A Net Positive Water Case Study [bundle] - EcoBuilding · Case Study: Code Innovation Database ......

[bundle]design studio

The Birch House- A Net Positive Water Case Study

2016 Northwest Green ConferenceNorthwest Eco-Building Guild

[bundle]design studioResume + Services

Dan Welch, MArch LEED AP

2013 - current [bundle] design studio2007 - 2013 HKP architects2006 - 2007 Lamoureaux Architect2003 - 2007 University of British Columbia

[bundle] design studioComprehensive building designConstruction AdministrationEnvelope ConsultingEnergy Code ComplianceFeasibilityRainwater Catchment Design

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Net Positive Water - What

Net Positive Water - Why

The Living Building Challenge envisions a future whereby all developments are configured based on the carrying capacity of the site: harvesting sufficient water to meet the needs of a given population while respecting the natural hydrology of the land, the water needs of the ecosystem the site inhabits, and those of its neighbors. Indeed, water can be used and purified and then used again—and the cycle repeats.

Preserving the Water Cycle & Local Hydrology


Birch House

6 miles

2000’ x 75’ deep

5 mile

s

Bellingham Water Treatment Plant

Bellingham Waste Water Treatment Plant

Energy Conservation & Reduced InfrastructureWater and waste require enormous amounts of energy and a widely distributed in-frastructure to convey to and from sites.


Source SeparationSeparating flows at their source makes waste treatment easier and allows for nutri-ent reclamation.

This diagram does not include stormwater which should be considered in any net-positive water strategy.

Alsen & Jenssen 2005

Greywater + Urine Composting Toilets

Net Positive Water - Barriers

Barriers to Net-Positive Water

Regulatory- Multiple Jurisdictions, agencies, municipalitiesLack of an authoritative body with appropriate powers to operate, manage and regulate decentralized approaches.

Financial-Cost of site system developmentRequired municipal water & sewer connections (Bellingham = ~ $15,000)Transferring of costs & benefits from Utility to private sector

CulturalHistorical management of water (flush it away mentality)Education to prove and assure safety and effectiveness of decentralized systems

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CAPITAL COSTS EXPENSES REVENUE

Utility

New central treatment facilities

Water delivery infrastructure

Operations and maintenance

Insurance

User fees (rates and permits)

System development charges(utility connection fees)

New connections, repairs and rebuilds

Taxes

Costs, Expenses, and Revenue Shifted from the Utility to the Owner

Owner

Onsite treatment system

Dual plumbing

Collection systems

Operations and maintenance

Insurance

Reduced water use and discharge fees,

reduced permitting fees

Reduced connection fees

Repairs and rebuilds Grants/incentives

Net Positive Water

The Birch Case Study HouseAchieving Net-Zero water in a suburban single family development

Net Positive Water- Site Constraints

Suburban Development = low hanging fruit.

Net Positive Water- Strategies to Design

Comprehensive Design Process

Reduction

Efficiency

Recycle

ReuseDisposal

Priority PyramidFocus on the low hanging fruit first before moving to more complex solutions

Design process should include all elements that impact potential solutions Supply

Use Treatment

Net Positive Water- Systems

Rainwater Catchment Composting Toilets Greywater

Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Catchment System

Case Study: Code Innovation Database

Code Requirements:Revised Code of WA RCW 19.27.097 requires evi-dence of adequate water supply

Compliance Pathway:By getting County Dept. of Health approval for private rainwater catchment, they satisfied City of Belling-ham of adequate water supply, so did not require po-table water hookup. See Bellingham Municipal Code 15.08.020

Net Positive Water- Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater CatchmentDefinition: Rainwater harvesting is defined as water captured from a building’s roof surface.

Surface Water- water that touches the groundGreywater- water that has been used by occupants

Design GoalsConservation

Dry composting toiletsSuper low flow fixtures (1.5 gallon per minute max)Limited landscape water (nothing included in water budget)

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Net Positive Water- Rainwater Catchment Design

[bundle] Rainwater Catchment Water BudgetProject Name: Birch HouseOwner: Dan & Ashley Welch

Bellingham, WA [email protected]

DemandNumber of People 3Shower length (min) 5laundry loads per week(front loader)

3

Month Days People Showers1.5 gal/minper person

Bath Bath Faucet.5gal@2minper person

Kitchen Faucet1.5 gal@4minper person

Clothes Washer13gal/load

per household

Dishwasher8gal/cycle

(.7 cycle/day)per household

TOTAL

January 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695February 28 3 7.5 1 6 156.00 156.8 1531March 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695April 30 3 7.5 1 6 167.14 168 1640May 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695June 30 3 7.5 1 6 167.14 168 1640July 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695August 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695September 30 3 7.5 1 6 167.14 168 1640October 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695November 30 3 7.5 1 6 167.14 168 1640December 31 3 7.5 1 6 172.71 173.6 1695TOTAL 365 3 8212.5 1095 6570 5154.54 5180.97 19955




SupplyCatchment Footprint 986Runoff Coefficient 0.96Safety Factor 0.96max storage volume 10000

Month AverageRainfall

CatchmentFootprint

ConversionFactor

RunoffCoefficient

SafetyFactor

Total MonthlyPotential (US gal)

January 4.56 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 2582February 3.45 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1953March 3.02 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1710April 2.65 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1500May 2.16 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1223June 1.8 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1019July 1.24 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 702August 1.37 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 776September 1.83 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1036October 3.43 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 1942November 5.02 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 2842December 4.82 986 0.623 0.96 0.96 2729TOTAL 35.35 20012




Supply vs Demand

one time tank fill

Month IndoorDemand

OutdoorDemand

TotalDemand

Supply(gal)

StorageYear One

StorageYear Two

StorageYear Three

January 1695 1695 2582 10000 9620 9620February 1531 1531 1953 10000 10000 10000March 1695 1695 1710 10000 10000 10000April 1640 1640 1500 9860 9860 9860May 1695 1695 1223 9388 9388 9388June 1640 1640 1019 8767 8767 8767July 1695 1695 702 7774 7774 7774August 1695 1695 776 6855 6855 6855September 1640 1640 1036 6251 6251 6251October 1695 1695 1942 6498 6498 6498November 1640 1640 2842 7699 7699 7699December 1695 1695 2729 8733 8733 8733

19955 20012


Roof Plan


Rainwater Catchment Diagram


Net Positive Water- Rainwater Catchment Permitting

WHATCOM COUNTYHEALTH DEPARTMENT509 Girard StreetBellingham, WA 98225Phone (360) 778-6000

SECTION ONE – APPLICABILITY:Environmental Health approval of this form is NOT required if your building project:

Does not include plumbing for potable water, or;Is a residential remodel or addition, which does not add additional bedroom(s) or results in an increase in floor space of more than 50%, or;Is replacing a permitted building, which has been demolished or removed. You must take evidence of the existence of the previous building to Whatcom County Planning & Development Services for review. Replacement building cannot have more bedrooms or more than 50% greater floor space than the previous building to be considered under this exemption.

SECTION TWO – INSTRUCTIONS:Please read the attached information carefully for full instructions on how to proceed with obtaining rainwater catchment approval. Please submit this form and one copy of each document required to Whatcom County Health Department for review and approval. Please allow at least 1 week for the approval process. This information will be kept on file at the Environmental Health Division. The documents required are:

For Initial Building Permit Approval1. Water Availability Notification (this form)2. A site plan (8.5” x 11”, drawn to scale) showing all items listed in this packet3. Completed Rainwater Catchment Design Checklist (attached)4. Water treatment system schematic designed by a qualified individual or organization5. Evaluation of Alternative Sources (attached)6. Public Water Denial Form, if applicable (attached)7. Affidavit of Owner/Operator (signed, notarized, and recorded with the County Auditor)8. An Operation, Maintenance, and Monitoring plan for the water treatment systemFor Final Occupancy Approval (to be done after treatment system installation)9. Affidavit of Installer (signed, notarized, and recorded with the County Auditor)10. A final post-treatment water sample results (conducted by a certified laboratory) showing adequate removal of

contaminantsSECTION THREE – APPLICATION:

Applicant’s Name

Current Mailing address

City State Zip Phone or

Project Type (check one): Single Family Residence ADU

Tax Parcel Number (proposed home)

Proposed residence address

Notification: Email Call

Mail to

I certify that all required water sample analyses will be obtained from the proposed source.

Signature Print Name Date

APPROVALS:Initial (Building Permit)

Approved Denied Date

ByWhatcom County Health Department

Comments

Final (Occupancy)

Approved Denied Date

ByWhatcom County Health Department

Approval Expires

CommentsNothing in this approval shall be construed to vest the applicant to any right or permit, or to satisfying other applicable federal,state, or local statutes, ordinances or regulations.

WATER AVAILABILITY NOTIFICATION

PRIVATE – RAINWATER CATCHMENT

ATTACHMENT A – RAINWATER CATCHMENT WATER BUDGET Step 1 Number of users (minimum 2): ______________ Gallons per day/person: x _____________ (50g/person/day min, recommend 65)* Gallons per day: = _____________ (users x gpd/p=) *These values are for indoor water use. Outdoor water use needs to be added to this value, if necessary. Step 2 Gallons per day: ______________ (see total for Step 1) Days in residence/year: x _____________ Total water use per year = _____________ Step 3 Rainfall (see table): ______________ Water per sq. ft/inch of rain: x 0.623 ____ Gallons water/sq. ft/year: = _____________

The following rainfall values are taken from the Western Regional Climate Center www.wrcc.dri.edu

Blaine 41” Bellingham 35” Clearbrook 46” Glacier 61” Lake Whatcom 64” Marietta 32”

If you are designing based on a different rainfall amount or for a different location than those specified, justify the amount you are using.

Step 4 Total water use per year: ______________ (see total for Step 2) Gallons water/sq. ft/year: ÷ _____________ (see total for Step 3) Sq. ft. collection area needed: = _____________ (divide total water use by gallons

water/sq. ft./yr) Step 5 Days of storage needed: ______________ (90 days min.) Gallons required per day: x _____________ (see total for Step 1) Gallons of storage required: = _____________ (days of storage x gpd) REQUIRED COLLECTION AREA (roof sq. footage): ________ (see total for Step 4) REQUIRED STORAGE CAPACITY: ____________ (see total for Step 5) CERTIFICATION OF DESIGNER: I have carefully reviewed the requirements of the Whatcom County Health Department’s Water Availability Policy for design of rainwater catchment and treatment systems. The rainwater catchment and treatment system designed for the above building is in full compliance with the Health Department’s Water Availability Policy and effectively secures a potable water supply for the building. Designer (Print Name) Signature Date

__ (50g/person/day min, recommend 65)*

350150

15036554,75035

21.805

54,75021.8052,510

9015013,500

2,51013,500

REQUIRED COLLECTION AREA (roof sq. footage):________

REQUIRED STORAGE CAPACITY: ____________

2,510_______

13,500__________

Rainwater Catchment Permit

Net Positive Water- Rainwater Catchment Construction

Rainwater Catchment ConstructionLocation

Tanks should be protected from light. Underground/ shaded/ opaqueRoof should be in cleanest area possible to prevent build up of debris

Accessible Cleaning PlanDrains, filters and valves in areas easy to operate & clean

Freeze ProtectionTanks rarely freeze in Western Washington climateIf using wet conveyance provide a downspout drain

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Rainwater Catchment UseHigh Quality Water

All uses are potable including 2 hose bibs2 yard hydrants provide raw rainwater to the gardens

MaintenanceCleaning

Roof = 1/yearGutters = 3/year (start, mid, end of rainy season)Downspout filters = 3/monthTank = 1/ 5 years

FiltersSediment = 1/ 6 monthsUV Bulb = 1/year

Freeze ProtectionDrain valve during freezing weather with/ wet conveyance

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Net Positive Water- Rainwater Catchment Use

Waste Treatment(an out-dated term)

Conventional SystemsSeptic Tanks + Infiltration beds

Use soils to filter & treat effluent (adequate soils a must!) Combined water flows to include grey & black water Advanced systems- (sand mounds, glendon, biofilm)

**Washington State has few options to deviate from proprie-tary systems & registered product listings.**

The Birch Case Study House was permitted using:Washington State Water Conserving On-Site Wastewater Treatment SystemsWAC 246-272A On-Site Sewage Systems

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Net Positive Water- Waste Treatment

Composting Toilets

Net Positive Water- Composting Toilets

Composting ToiletsCase Study: Code Innovation Database

Code Requirements:Whatcom County Code Chapter 24.05 adopts by reference WA Administrative Code WAC 246-272A, which authorizes WA State Department of Health to set rules for the performance, application, installation and design of composting toilets. State rules do allow public domain site-built systems, but also say local code supersedes and allows. WCC 24.05.090 allows only proprietary systems on State approved list.

Compliance Pathway:Proposed site-built system conformed with Required Standards and Guidelines 337-016, Section A1(parts 1- (WA DOH), but County code required proprietary system listed in RS&G 337-024

Composting Toilets

Definition: Toilet system that collects human excrement and uses aerobic decomposition to break down waste in to humus.

Design GoalsSelf-contained unit for spatial requirements (in bathroom unit)Unit that would work for both new construction and retrofitsBatch System with/ urine diversion & remote aging

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Net Positive Water- Composting Toilet Design

Public Domain Composting Toilet

Net Positive Water- Composting Toilet Design

[bundle] Birch House

Public Domain Composting ToiletOwners & Installation Manual

[bundle] Birch House- Public Domain Composting Toilet Owners Manual 2[bundle] Birch House- Public Domain Composting Toilet Owners Manual 2

Technical Data

Elevations

Section

Specifi cationsMaterial:Wood construction. Fiber glass resin & epoxy paint fi nishDimensions:Ventilation pipe: 2” ABSUrine drain: 3/4” ABSCompost Vessel:5 gallon HDPE bucket with lid

Parts

Composter Housing Composting Vessel (4 total)

Aluminum Mounting Bracket

Stainless Steel Screws

Net Positive Water- Composting Toilet Permitting

PermitMany months trying to permit specific toilets

Separett- Manufactured in SwedenSite Built- RS&G from the Water Conserving OSS

http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/Pubs/337-016.pdfUltimately failed. Required to choose from List of Registered On-site Treatment & Distribution Products.

http://www.doh.wa.gov/portals/1/Documents/Pubs/337-024.pdf

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Net Positive Water- Composting Toilet Construction

Composting Toilet Construction

Most toilets off the Washington State List are plug and playVenting to exteriorUrine and leachate over flow drain to greywater plumbingNot well designed to easily install in modern residences

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Net Positive Water- Composting Toilet Use

Composting Toilet Use

User Review: Would you suggest this toilet to your friends& family? NODoes this composting toilet work? Yes. cooks at 100º continuous.Is compost finished when removed? NO. additional composting required.Is the toilet easy to use? NO. Difficult to maintain compost health with visitors/ pests

Greywater

Net Positive Water- Greywater System

Greywater SystemCase Study: Code Innovation Database

Code Requirements:Whatcom County Code Chapter 24.05 and WAC 246-272A regulate the location, design, installation, operation, maintenance, and monitoring of on-site sewage systems (local code has precedence)

Compliance Pathway:Code allows infiltration of greywater in on-site septic tank, following state rules for Water Conserving On-Site Wastewater Treatment (DOH #337-016), which allow it to be sized smaller than normal because they use waterless composting toilets (no blackwater)

Net Positive Water- Greywater System Design

Greywater System Design

Definition: Waste water (out dated term) generated from all use streams without fecal contamination, ie. toilets

Design GoalsIncorporate Earthship style south facing interior planter into contemporary Northwest housing typologyUse greywater to irrigate landscape. Orchard along driveway

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Interior Greywater PlanterR-20 insulation sides and bottomPoly liner 2’ pea gravelRecirculation pipingFilter Fabric2’ soil Plants & pavers

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Interior Greywater Planter

Greywater System Permit

Pathway: WA State Water Conserving On-Site Wastewater Treatment System WAC 246-272A On-Site Sewage Systems

Permit DesignProfessionally designed, Mike Moren, Aqueous Solutions PLLC (required)Design for Greywater Septic the same as combined wastewater but have a lower design volume and flows. Design dependant on adequate soils and depth to restrictive layerTypical permitting process. Hang up was limited to composting toilets

Interior PlanterBecause of location inside house falls under Building/Plumbing permitGreywater was not allowed by Building ServicesPlanter built as per design without greywater connection

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Net Positive Water- Permit

Net Positive Water- Permit

Site Conditions

Septic tank

Infiltration Beds

Restrictive layer

Net Positive Water- Construction

Greywater System Construction

Stormwater

Net Positive Water- Stormwater

Stormwater Features

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Dan Welch, MArch LEED APbundledesignstudio.com360.296.2657

The Birch HouseA Net Positive Water Case Study

A Net Positive Water Case Study [bundle] - EcoBuilding · Case Study: Code Innovation Database ......

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