The Vancouver Airport Authority set a goal of 30% reduction, from 2012 levels, in Sea Island’s potable water consumption by 2020. Associated Engineering, 2020 Engineering, and Local Practice were engaged to assist the Airport Authority in this goal for their CORE Program, involving several terminal infrastructure improvements. Integration of a rainwater collection system into the CORE program helps the Airport Authority meet their commitment to excellence in safety, security, and environmental management.
The Vancouver Airport Authority has extensive sustainability goals that require a holistic problem solving approach, considering not only the technical requirements of each unique site, but the larger vision of long term water conservation and environmental stewardship. This project was an AE-led, holistically integrated team of experts on sustainability, water conservation and reuse, civil infrastructure and water treatment systems.
This assignment required a robust process of stakeholder engagement, a comprehensive identification of requirements, an assessment of opportunities and a conceptual approach for water and rainwater management. The chosen rainwater harvesting system will initially collect 33,000 m3 per year of rainwater, provide a constant 4000 m3 in fire protection reserve storage and provide 84% of the car washing water demand. The system has the capacity to reduce municipal water used for the CORE Program's total non-potable demands by 34%. The system provides the potential to increase resilience and report significant water savings in a targeted strategy to showcase leadership and results towards sustainability at YVR.