Sustainable design through the twelve principles of green engineering

Sustainability and sustainable design have historically occurred as a portion of the project. Such as mitigating environment effects associated with water takes by ensuring no take reduces water flows b elow the 85% fish protection level or for treated effluent discharges all potential downstream effects are considered for example of soil and groundwater analysis and dispersion modelling.

Sustainability of the entire project from design through to con struction and operation is now con sidered a minimum requirement with focus being applied to how this is consistently achieved. While these specific project outcomes are targeted to achieving sustainable design the outcome tends to be sustainable design elements incorporated sporadically throughout the project as opposed to a holistic approach.

The 12 principles of green engineering have been developed by Anastas, P.T and Zimmerman, J.B to enable engineers to incorporate elements of sustainability throughout all areas of a project in a systematic and comprehensive approach. This paper discusses these 12 principles and outlines how these parameters can be implemented throughout the design process to optimize the sustainable outcomes of that design for the water and wastewater industry.