that feedback. I’ve created the categories and placed your posts in them.
Maybe I’ll read it:
I’d better read this:
Helpful? Be neither wishy nor washy, please.
Yes, that opening is much better and definitely catches the readers eyes more. From this feedback, what should I do?
It’s just my first impression, BB. You can revise at any time, to any degree, and keep asking for more feedback. As long as this is still in Feedback Please, it’s my job to return for whatever help I can be.
Once I’ve provided all I want for a particular round of feedback, I’ll take your post OUT of the Feedback Please category and give your work a (new) grade. You’ll decide then how much additional revising to do, and when to stop.
Much of what you’ve written here would be more comfortable in a Causal Argument, BB. Take a look at all this causal language:
—stop pollution from entering our waterways.
—prevent harmful pollutants from staying out of our water systems.
—caused by stormwater runoff.
—water must go somewhere
—it picks up harmful pollutants
—affects the marine life
—management allows engineers to protect
—aspects of nature without disrupting it furthermore.
—Runoff is collected to avoid flooding
—Infrastructure brings stormwater to nearby water
—Aging infrastructure fails often, requiring replacement
—Population growth requires more robust systems
—Result: towns are executing green projects
—Green infrastructure reduces untreated water contamination
—Also manages stormwater better
—Enhances ecosystem and quality of life
—Overflow creates unhealthy situations
—Overflow backs up into water treatment plants
Mostly, this sort of “overlap” of Causal and Categorical argument is inevitable in an essay like yours, where systems and processes are the heart of the content. Guiding water through a series of steps is all Causal, right? This pipe moves water here; this filter eliminates that; this plant treats this sort of contamination, and so on. But you demonstrate the difference yourself about halfway through:
The Carmel paragraph comes close to meeting the style of a Definition Argument we discussed. It describes in part what an “Ideal Green Water Management Plan” would look like.
That paragraph should also include this additional feature of a good green plan:
Next, all stormwater drains within a street ( no parking lots) must include some aspect of nature. It is up to the municipality to decide whether a tree or a small flower garden is better suited for the area.
But then, you return to Causal claims:
—Green spaces result in healthy lifestyles
—Social spaces increase inclusion
—Greenery improves social life
And so on. I do understand it’s not always easy to tell the difference between Causal and Categorical when so many of the Categories are types of Cause/Effect relationships.
But I think that’s why it will be very beneficial to start your essay with a very clear and bold promise to enumerate the features of something you call (think “Carpentered Environment”) . . . what do you think? A “Greenwater Town”? A “Naturally-Filtered Town”? Whatever you call it, once you’ve named it, you’ll keep your readers’ focus on the features of the plan, with the goal of making your plan sound irresistible.
Agree with all your feedback, professor. My idea for the beginning paragraphs was to give the readers some terms I would frequently use in my paper. When writing, I also realized that my tone shifted, and I started designing my solutions. I also really like the idea of keeping the name “Greenwater Town.” Thank you again for such great feedback and I look forward to keeping working with you to substantially improve my definition argument.
Hi Professor, I have taken the time and revise my argument with your corrections in mind. I would like you to check to make sure I have eliminated all my causal claims that were originally here. I would also like feedback on improving my flow and a better conclusion, as I just threw one together. I understand this is a lot to ask for feedback on, so I would be fine with fixing one problem at a time. Thank you!
I would also like a regrade, please.
You can’t take an A yet for a draft this sketchy and preliminary, but there’s surely one available for you to grab with a good set of revisions, BB.
I appreciate all the feedback you have provided me. I will take all of it into consideration and start on my third draft.
I presume your storm drain filters look something like what NewPig calls Stormwater Filtration or the insert FlexStorm offers. You should be able to describe the filters with more detail and even indicate 1) that they exist, 2) that they’re affordable, 3) that a single worker can install and service them . . . .
https://www.newpig.com/stormwater-drain-protection/c/111?gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1Ko_W6oEkyc5zSHqkBSs6rwor-_0ZLCcv6lxKzRUo-5kQ2hWaJegmxoC8WAQAvD_BwE
https://www.adspipe.com/flexstorm?src=g&gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1ApENp2uA1e7_8Je6SAiHW_JC9UZuvd5MziMInQqSfaqi1vLBpIf0RoCHB0QAvD_BwE
I’m loving the overall approach of describing what a highly effective system looks like, BB. But since your work here so far lacks sources, it would be easy to dismiss as fully speculative instead of achievable. The more you can do to convince readers that the technology to achieve your mandates is already available or within reach, the more buy-in you’ll get for the plan.
Regarding rooftop rainwater collection, your mandate needs to expand to all buildings as soon as you can figure out a good legislative way to make that happen . . . OR, the government subsidizes the cost of installing systems so building owners can reap the cost savings of needing to buy less water.
https://greentumble.com/rooftop-rainwater-harvesting/
I keep including links to commercial sites because unlike academic studies, they provide evidence of existing technology.
This YouTube video is hard to get through because of the home hobbyist’s interest in everything besides the actual point of what he’s doing, but it does demonstrate that DIY knuckleheads can turn rooftop rainwater into electricity with a cheap commercial turbine.
Not sure what to make of your paragraph regarding nature at the storm drains. Is it possible you mean absorbent green spaces should be placed in areas where overflow or excess stormwater is likely to pool?
I like the synergy of the ocean to power desalinization.
Here’s a cool Ocean Water Temperature Difference model that doesn’t involve waves per se:
https://www.seasteading.org/clean-renewable-energy/?gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1JmxxnN3-EFhiEaVcRWyRNgOput27_OCU8DFAs4MV7fTaUmlCvD5_hoCVNAQAvD_BwE
Here’s the oscillating water column style that uses, as you suggest, floats that bob in the waves:
https://oceanconservancy.org/blog/2022/08/23/wave-energy/?ea.tracking.id=18HPXWJBXX&gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1OQSrKzixy77thqfAnq_a5foahm-v6a_nOBLmYLETjVW2kegnihVkhoCGt4QAvD_BwE
https://www.science.org.au/curious/technology-future/ocean-power#:~:text=Oscillating%20water%20columns,-Oscillating%20water%20columns&text=The%20movement%20of%20waves%20pushes,a%20generator%20to%20produce%20electricity.
There are also overtopping devices and attenuators:
https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/wave-energy2.htm
That last “content” paragraph seems to conflate a WHOLE LOT of issues that depend perhaps WAY TOO MUCH on the startup energy available from the waves. Does it apply also to inland towns?
I’m not asking you to solve all the problems of financing or legislating your program, BB. Models are aspirational, and you should acknowledge that. What you CAN argue is that technology will not limit implementation. Science will always improve and replicate to meet demand. Someone else will have to figure out what combination of government mandate / commercial investment will be needed to achieve all that CAN be done.
Your Conclusion already indicate you’re aware there will be hurdles, lots of resistance, daunting challenges and plenty of naysayers. It’s a good WAY to conclude: a rough draft, but well targeted.
Hi Professor, I have taken the time to revise and would like a regrade. You have the time, I would like more feedback to keep the ball rolling. Thank you
I love your new material and your rhetorical revisions, BB.
The only way you could improve this significantly now would be to run some real numbers on a variety of issues that seem pretty sketchy now. You may not want to invest that kind of time. I’m thinking of how much electricity 100 WECs would actually generate, and whether it would be enough to operate desalination. Same for the amount of hydro 500 feet of rooftop would generate, etc.
Regraded.