Hamden, CT – The engineers at Diversified Technology Consultants (DTC) used every green technology available to construct Bridgeport’s Fairchild Wheeler Multi-Magnet High School, the most environmentally friendly school in the state of Connecticut.
The roof alone features a green design with wind turbines and solar panels to generate renewable power, while a rainwater harvesting system, designed by DTC project engineer James Stenquist, CPD, LEED AP, leads runoff water to a 90,000 gallon cistern, which was built into the foundation of the building.
Located below the parking area, the collected water is treated then transported throughout the 300,000sf building to be used as flushing water.
“We use the International Plumbing Code, which would require approximately 3 million gallons of water per year usage. With all the water saving features, our design anticipates using 1.4 million gallons per year,” explained Stenquist.
In order to make it all possible, Stenquist collaborated with other DTC engineers in the areas of structure, civil, mechanical, electrical and plumbing during the planning and construction phases of the project.
The system was manufactured by Hamden-based Burt Process Equipment and is expected to gather nearly 2.7 million gallons of water annually. Low flow lavatories, sinks, showers, water closets and urinals were incorporated to achieve an overall 44% savings in water per year.
The school is expected to achieve LEED Gold certification.