Multi-functional structures feature underground water source, wastewater treatment within

As a green architecture training expert & fan, I love the fact the range of buildings' features can be so complete, from all energy & water needs met through renewables & surplus energy & water distributed to nearby structures to cover some or all of their needs, to waste water treatment inside building, to grey-water systems & almost anything else you could imagine. This is a wonderful water-purifying skyscraper designed for Jakarta that includes sustainable housing, replacing the slums now on the river. Some of its highlights are pumps that go from & to the currently polluted rivers to collect waste from, filter, & purify water, use it for the building, & also send clean water back to the rivers. It is mainly for Ciluwung

River

The waste is not wasted; it is for fertilizer to grow things back up on the river banks. Additional waste will be from the housing. This skyscraper is quite an intriguing idea.

This water tower would draw water from an underground aquifer. It is designed by H3AR for constructing in Sudan, resembling a baobab, the upside down tree from Savanah. In 2007, scientists discovered one of the largest underwater lakes in the world in Darfur. It includes a hospital, water storage center, food storage & a school.

The water pumps utilize water to heat & cool the building, as well as store it in large capacities in the core. It would be treated for potable use. The towers would be built using clay bricks, which would be made on site.

So that's two buildings that excite me with the possibilities.

Three of the main culprits in this water crisis are: plastic bottled water, agriculture, & personal waster of fresh water. The first two are debateable, the third is not.

Flushing a toilet is also flushing fresh water. I use grey-water to flush my toilet (grey-water is water from say a kitchen sink that was used to wash dishes; not drinkable). Letting the faucet run unecessarily. Not utilizing rain water. All of these things contribute to this crisis. Water is not even thought of by many people as a resource; it is just there, & plentiful right now, so why worry about it. Ignorance is bliss, eh

I'm not going to get into the plastic bottled water industry because it is tiresome, & I have already read a fair amount about it on here. So let's move on to agriculture.

Agriculture is a huge grey-area. We need water & food, & we need water to grow our food. Agriculture uses to much of the world's fresh water (70%), because of wasteful practices. Growing things naturally, in tune with nature, the way things were intended, uses much less water. We're so close to growing food on a large-scale in the afore shown vertical farming buildings, & with green roofs & walls. There's plenty of space to expand, chemicals & pesticides aren't really needed. Growing naturally everywhere that's currently not would cut down on a lot of water.

It takes 1,000tons of water to produce one ton of grain, while it takes 15,000tons of water to produce one ton of beef. Let's eat less or no meat.

Microbial fuel cells are cutting-edge technology that can convert things like plastic, food scraps & sewage into fresh water & clean energy. It is so cutting-edge its not ready yet. Boo. But it is being worked on, & the estimate on this site shows 20 million gallons of water saved a year watering 3,000cows. That's pretty damn good

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Microbial+fuel+cells:+converting+wast...

I believe with these types of multi-functional, especially water-conservation dedicated buildings above, & new products like the Nomix toilet we

http://www.inhabitat.com/2010/03/24/nomix-toilets-separate-waste-are-super-eco-friendly/

we are on the way to a future of conserving & seeing what a precious necessary resource water is...

I would like everyone to personally vow to do these things in an effort to avert the water crisis

-do not flush toilets with fresh water

-wash dishes by hand

-try to set up a rainwater catchement system if possible

-if you have a lawn, consider converting it to low-maintanence plants (ones that subsist off of mostly rain)

-don't purchase plastic bottled water; it is less healthy for you then even regular tap water, for one thing.

-etc..(any more ideas anyone?

will add a picture of my greywater later when I have time for all who were intereste...thanks