Sludge Watch ==> Ontario - certified Green Building - composting toilets

[Maureen Reilly]

Rainwater harvesting and composting toilets
As with the HVAC system, the water conservation technologies implemented at 
the centre are both innovative and effective. The combination of composting 
toilets (rarely used in offices) and waterless urinals means that the centre 
uses no water for wastewater conveyance. These technologies, together with 
low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout the building conserve 80 per cent of 
the potable indoor water normally used in a building of this size.

A pond supplies water for the nursery irrigation requirements. Rainwater is 
harvested from the roof and surface drainage and is sent to the pond, so no 
cistern is required for rainwater storage.

http://www.trca.on.ca/Website/TRCA/website.nsf/frmNewsArticleDisplay?OpenForm&NoteID=NT0001A1E6

Toronto Region Conservation Authority
Ph: (416) 661-6600
Fax: (416) 661-6898 Email: info at trca.on.ca


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Daily News Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Ontario's first platinum certified Green Building



Sustainable building

Toronto and Region Conservation's (TRCA) new Restoration Services Centre has 
been awarded the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 
(LEED) Platinum certification by the Canada Green Building Council for its 
innovative sustainability features. This is the highest-level of 
environmental certification available and a first for an Ontario building.

Currently there are only four other structures in Canada with the LEED 
Platinum designation. TRCA's building was awarded 56 LEED points, the second 
highest score among all four buildings to date (NOTE: this statement is only 
true as of the date of certification).

The two-storey,1095-sq. metre building serves as a showcase of sustainable 
design and houses staff from the TRCA's Restoration Services and Parks & 
Facilities Divisions in support of TRCA's resource management, archaeology 
and conservation area recreation programs.

"The Restoration Services Building is a physical testament to the progress 
we are making in creating a fully sustainable Living City ," says Dave 
Rogalsky, Manager -- Resource Management Projects for TRCA. "We are also 
proud to say this achievement has generated interest from international 
groups to build similar structures and sets a benchmark for future LEED 
certified buildings in Ontario , across the country and around the world."

LEED is the most reputable rating protocol in North America . Buildings are 
judged on the basis of numerous criteria and rated as one of four levels -- 
certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum. LEED credits are awarded for meeting 
specific requirements in key categories including sustainable sites, water 
efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor 
environmental quality and innovation and design that is expected to deliver 
57 per cent in energy savings. Features that earned TRCA the Platinum 
certification include:

Reducing indoor potable water-use by 80 per cent through composting toilets, 
waterless urinals and low-flow faucets;

Optimizing energy cost performance by using ground-source heat pumps and 
heat recovery ventilators to reclaim the heat of the air being exhausted, 
transferring it to the incoming fresh air stream; and

The use of recycled materials including reclaimed brick, recycled crushed 
concrete instead of asphalt and materials with a high recycled content.

The building was a collaborative project between TRCA, Montgomery Sisam 
Architects, Enermodal Engineering mechanical and electrical engineers, 
Percon Construction Inc. and LEED consultants that began April 2006. The 
incremental cost to construct the environmentally friendly building was 9.3 
per cent more than it would have been to develop a non-environmental 
structure.

"Inspired by TRCA's vision for The Living City™ -- where human settlement 
can flourish forever as part of nature's beauty and diversity, the building 
has been designed to have a symbiotic relationship with its natural 
surroundings," said Santiago Künzle, architect with Montgomery Sisam 
Architects. "The building harvests natural light and ventilation, geothermal 
energy and directs all rain water to replenish wetlands that provide habitat 
for birds, turtles and insects. The design focuses on using simple, low-cost 
solutions to drive high performance sustainability outcomes while creating a 
comfortable and inspiring environment for the client. Superior indoor 
environment quality is achieved through extensive natural light and 
ventilation, low emitting finishes and low velocity fresh air supply."