Sustainability of Water Systems and Civil Engineering Education

Abstract

Sustainability of water systems and civil engineering education is critical for ensuring the future of water resources. Knowledge of the ability of current and future water transmission and distribution systems allow utilities to plan their most efficient systems for water availability, conservation (through proper pressurization), and water quality. Evaluation of diverse practices in water distribution network design allows comparison of best practices and avenues to improve current design practices. On a larger scale, regional models can predict the location and distribution of water into the future with various planning factors. All of these advances would be ineffectual without educating students in civil engineering on sustainable practices. This dissertation is comprised of three main studies on the sustainability of water systems and civil engineering education. First, the current water distribution design criteria are evaluated by analyzing a network in Tucson under several water performance metrics. Modifications to design methodologies and allowable system structures are assessed in terms of target water velocity, water quality and reliability. A Tucson area model comprises the second study. The Tucson area model represents mass balances for six sub-areas that are evaluated for future supply and demand scenarios. The model evaluates the impacts of future climate, population, and conservation approaches on water storage distribution and availability. The resulting system dynamics model allows utilities to examine possible futures and best preventative or sustainable measures. Lastly, the incorporation of sustainability within civil engineering education is compared among undergraduate civil engineering programs. The timing, method, and depth of coverage into sustainable topics are examined for Universities in the center of sustainable engineering consortium, an undergraduate only institution, and at the University of Arizona. The range of emphasis on sustainability and meeting the ABET criteria are evaluated.