MIT Civil Engineering 1.011 -- Project Evaluation Spring Term 2003Carl D. Martland Page 11.011 Project EvaluationCEE Projects andQuality of Life:Case StudiesCarl D. Martland1. Textile mills in Lowell and New England2. Chain of Rocks Water Treatment Plant, St Louis3. Sewerage Treatment in MilwaukeeQuality of Life: What is Involved?BasicsClean waterWaste removalFood & clothingShelterAvailability of jobsSafety, workload, long-term risksAestheticsAppearance of major buildingsActivities (cultural, spritual, sports, recreation) Quality of Life: How Measured?EssentialsAre we willing to pay what it will cost? or will we move elsewhere? or will we restrict growth?Will we be willing to pay if new technology offers cheaper solutions?Non-EssentialsWillingness to payPolitical decisions for public projectsPolitical quidelines for private projects (zoning, building codes, etc.)Comparison of CasesLowell St. Louis MilwaukeeDriving ForceTexti le TechnologyClean WaterReduce PollutionFinancing Private Public PublicResultQuality of Life in New CityAbility of City to Grow; Reduced Threats of DiseaseElimination of Nuisance & Threats of DiseaseLong-TermCompetition Reduces Arch. & Quality of Mill Life Modern Water Treatment in USIncreasing Environemental AwarenessTextiles in New EnglandTechnological MotivationDevelopment of power loom for textilesVastly cheaper process allows mass production & distribution of clothingVastly cheaper clothing allows individuals to buy more clothesNeed water power to run the loomsProject MotivationRI and MA introduced power loom to USMills must be located where there is water powerNeed people to move to where mills are locatedUS developers didn't want to repeat worst excesses of industrial revolution in England (working & living conditios)Lowell (1822 - 1880)Symbol of best of US industrialization - efficient, beautiful mills; pleasant living conditions; open space and parksOne of few sites that Dickens visited in trip to USExpansion Throughout New EnglandPhenomenally successful textile industryNew mills in Lowell and Lawrence, MANew mills in Blackstone Valley, MA and RIHighly profitable, which allowed:Stately buildings, classic towersExcellent housing & parksCompetition led to lower prices & profitsNeed to cut costs Larger, less aesthetically pleasing millsFill in open spaces with more housing or millsCut back on wages & amenities for workers (immigrant labor)Rising demandMore capacity neededMIT Civil Engineering 1.011 -- Project Evaluation Spring Term 2003Carl D. Martland Page 2Expansion to SouthNew technology - electric powerEliminate dependence on water powerAllow even larger millsInstitutional changesUnions in north fight for better work conditionsPopulation shiftsRapid growth in midwest and southSouth seen as preferred location for investment in textilesExpansion WorldwideGlobalization of the economyVery cheap transport (containers)Highly mobile capitalVery cheap skilled labor in developing countriesUbiquitous availability of electricityNew textile mills constructed outside of US near cheap laborDemand - cheaper clothing results in individuals owning many much more clothingWater Quality Examples: Chain of Rocks Water Purification Plant, St. LouisMotivationProvide clean water supplies for cityEliminate silt and sedimentEliminate bacteria - typhoid and cholera outbreaksMajor optionTreat available water (Mississippi River) vs. bringing in clean waterChain of Rocks Water Purification Plant (1829 to 1915)First "full treatment" water purification facility in USSettling tanks, sand filtration, & flocculation to remove sediments and pollutantsChemical disinfection (chlorine)Sewerage Treatment - MilwaukeeMotivationCity at confluence of 3 rivers flowing into bay of Lake MichiganCombined storm and sanitary drainage created increasing pollution as city grewPlanning and panels (1879, 1889, 1911)By 1911, problem viewed as health threat, not just aesthetics1913 - state created a "Sewerage Commission"Construct treatment plants1919-29 - Jones Island treatment plantFiltration to remove large solids; activated sludge to remove "virtually all remaining pollutants"Consolidation of sludge into fertilizerSouth Shore Plant - no longer created fertilizer because of concerns about safetyWater Quality - CommentsAwareness of problem and technical solutions evolved over a period of decadesNew technology was key to solutionAs immediate problems are solved, others emergeIs sludge safe to use as fertilizer?Can we limit water use via pricing so as to reduce required capacity?How much water is needed for consumption, for business, for agriculture?What happens to plant and aquatic life when effluent enters the water supply? and how can effects be mitigated?Water Quality - CommentsAwareness of problem and technical solutions evolved over a period of decadesNew technology was key to solutionAs immediate problems are solved, others emergeIs sludge safe to use as fertilizer?Can we limit water use via pricing so as to reduce required capacity?How much water is needed for consumption, for business, for agriculture?What happens to plant and aquatic life when effluent enters the water supply? and how can effects be
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