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The UBC Farm is currently looking for a sustainable solution to treat storm water, grey water and black water to be used for irrigation, fertigation, toilet flushing, sinks and food preparation purposes. This report assesses the suitability of implementing the Eco-Tek Solar Aquatics System into the UBC Farm so that it becomes a one of a kind regenerative building. The Eco-Tek Solar Aquatics System is evaluated using a triple bottom line assessment, which addressed the environmental, economic and social indicators. From an economic standpoint, the wastewater treatment system has energy requirements of approximately 200W/m³ with energy costs of $0.0177/m³. The operating and maintenance costs for the system are approximately $1.00/m³. The capital investment for the system has been estimated at $8000/m³ of reclaimed water. The expected lifespan of the system is greater than 40 years; however the pumps should be replaced after 15 years. In terms of the environmental indicators, the Eco-Tek Solar Aquatics System must minimize its chemical use with the exception of chlorine and lime (sodium bicarbonate). The system will integrate natural wetlands for use as a storage reservoir for the produced reclaimed water. Also, integrating a UV treatment aspect into the system reduces the risk of eutrophication. Regarding social indicators, the UBC Farm will provide an educational experience for students and staff by demonstrating how design and construction can improve ecological health. Ultimately, this project promotes sustainable development for household, commercial and institutional applications. As a result of the triple bottom line assessment, the Eco-Tek Solar Aquatics System proves to be an appropriate system for implementation at UBC Farm. The system meets satisfies contamination requirements and promotes sustainability, proving to be a viable option for the Farm. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.” |
