Project Overview

• Project Name: Swarthmore College Dining and Community Commons (Sharples Commons)
• Water Sources: Rainwater & Condensate
• Water Use: Toilet Flushing
• Projected Annual Water Savings: 247,600 gallons
• System Components:
• Wahaso RW-CL30-500 Processing Skid
• Self-cleaning filtration system
• 15,000-gallon primary storage vault
• Chlorine sanitation & BACnet integration

A Growing Need for Sustainable Water Management

Colleges and universities are among the largest consumers of water per capita in the U.S., using an estimated 60-150 gallons per student per day. With thousands of students, faculty, and staff on campus daily, institutional water use places a heavy demand on municipal water supplies.

• According to the EPA, higher education facilities use tens of millions of gallons annually, with bathroom flushing accounting for nearly 30% of indoor water use.
• A single cooling tower can lose 10,000–50,000 gallons daily through evaporation and blowdown.
• Rainwater harvesting and condensate reuse can reduce potable water demand by up to 80% for non-potable applications.

Swarthmore’s Dining and Community Commons is setting a new standard by incorporating a scalable, high-efficiency water harvesting system that diverts and reuses water that would otherwise be wasted.

Smart Water Harvesting Design: Maximizing Efficiency & ROI

The success of any water harvesting system begins with a comprehensive analysis of available water sources and intended uses.

For Sharples Commons, Wahaso conducted an in-depth evaluation to determine the optimal balance between rainwater and HVAC condensate recovery, ensuring maximum water savings while maintaining cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency. By selecting toilet flushing as the primary use, the system offsets a major portion of the building’s potable water consumption. The integration of a self-cleaning filtration system, chlorine sanitation, and a BACnet-connected control system further enhances efficiency and ensures seamless facility management. This tailored approach ensures a high return on investment (ROI) while advancing the College’s sustainability goals.

Commitment to Green Building Standards

Sharples Commons is designed to meet the Living Building Challenge Petal Certification v3.1, one of the most rigorous green building standards globally. The project features a 42,000-square-foot mass timber dining addition, utilizing sustainably harvested materials to reduce the building’s carbon footprint. A high-performance building envelope, combined with on-site renewable energy systems, enables the facility to produce at least 105% of its energy needs, achieving net-positive energy performance. Additionally, the design includes green roofs, terraces, bioretention areas, and a cistern for rainwater reuse, all contributing to sustainable stormwater management and enhancing the campus’s natural landscape.

*references – greenbuildingunited.org, langan.com

“This project exemplifies how sustainable water management can be seamlessly integrated into green building design,” said Alex Argento, Executive Vice President at Wahaso. “By capturing and reusing rainwater and HVAC condensate, Swarthmore is not only lowering operational costs but also significantly reducing the environmental impact of its facilities.”

Impact: Cost Savings & Environmental Benefits

• 247,600 gallons of potable water saved annually
• Lowered utility costs & long-term operational savings
• Reduction in municipal water demand
• Supports Living Building Challenge & LEED sustainability standards
• Automated system ensures minimal maintenance and maximum efficiency

Learn more about Wahaso’s Water Harvesting Systems for Colleges’, Universities and Schools

To learn more about Wahaso’s water harvesting solutions and how they can support your next green building project, Request a consultation today.

Contact Information

Alex A.
Manager
info@wahaso.com
800-580-5350

Sustainability and Compliance

Wahaso’s CT Recover system helps facilities meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements, including LEED v4 compliance.

For industrial facilities looking to enhance their cooling tower efficiency and sustainability, Wahaso’s Cooling Tower Reuse System provides a robust and innovative solution. Explore more about how Wahaso can transform your water management practices and our advanced water filtration technology, low-maintenance design, and scalability.