Siphon roof drainage systems serve as an alternative to conventional gravity based roof drainage systems. They work on the principle of suction or siphoning – similar to liquid rising when sucking on a straw. System principles and how it differs from a conventional gravity based system Siphon drainage systems were first developed in Europe in… [Read More]
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Lawns, Law, and Sustainability
Lawns are considered a luxury in India, but they are an inherent part of a house’s open area in the United States. This open land and the house that sits on it may be owned by the homeowner, but there are still many regulations governing what can and cannot be grown in a home garden… [Read More]
Interpreting History: Annual Rainfall Trends
Detecting Climate Change Since the 1980’s, the United States’ government has seen a need for accurate and unbiased historical climate records. To meet that need and help detect regional climate change, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration developed a data set known as the United States Historical Climatology Network. This data consists of daily and… [Read More]
Water Quality Testing at Your Fingertips
Because water quality strongly impacts the health of you and your family, it is important to know the quality of the water used for domestic consumption. In the United States and elsewhere, drinking water can come from: a public supply system private sources from the household well In the United States, if water comes from… [Read More]
The Consequence of Global Warming: Coastal Flooding
Coastal flooding is rapidly emerging as one of the gravest consequences of global warming. The steady rise in global temperatures has triggered the melting of glacial and land ice, resulting in rising sea levels. The coastlines are the worst affected by this, and it may result in massive displacements in the coming years. Ironically, in… [Read More]
Trends in US Water Supply Demand
How much water does the United States of America consume on an annual basis? How has this changed over the last several decades? Which water source supplies the most water? Which sector demands the most water? The United States Geological Survey provides public data that helps us gain insight into consumption trends across the country…. [Read More]
Nitrates – Contamination, Impact, and Measures
What are Nitrates? Nitrates are chemical compounds containing nitrogen and oxygen. They’re found in a variety of natural and man-made sources. The latter significantly contributes to increased nitrate concentrations in ground water. Some of the major anthropogenic nitrate sources are sewage discharge, industrial effluents, and fertilizers. Nitrates are generally harmless, but consumption of high concentrations… [Read More]