Homeowner seeks to make Old West Side house independent from city's water system
Shown above is a shot of the Grocoff's home as it was when it first was built, and a shot of house as it stands in 2013.
Courtesy of BLUElab team
Working with a team of engineering students from the University of Michigan, Grocoff hopes to find ways to collect, clean, purify and store enough water harvested on his property that he can unplug from the city’s water system.
It’s a goal, Grocoff said, that might not be possible.
“But it’s part of the larger question of finding a more complicated system of just having a centralized water treatment plant, a system we’ve used since the 1930s,” he said.
Ultimately, it could mean having a foot in both worlds — tapping into the city’s water system while at the same time of finding ways to capture and recycle water for daily use.
Unlike Grocoff’s net zero energy house where solar panels and other efficiencies produce all the energy his family needs, no one is claiming becoming net zero water is so easy. Grocoff and his wife, Kelly, restored their Old Folk Victorian house, making it the oldest net zero energy home in the country.
A mock-up of possible changes that could be made to the Grocoff house, including large tanks in the basement.
Courtesy of the BLUElab team
But capturing, cleaning and storing water is trickier than adding an array of solar panels to the roof of a house, said Steven Skerlos, professor of mechanical engineering and the faculty advisor for BLUElab, which stands for Better Living Using Engineering lab, the student organization working on the Grocoff project and an incubator for sustainable projects. “Between the time you capture water and use it, it can go bad.”
According to Grocoff, it’s time to find alternatives to an expensive and environmentally fragile municipal water system.
“Our current system won’t last beyond the life of my daughter, financially or ecologically," he said. "This house is just the beginning of the conversation.”
The BLUElab team is researching a number of ideas:
- Constructing a porous sidewalk that would act as the first filter for runoff water that would be captured underground, cleaned and stored.
- Collecting water that runs off the roof. This is complicated because most roofing materials, such as the asphalt shingles on Grocoff’s roof, are toxic. Students are studying rainfall data to determine how much water runs off the roof and its quality, said Devki Desai, the engineering doctoral student and team leader. “If, on average, you can collect 25 gallons a day from the roof and the average home uses 100 gallons a day per person, there’s a gap. You need to increase the catchment area and decrease use to shrink the gap.”
- A dual plumbing system could separate the gray water from the black water, Grocoff said. “We only need five to 15 gallons a day for drinking.”
- Storage is a challenge. With Michigan’s freezing winters, storage must be inside. But that consumes space. They are looking at building a system of round tanks in the basement, Desai said.
- They also are studying ways to filter and clean the water to potable standards, from an activated carbon system to resin filters.
- Compostable toilets, similar to ones at the U-M Dana Building, also are being considered.
- A number of ways to purify the water are being studied, Desai said, including UV rays, ceramic filters and using colloidal silver.
Implementation and construction are at least a year or two away, Desai said. Once her team has worked on the project and built prototypes, it will be up to Grocoff to find ways to finance the recommendations. “It would be hard to recover the costs,” Grocoff said. Water, after all, is relatively cheap to the individual homeowner. He hopes to convince manufacturers to use his house as a demonstration site to help defray costs.
The project will be registered with the Living Building Challenge, a certification program focused on the building industry.
The goal isn’t to return to an era of outhouses and hand-pumped wells, Grocoff said, even though his 1901 house had an outhouse in the yard, a hand-pumped well and a underground cistern. “I really want to emphasize that we don’t want to go back.”
Comments
Carolyn
Mon, Apr 15, 2013 : 4:01 p.m.
This has already been done by a biology professor at Colorado State University. He set up a tertiary watsewater treatment system on his own residential property.
Tesla
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 3:48 a.m.
Never be able to collect enough rainwater on that house especially with half of it taken up by the solar panels. What are the plans for the stored water? Chlorine? Aeration? You can't just let it sit in the tanks. I see it as completely feasible but not on that home. Now what do you do when we get a drought?
Steve Bean
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.
Why do you imagine that water couldn't be collected from the portion of roof covered by solar panels? The article explained that other details have yet to be worked out. That's the point of the project, which is in the early stages. Drought—whether short term or long—would be addressed by both efficient use and storage of a large quantity of water, as indicated by the basement tanks in the drawing.
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 3:47 a.m.
I am going to do the opposite. I'm going to use the water pressure from my bathtub to turn a generator and make my house electricity bill free!
Nicholas Urfe
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 1:29 p.m.
That's the best part - I'll be borrowing my neighbor's hose to power it.
motorcycleminer
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 10:40 a.m.
Water motors we in major use 100 years ago ..however @ the cost of H2o in Oz you'd go belly up in a hurry...
Mitch
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 3:07 a.m.
What is going to happen with all that hazardous waste when those panels begin to fail?
JRW
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 1:19 a.m.
Hexavalent chromium is present in municipal AA drinking water, with no attention by the city to determining safe levels. One report I read stated that since safe levels had not been determined at the federal level, no problem! Anyway, I hope he can find a good alternative to the city's water supply.
Tom Joad
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 12:50 a.m.
I too would welcome more in-depth coverage of the ongoing 1,4-dioxane clean-up efforts by Pall Corp (Gelman Sciences). A cursory search on Ann Arbor.com yields only articles from 2009 at the latest. It's been reported in other sources that Pall is not vigorously pursuing its clean-up obligations. This type of reporting of critical groundwater and drinking water supplies is crucial information for all Ann Arborites who rely on municipal drinking water.
demistify
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 12:49 a.m.
Building a third-world single-home water supply may be romantic, but it is definitely hazardous to health. It is hard enough to put the necessary safeguards on the scale of a municipal water system, and the equipment would not fit into a city lot. If there are miscalculations, the runoff will become a public health threat to the rest of us.
motorcycleminer
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 10:39 a.m.
If you calculate the energy needed to purify the runoff he'll be in negative numbers...but this is Oz afterall.....land of pixy dust and fairy caves
Kai Petainen
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 10:15 p.m.
interesting. why is there no mention of the 1,4 Dioxane carcinogenic plume in this article? it seems like it would be very important to this type of discussion. why does the Ann Arbor news continue to ignore the 1,4 Dioxane issue?
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:22 p.m.
Did anyone calculate how much energy was used in the production, installation and support of the solar panels? If this were the answer, we all would have had this style of solar panel decades ago. Let's not fall over in congratulations just yet. This type of conversion requires a lot of taxpayer support.
nickcarraweigh
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Oh sure, this is fine as far as small-time Quixotic ventures go, but I see no reason to stop here. If we need first-time outliers to invest time and trouble in saving water in a way that's a.) unnecessary here in the Great Lake state and b.) probably unhealthy and certainly illegal, why, then, we should look to leapfrog technology and not pursue merely incremental improvements. Let's let citizens engineer their own backyard NASA Mars launching pads, and make Ann Arbor the place where the sky's no limit at all.
oyxclean
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 4:07 p.m.
Wow, way to be short-sighted.
aanative
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 3:45 a.m.
Haters gotta hate.
Deb Burch
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:11 p.m.
I think it is a great idea and agree with the comment that even if you are only able to flush the toilet and water plants and the landscape it is one step in the right direction. Please send updates
snapshot
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 4:48 p.m.
In the tropics they use grooved limstone roofs to purify and collect rainwater in an underground cistern. Apparently limestone (I think it's limestone) has a purifying effect on water. Don't know how it would hold up in Michigan.
thehawk
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 3:16 p.m.
Even if he only generates enough water to flush toilets and water his lawn/garden, he's way ahead of the game. Everything he learns in this process is knowledge gained. Priceless.
Comment
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:32 p.m.
That is soooo special!
mike gatti
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 2:59 a.m.
Stay classy
DJB
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:24 p.m.
They get water off their roofs in Bermuda. But, the roof designs and weather are different out there. I can't see every household processing their own sewage on small city lots.
Betty
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:43 p.m.
I applaud the effort, Mr. Grocoff. I hope he learns something new that will benefit the community. I appreciate the conservative aspects of your endeavor: rugged individualism, personal responsibility, privately (not government) funded, independence from the various government utilities and conservation. You make me proud!
Tony Livingston
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
Don't assume that all of this is privately funded, Betty. There is grant money that paid for some of the work done on this house. This is not a project that the average homeowner could take on, financially.
DJBudSonic
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:43 p.m.
I applaud this decision, if only as an example for the future. Also, it is one way to get around the city's hidden waste water taxes. I would drive a well at my place, since I am across the river from the Pall-Gelman dioxin plume, but my understanding is that it is not allowed by the city. Plus, who knows for how long it would be useful, with no cleanup effort underway, that plume is moving pretty fast.
Vivienne Armentrout
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:40 p.m.
This is an interesting experiment and we should learn a lot from it. Matt Grocoff has shown us what can be done by pushing the envelope (and investing a lot of money) in energy. He is avoiding a couple of the obvious pitfalls. It is illegal to have either a septic field or a well in the city. This is not just city ordinance but also county and state laws. Because of the Pall-Gelman contamination, we are in a restricted zone and are not supposed to tap into the aquifer, even if we were allowed to by law for other reasons. This is too bad from the viewpoint of irrigation water. It would be nice if we could use the abundant groundwater in our area to keep gardens going instead of having to use treated water for that purpose.
Vivienne Armentrout
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 9:15 p.m.
Billy, please see http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/environmental_health/wells_septic/well_septic_pdf/eh_2008sewagereg.pdf (county regulations). Article II, Section 2:2: Where a municipal wastewater system for collection and disposal of wastewater is available, the utilization of such municipal wastewater system shall be required except as otherwise provided for in Part 127 of the Michigan Public Health Code. I wonder: perhaps you and your neighbors are not in the City of Ann Arbor, but in a township parcel that was allowed to join the Ann Arbor drinking water district. Scio Township has a rather large area that is connected to the city water supply. This is because of the history of the original Federal grant that helped establish the system.
Billy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 7:11 p.m.
"It is illegal to have either a septic field or a well in the city." Really? You should tell that to all my neighbors too....we all have both septic AND city sewer here. Got a well too but that isn't used....the septic field is.
snapshot
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 4:57 p.m.
I didn't get the impression he was going to disconnect from the sewer or install a well. I think the concept is focused on recycling, conservation, collection and storage of rain water. I'm pretty sure everyone is well versed on the laws and ordinances relating to water.
Dirty Mouth
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:28 p.m.
Couple of issues that might surface during the exploration of feasibility: 1. Too small of a lot to set up cistern to collect rain water. 2. Tapping into an aquifer (if it's even feasible) may expose the homeowner to lawsuits from the city, not to mention poisoned water supply from the Gelman Sciences' dioxin dump that occured in the mid-80s. All around a bad idea to attempt within city limits, suggest selling house and moving to the country. Best of luck.
GP
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:24 p.m.
Doesn't colloidal silver turn people blue? Also, does anyone know if this home is in the historical district where that poor couple was forced to tear down their fence because it didn't fit in?
Brad
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:41 p.m.
"Most commonly, this results in argyria (ahr-JIR-e-uh), a blue-gray discoloration of your skin, eyes, internal organs, nails and gums. While argyria doesn't pose a serious health problem, it can be a cosmetic concern because it doesn't go away when you stop taking silver products." So on the plus side you'll save $30 a month on your water bill, but on the minus side you'll permanently look like a smurf. Where do I sign up?
motorcycleminer
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.
I'd like to know how the hell he got a permit to put up those panels in the " old west side " normally you can't even drive a nail without going up before the tribune of the uninformed for permission...
beeswing
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
I've been before the HDC--believe everything you hear about them.
Macabre Sunset
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 8:18 p.m.
So, in other words, politically correct trumps historic, which trumps common sense. Got it.
uabchris
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:14 p.m.
The HDC also approved my solar panels and I am also in the Historic District.
croused
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:07 p.m.
@motorcycleminer - Actually Ann Arbor is progressive in that sense, they are promoting renewables and there are no restrictions on solar panels as long as they conform to roofline. The unfortunately thing is A2 has not provided solar easements to ensure that no one can build a building or grows a tree that blocks your sun and ruins your investment.
daytona084
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:28 p.m.
Yes I was wondering the same thing. How on earth did he convince the historic district enforcers that the solar roof is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood?
My2bits
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:09 p.m.
Unlike the fence guy, Matt applied for building permits, like they were both supposed to do. He did have to get Historic District Commission approval. And he was approved. Don't believe everything you hear about the HDC. The vast majority of applications get approved. The high profile denials seem to be when people are breaking multiple rules, like not pulling building permits and not obeying stop work orders, as was the case with the fence.
Twanders
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 1:09 p.m.
I was wondering the same thing! He must not be in the historic district.
Brad
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
That didn't work out so well on the "fence from hell".
Billy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission...
tdw
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:26 a.m.
Why can't a cistern and sceptic tank be used ? My grandparents got all their water from a tank that collected water that came off the roof.They did have to boil it first and at times when the tank was low relatives would bring city water in gallon milk jugs.This went on until the house ( several years after my grandmas death ) was torn down a few years ago.I should add that this was in the back hills of Tennessee and the ground was too rocky and the water was too deep for a well.And yes, they had electricity
tdw
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 8:44 p.m.
Oxy...actually I used a internet spell check.Looked correct to me
oyxclean
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 4:01 p.m.
Google is your friend.
Brad
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
Yes. In America we use "skeptic".
tdw
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 4:47 p.m.
arbornani....Is that the wrong spelling ? ( seriously )
arborani
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:19 p.m.
The trouble with sceptic tanks, they won't believe anything you tell them.
Joslyn at the U
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:16 a.m.
Ahhh hell drill a well
jns131
Sun, Apr 14, 2013 : 2:08 p.m.
I agree. A well would end his water dependency on the systems usage. Although Ann Arbor has denied using chemicals to keep pesky pests.
Billy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:43 a.m.
Is he any where near the Dioxane plume? I know the well on my property has long been unused BECAUSE of that specifically.
HappySenior
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.
I believe the "water bill" covers the cost of the water treatment plant, sewer maintenance and replacement, and related costs. There are costs for city water-coming-in and also water-going-out. I think an effort to reduce the use of city water-coming-in and the amount of rainfall going into the storm sewer is good. I think Mr. Grocoff will still see a water bill.
snapshot
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:01 p.m.
You got that right but still a pretty neat concept.
Billy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.
"According to Grocoff, it's time to find alternatives to an expensive and environmentally fragile municipal water system." "Water, after all, is relatively cheap to the individual homeowner." So which is it? Is our water system expensive....or is it "relatively cheap?"
a2citizen
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:53 p.m.
Municipal water is expensive. Individual home owner water is cheap.
snapshot
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:02 p.m.
Water isn't cheap or available on a worldwide basis. You should get out more, Billy.
Billy
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 11:08 a.m.
"It's a goal, Grocoff said, that might not be possible." DING!!! Not even CLOSE to possible there guy. Nice thought and all...but not even close to possible. Humans settle next to running water for a reason....
Tag
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 10:39 p.m.
Billy, people told the Wright Brothers they couldn't fly either. How's that working out for ya? ;-) LOL
snapshot
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 5:06 p.m.
Wow!
Nicholas Urfe
Sat, Apr 13, 2013 : 2:26 p.m.
Those who can, do. Those who can't sit back, and try and dictate limits to what others can accomplish. You would probably say his lack of an energy bill for the past two years is also "impossible", but it is a fact.