Greening Operations: Water
Wise water management means conservation. Through conservation efforts, BCIT has reduced total water consumption by
60%, but further conservation efforts are necessary, and economic.
The less water we use, the less wastewater we produce. Implementing grey water recycling (filtering and sanitizing water from taps for re-use in toilets) on just the Burnaby campus toilets could save BCIT $35,230/year.
It also means ensuring that wastewater is not tainted with materials toxic
to wildlife. Initiatives like the Burnaby campus
storm drain marking
program, and the
green roof technology research and education centre at Great Northern Way
Campus help balance water use at BCIT. However, as of 2009, all stormwater that leaves campus is untreated. Bio-filtration on-site
would reduce contaminants in our watersheds.
The total average rainfall on Burnaby campus built area is 444
million litres each year. In some conservation efforts, rainwater is captured and used so tap water can be conserved. The average amount of water delivered to Burnaby campus 208
million litres a year.
The energy required to deliver and treat our water adds up, and accounts for 0.02% (3.6 ha) of our total Ecological Footprint.
What we aspire to achieve: