Sidwell Friends Middle School Natural Wastewater and Stormwater Treatment Reuse System

Aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly water infrastructure recycles wastewater and returns stormwater to the natural environment.

Sidwell Friends School is committed to practicing responsible environmental stewardship. Working with Kieran Timberlake Associates LLP, Andropogon Associates LTD, and JFW Project Management on a sustainable design for a new Middle School building, Biohabitats created wastewater and stormwater systems that are integrated into the schoolyard and entrance. The final designs helped the site earn LEED Platinum certification and an AlA COTE Top Ten award.

The stormwater system captures runoff from a green roof, directs it through a series of artistic flow forms to a pond. The flow form sculpture welcomes visitors and aerates the water to support a healthy ecosystem for pond plants and animals. The pond, with access steps, doubles as an outdoor classroom. A small recirculation pump sends water back to the flow form for continual treatment and appeal. As rainwater enters the system, the pond overflows into a beautiful floodplain that infiltrates water into the natural environment.

A 3,000 gallons-per-day wastewater system captures all wastewater from the building and cleans it through a series of natural treatment steps that mimic natural ecologies. Treatment components include a series of terraced constructed wetland cells, a trickling filter, a recirculating sand filter, and ultra violet (UV) disinfection, all tightly integrated into the building and site. This closed loop system recycles water for toilet flushing and use in cooling towers. Native and non-invasive adaptive plant varieties enhance local biodiversity and wildlife habitat. Biohabitats has continued to provide inspection and maintenance services to ensure the systems’ consistent and effective operation.

TAGS

• Analysis+Planning
• Assessment+Monitoring