Pentair Inc., a provider of sustainable water solutions, and its foundation announced a $175,000 grant to the WateReuse Research Foundation, a nonprofit organization that conducts and promotes applied research on the reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination of water. The grant funds two research projects that promote onsite water recycling systems and evaluate greywater treatments for more widespread adoption.
“Pentair and our foundation are committed to offering the communities in which we operate the knowledge and vehicles to reuse water,” said Susan Carter, manager, Pentair Foundation. “The WateReuse Research Foundation has demonstrated an expertise in water reuse and our communities’ future water needs, and we’re excited to collaborate with them. Providing sustainable solutions to meet the world’s growing need for clean, safe water is a high priority for Pentair.”
The first project, a $125,000 grant, will provide guidance for implementing water reuse in new buildings and developments to achieve sustainability goals. The project’s end result, a “guidance document,” will aim to arm developers and architects with effective methods to implement satellite water recycling systems for new and mixed-use developments. Satellite treatment systems, which are onsite, standalone technologies, harvest and treat rainwater and greywater--including wash water from sinks, showers and washing machines--and present one of the strongest growth opportunities for sustainable recycled water applications.
Reusing greywater can reduce the demand for municipally treated water by 30 to 60%. The findings will be shared with the U.S. Green Building Council and are applicable to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits.
Pentair has also granted $50,000 to the WateReuse Research Foundation to examine greywater treatment technologies in the United States. After evaluating raw and post-greywater treatment, the WateReuse Research Foundation anticipates that its research will help determine treatment reliability and success--and help assess the potential benefits of expanded treatment and use.
Both projects are underway and are expected to be completed at the end of 2010, with results available in 2011.
