In attempts to "Going Green", Let our lawn mowers contribute to environmental sustainability too! This research is in progress 2009-2010 in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Civil and environmental engineering, College of Engineering & Computer Science, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Portland State University.
Abstract
A large number of lawn mowers and related equipment must be cleaned each day by commercial landscaping operations as well as public park maintenance facilities, and state and local highway maintenance crews. Washing these devices produces wastewater that likely contain high amounts of organic matter and potentially problematic nutrients, as well as the residues of pesticides and herbicides, oil and grease and other chemicals that come from the machinery itself. The proposed project aims to better understand the amount and composition of this common but previously unexamined source of water pollution. Specific goals include development of accurate collection schemes to monitor the volume of waste produced at an actual washing facility, and measurement of relevant water quality parameters in the waste such as nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD, total solids, oil and grease. The results will be a critical step towards developing a sustainable low-energy system for treating such wastewater that could be used by private landscaping companies and government agencies.
