Stormwater & Sewage Treatment Fact Sheet
Storm water systems at Dockside Green:
- Dockside Green will rely on naturalize water ponds and planting, such as creeks and ponds utilizing natural materials and plants, to clean and control storm water flows.
- Dockside Green’s green roofs will recycle water by directing overflow water into rain cisterns on each resident’s balcony, providing water for planters and houseplants. Water in excess of the cistern volume will be directed to the naturalized creeks and ponds on-site.
Sewage systems at Dockside Green:
- The most effective way of minimizing the cost of treating sewage is to specify appliances that reduce the amount of potable water utilized in a building.
- A traditional development would utilize 78 million gallons of potable water annually, utilizing base fixtures like 6 litre toilets.
- By using water-efficient fixtures such as dual flush toilets, 1.5 gpm showerheads, water efficient taps and high-efficiency dishwashers and washing machines, Dockside Green will reduce the annual use of potable water by 39.2 million gallons – a 56 per cent savings of potable water over the traditional model.
- The annual cost saving – for water alone – to Dockside Green residents through water-efficient fixtures is $152,000, compared to $302,000 using traditional fixtures. Residents will also benefit from an energy cost savings associated with the more efficient devices as energy needs for hot water is reduced.
- One hundred per cent of Dockside Green’s sewage will be treated on site. The treated sewage water will be used for flushing toilets in the building, for irrigation and for topping up ponds reducing the need for potable water on site.
- Excess treated water will be exported for sale to off-site customers such as industrial users.
- Sewage facility electrical operating costs will be reduced by 50 per cent due to a reduction in facility size and greater energy efficiency.
- In addition to water conservation, Dockside Green’s innovative approach to sewage results in an added environmental benefit of lower Co2 emissions, as heat will be recovered from the sewage treatment process to heat buildings.
- Because Dockside Green will be treating 100 per cent of its own sewage, the City of Victoria has waived municipal sewage charges. This along with the economic value of the treated water saves the residents on site $81,000 annually.
- The net result is the savings from the use of water efficient fixtures, the waiving of sewage charges, the value of treated water and potential sale of excess treated water means that residents will make money from sewage treatment as these savings exceed the operating costs of sewage treatment.
Once complete, the Dockside Green will be a community for approximately 2,500 people incorporating the very highest in green standards. It is a $600 million project that includes residential, live/work, hotel, retail, office, light industrial uses and numerous public amenities. It will comprise of 26 buildings totaling 1.3 million square feet, and will be built over 10 -12 years.
The vision for Dockside Green is for a socially vibrant, ecologically restorative, economically sound and just community. It will be a distinct collection of beautifully designed live, work, play and rest spaces designed to enhance the health and well being of both people and ecosystems, both now and in the future."
More information on Dockside Green may be found at www.docksidegreen.com.