Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada

Parks Canada - Going Green Using and Conserving Water

Canadians consume an average of 390 litres a day each. This is the second highest water use per capita of all developed countries ( 1 ).

While over 80 percent of municipally supplied water in North America is used in buildings, less than one-fifth of one percent of our planet's water is accessible fresh water ( 2 ). Of that amount, only about 30 percent is potable water.

Fresh water is precious. This is especially true in the Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve where a dry ecosystem combines with a small land base to further rarify fresh water resources.

Keeping this in mind, a series of water conservation measures have been integrated in the design of the GINPR Operations Centre.

In addition to reducing potable water needs, the GINPR Operations Centre's water systems protect Tsehum Harbour by directing excess storm water through a sediment trap and an oil separator before being discharged into the ocean.

Recycling Rainwater

Underground rainwater storage tank
© Ron Kato, Larry McFarland Architects Limited (with permission) / 2006

Rainwater collected off the roof is directed to a 30,000 litre underground storage tank. This water is then utilized for flushing toilets and for wash water in the marine operations area. Water consumption calculations indicate that of the 347,624 litres of water which falls annually on the roof, up to 108,000 litres will be re-used.

Saving Potable Water

Through the use of rainwater, low flow water conserving faucets and dual flush toilets, the GINPR Operations Centre uses 60% less municipally treated potable water than other similar sized facilities. As an example, the 6/3 litre two button dual flush toilets have an average flush volume equivalent to just 3.8 litres. Compared with the traditional 11 litre single flush cistern, the technology has the potential to reduce water usage by up to 67%.

Sanitary Waste

By using rain water to flush the building's high efficiency, dual-flush toilets, the volume of potable water used for the conveyance of sanitary waste has been reduced by 98%.

New Planting

The garden area was designed with drought resistant plant species which do not require irrigation.

New planting around main entrance of building
© Franck Binard, Parks Canada / 2006

References:

• ¹ Public Works and Government Services Canada, An Architect's Guide for Sustainable Design of Office Buildings - 6. Building Water Use (Link to text)
• ²The Nature Conservancy's Sustainable Waters, Program Ecologically Sustainable Water Management (Link to text)

Related Links:

• Environment Canada - Freshwater Website - Quickfacts

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