Duke University
IN-2: Innovation 2

Water Reclamation Pond Initiative Duke has sustained a 30% decrease in potable water consumption since 2006, during which the campus grew by 1M GSF or 5%. Duke plans to continue prioritizing water conservation as it grows. Current efforts are underway in new construction, landscaping, storm water and utility plants to maximize reductions and efficiencies. One of the most innovative of the aforementioned efforts is the Water Reclamation Pond Initiative. The centralized chiller plants at the University serve over seven million gross square feet of facilities. The chiller plants are the single largest user of water on campus. Facilities Maintenance is working to both reduce consumption and to shift water sources from potable to alternative. After over a year in concept planning and design the Board of Trustees approved the construction of a water reclamation pond which will save and estimated 100 million gallons of potable water a year. The water will be pumped to the chiller plant and used in the cooling towers. The pond will also act as a cleaning device for 22% of campus storm water runoff. This helps Duke meet the standards for water quality. In addition the pond and adjacent site will serve as a research zone for wetland plant species and a campus amenity with walking trails and small amphitheater. The design is complete and the project is in permitting phase with an estimated start date of spring 2013.