Throughout the world communities are converting their plumbing systems into greywater systems to not only save money on their water bill, but to save the environment. At the University of Oregon, some renovations around campus are making this type of thinking a goal.
“Sustainability has been a main focus for the Student Rec Center Expansion User Group,” said Bryan Haunert, associate director of facilities at the recreation center, in an interview.
Currently the UO is pumping fresh water into the toilet bowls. Clean filtered water gets deposited into a waste stream that goes to the same place sink water and shower water go to be disinfected. Greywater is recycled water from various other sources, which is then collected and used for wastewater.
It was agreed that starting from scratch with a new aquatic facility that was much more energy-efficient was a great way to accomplish both. This meant that the current pool could serve a new purpose, according to Haunert.
Discussions regarding the current pool began and eventually led to a plan that the pool would be converted into a cistern, a tank that collects run-off rainwater from the roof. This water will then be utilized as the water flushed in the toilets throughout the facility.
“The current pool holds about 188,000 gallons of water, after the renovation it will hold close to 120,000 gallons,” Haunert said.
Since the first meetings of the Rec Center expansion in March 2011, one of the goals has been to showcase sustainability and technology achievement in a way that engages and educates the user.
It is estimated that the system will collect, treat and repurpose about 400,000 gallons of flushing water per year. This design also allows the ability to pump water into the cistern during the dry months to provide flushing water.
While it may not be on the forefront of students minds, some are receptive to the change.
“I think it’s a good idea,” sophomore Lucy Lyon said. ”The fact that they are preventing waste is great and they won’t be using drinking water that could be used for other purposes.”
The cost for the remodel of the pool is approximately $150,000. The system is expected to save the university $3,000 – $4,500 per year. Considering water rate increase and economic inflation, the cistern over the next 30 years could save the UO between $238,000 and $356,000, according to Haunert.
Another goal of the SRC expansion is to become 35 percent more efficient than the Oregon Energy Code requirements, the cistern is expected to play a significant role in that as well.