High Performing Buildings - Spring 2008 - (Page 27) WA S T E A N D N U T R I E N T R E C YC L I N G The waste treatment system for this project eliminates the use of municipal potable water for sewage conveyance and treats 100% of the waste on-site in an ecological manner, without the use of chemicals. Except for a single foam flush toilet that uses only 3 oz. of foam per flush to discharge waste from the toilet bowl, all toilets and urinals are waterless. The foam flush toilet and the waterless toilets/urinals connect to four composting bins below. Compost, no longer being waste, can be used to enrich the soil in the vicinity of the building. Gray water generated from lavatories, water fountains, a mop sink and a shower is mixed with excess effluent compost tea liquid from the composting bins. Diluting the compost tea with large amounts of gray water allows more frequent irrigation than would be possible with undiluted tea. A 1,000 gallon septic tank filters out particles that may be suspended in the gray water. The water then goes through a 1,000 gallon dosing tank before entering the drip irrigation system. The system does not use chemicals or biocides. Typically, after separating solid waste from effluent, traditional septic systems distribute , p y nutrient-rich effluent into the soil below the roots of plants growing above the drain lines. The high-nutrient concentrations from the drain lines can leach downward and contaminate the groundwater. In contrast, the visitor center’s system of drip irrigation lines distributes the mixture of gray water and tea into a demonstration garden at a depth between 6 in. and 10 in. below the surface, where the plant roots can absorb and use the nutrients. The demonstration garden is the final component of a system that uses innovative collection and use of water and redefines the concept of waste. p Post-occupancy systems evaluations are currently underway. Not all building systems were fully operational and/or monitored when the building opened. As part of the building’s exhibits, an energy monitoring system was installed to provide a more accu- rate picture of the building’s energy consumption, photovoltaic production and water use. In January 2008, the system was partially running; however, communication problems between the building’s server and the vendor’s server slowed down data production. Spring 2008 Materials Primary considerations for building material selection were first cost and life-cycle cost economy; amount of recycled content and future recyclability; materials extracted and/or manufactured regionally; materials PERFORMING BUILDINGS 27 HIGH
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