What WATER CYCLE sub-system is planning for further research?
During the first steps of our research, as a water cycle sub-system group in Texel Island, the following research questions were expressed:
Do we accept the ‘default traditional future’ of the water cycle system of Texel island, or do we strive to create our 'preferred future', keeping in mind the impact that our decisions we make today will have on future generations (considering 2065).
What water technologies and techniques can be applied, in order to convert the island in a sustainable place and simultaneously, to be able to provide its own drinking water in order to be self-sufficient and independent?
The further step was the detailing description of the current situation. Nevertheless, the whole research (literature and online), it was hard to find information on the current water distribution of the island. Hence, we tried to contact with the responsible companies, and more specific with the HHNK (Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, http://www.hhnk.nl) via direct calls. Although they helped us to create a clearer image of the current system, we consider that it will be even better to arrange a meeting with them. Thus, we are planning to arranged an appointment fir the 13th of January with sewage treatment plant Evertsekoog, the water cleaning facility on Texel, in order to be able to discuss with them face-to-face and to explain us in more detail how the system works (Despite several attempts in the last few days, we could not contact with someone of the treatment plant in order to arrange the appointment. We spoke to someone on Tuesday, who helped us with some additional information but we couldn’t arrange a meeting with him. The reception assured us, that the person we need will be available on Monday, so we have to wait till then to make an appointment. We will inform you later for more specific information related to our meeting). Through the direct observation on-site and interviews from people there, we will be able to gather accurate and detailing information and to find the missing figures of our current system getting more insight and documenting them. By gathering these data we will be able to convince that the current system is not sustainable and there is an emergency need of change.
During our literature research we have found a lot of methods to save- reduce, reuse, recycle and produce drinking and clean water, which could be applied to Texel. Some of them are more and some other less suitable in Texel case. For the design of our future design, some assumptions were made. Most of them are related to the current situation such as, the capacity of the current sewage system and some others have a more social character, related to local people and their general believes for sustainability (how important is for them? If they are willing to spend money and time, investing in sustainability etc.) Hence, by visiting the plant and speaking to people there but also, interviewing and asking (or even by using a short questionnaire) local (or tourists) we want to find out the feasibility of our design and to complete the puzzle of it.