Willow School: Campus Water Infrastructure

Wastewater treatment and reuse, stormwater management, and rain harvesting, put in place as part of a school's new water infrastructure, coincide with efforts to teach students the importance of sharing, respecting, and conserving nature's resources.

The Willow School, located on 34-acres of the New Jersey countryside, upholds a strong commitment to academic excellence. The school views sustainability as a key element in students’ relationships with the natural world and with each other. Children learn to share, respect, and conserve nature’s resources. The school’s buildings, landscape, curriculum, and programmatic advancements are creating a new generation of ecologically literate citizens.

Biohabitats helped the Willow School design sustainable water infrastructure that is in line with the school’s founding philosophies. Water infrastructure for the campus includes onsite wastewater treatment and reuse, stormwater management, and rain harvesting and reuse. Campus buildings have achieved LEED Gold, LEED Platinum,
and Living Building Challenge certifications.

Instead of merely reducing the impact of stormwater runoff, Biohabitats designed a system of vegetated swales and increased natural ground covers to recreate the original sponge-like character of the site. A detention pond with wetland plantings saved money and improved environmental performance significantly beyond the town ordinance. Rain is harvested and treated within two buildings and reused as a non-potable supply for toilet flushing. In addition, all human waste generated onsite is treated with an integrated natural treatment system. The treatment cycle is so effective that its effluent can be reused on site for irrigation and protective groundwater recharge. Biohabitats supports routine and preventative maintenance on the treatment and reuse system.

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• Design