Reclaimed Water System Scores Touchdown

Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, home to the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, is said to be the fi rst professional football stadium in the U.S. to achieve LEED Gold status.

The new San Francisco 49ers stadium, with more than twice the toilets as the old stadium, expects to save 42 million gal. of water/yr.

Right. A recycled-water pressure-booster system is a key component of the Levi’s Stadium system, ensuring adequate water is available when demand is at its highest, such as during halftime of a football game.

The $1.3-billion Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA, home to the National Football League’s San Francisco 49ers, is a model of sustainability, thanks in part, to a recycled-water pressure-booster system. In addition, the 68,500-seat stadium includes a wide variety of green features including a 27,000-sq.-ft green roof, owners’ suites decked out in reclaimed wood, and farm-to-table concession offerings.

From the outset of the project, the designers and developers wanted to make the stadium as efficient and sustainable as possible. That goal was realized on July 22, 2014, when Levi’s Stadium became the first professional football stadium in the U.S. to achieve USGBC LEED Gold status.

Thirty-nine points are required for Gold certification, and Levi’s Stadium earned 41 points to qualify. In the water-efficiency category the stadium earned received five out of five points, which demonstrates innovative efficiency in landscaping, water-use reduction, and wastewater technologies. This achievement was due, in part, to the design and use of a reclaimed water system for non-potable applications. From playing-field irrigation to the planted roof, toilets, and the cooling towers, 85% of the water used in Levi’s Stadium is recycled.

The stadium is not the first to use water-reuse technology, but the extensive use of the technology helped it also meet all of the evaluation criteria in the LEED innovation category. Although there are twice as many toilets in the new stadium as there were in Candlestick Park, the 49ers’ former stadium, the expectation is for significant water savings.

By eliminating the need to use fresh water to flush toilets and to irrigate the natural-grass field, planted roof, and other areas, the stadium makes use of readily available wastewater without tapping into freshwater supplies, which is of particular concern in drought-ridden California. According to stadium water-assessment estimates, the system will save more than 42 million gal. of water/yr.

The recycled-water pressure-booster system, a key component, was built by California Hydronics Corp. (CHC), Hayward, CA. It is driven by Bell & Gossett, Morton Grove, IL, pumps. The system ensures adequate water is available when demand is at its highest, such as during halftime at a football game.

Before the stadium was packed with fans, the water system was tested to ensure it could handle the level of demand likely during game day. The Super Flush was conducted in April 2014. During the test, hundreds of workers and volunteers simultaneously flushed every toilet and urinal and turned on every sink in the stadium for about fornia. By connecting to the water district’s recycling system, planners leveraged a drought-proof water source for the stadium’s flushing and irrigation systems.

The development and design of the recycled-water pressure-booster system was a collaboration among the equipment dealers, designers, engineers, and plumbing contractors. All of the Bell & Gossett products included in the stadium’s building systems were selected by Turner-Devcon, Milpitas, CA, which drafted design-development drawings and specifications, along with the support of M-E Engineers, Denver. Plumbing contractors California-based ACCO Engineered Systems and F.W. Spencer and Son, Brisbane, CA, completed the permit packages, which included the selection of Bell & Gossett centrifugal pumps and Goulds Water Technology e-SV multistage pumps for the recycled-water pressure-booster system. (Goulds and Bell & Gossett are Xylem Inc., Rye Brook, NY, brands.)

For the reclaimed- and potable-water systems there are two pressure zones due to the height of the structure. A single pressure zone to provide adequate pressure at the highest fixture would have caused the lowest fixture to have pressures in excess of 80 psi, the maximum allowed by code at any fixture.

CHC’s Ken Carey said this about the project, “Every detail regarding environmental sustainability was addressed during planning and construction. This project is a bellwether

for others to follow.”

“The system needed to be both innovative and high-performing,” said Kevin Coyne, vice president, F.W. Spencer. “Based on our successful history working with CHC, we

knew the Bell & Gossett products would deliver on both fronts.”

To ensure safety and compliance with quality assurance and quality control, city and stadium staff inspected every water fixture in the stadium for the presence and absence of recycled water and potable water, respectively.

A live dashboard at the stadium displays current energy measurements, water and air monitors, and other dynamic green features as the building operates daily, giving fans and 30 min. The recycled-water system handled the test with flying colors and on June 10, 2014, the stadium was connected to Santa Clara’s recycled-water utility.

The city of Santa Clara is known for having one of the most forward-thinking recycled-water programs in Calivisitors the opportunity to witness the sustainable efforts in action.

Want more information? The resources below are linked on our website and in our digital magazine at cbpmagazine. com/digital/julaug2015.

Circle 11 on the Reader Service Card.

Download brochures on Bell & Gossett products used in the project: • Rolairtrol air separator • 1510 pump (This pump has been redesigned as the e-1510.) • Series 60 inline pump • VSX split-case pump

The 49ers played the 2014 NFL season in their new home, and the stadium hosted myriad other events since it opened, including college and high school football games, soccer matches, concerts, and motocross events. The stadium is scheduled to host Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016, with a crowd of more than 70,000 people. That’s when the innovation and technology that went into making Levi’s Stadium the greenest in the country will be on display before a worldwide audience. CBP

EDITORS’ CHOICE

Valves for radiant, hydronic piping

ProPex valves:

Brass ball valves for radiant heating/cooling and hydronic piping Sizes from 1/2 to 2 in. Compatible with systems that contain 50% propylene glycol

ProPex brass ball valves for radiant heating/cooling and hydronic piping applications are code-listed, PEX-to-PEX, full-port valves. Available in sizes from 1/2 to 2 in., the valves are appropriate for non-potable PEX piping applications. Available in CAD and BIM design  les, valves are listed to ANSI/NSF 14 and cNSFus-rfh and tested to a wide variety of standards.  e valves are compatible with systems containing as much as 50% propylene glycol, have blow-out-proof stems, and are available with stem extension kits to accommodate as much as 2 in. of insulation in insulated piping applications. Valve ends use the company’s ProPex  tting system for expansion connections that cannot be dry  t and hold with as much as 1,000 lb. of radial force.

Uponor North America, Apple Valley, MN Circle 84 uponor.com

Above-fl oor shower pan An above-fl oor rough shower pan aids tub shower pan aids tub replacements with above-fl oor replacements with above-fl oor rough plumbing when relocating is not rough plumbing when relocating is not an option. The pan is designed so there is no an option. The pan is designed so there is no need to relocate drainpipes or X-ray the fl oor to need to relocate drainpipes or X-ray the fl oor to bury the piping, and is available with right or left drain bury the piping, and is available with right or left drain locations. A threshold of less than 6 in. aids safety concerns. locations. A threshold of less than 6 in. aids safety concerns. The pan is mold and mildew resistant. The pan is mold and mildew resistant.

Best Bath Systems, Caldwell, ID Circle 85 bestbath.com bestbath.com

Faucet collection Zoe faucet collection provides a minimalist, sculptural design. The collection includes single-lever, two-handle, and widespread basin-mounted models, as well as a singlelever, wall-mounted unit.

KWC America, Norcross, GA

Circle 86 kwcamerica.com

Contemporary bath collection Phase contemporary bath collection includes products such as a lavatory faucet, wall-mounted faucet, and Roman tub set. Clean and simple shapes anchor the collection, with slim lines for a variety of interior layouts. The brass products are available in polished chrome, brushed nickel, polished nickel, and olive bronze fi nishes.

Graff, Milwaukee Circle 87 graff-faucets.com

Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating

Suwanee, GA 800.433.4822 mitsubishipro.com/ready Circle 234

UV control panel A UV control panel automates monitoring UV-C wavelength feedback, safety, and effi cacy for FAUV-series UV light systems. The transparent ABS plastic control box features a front panel hour meter that displays real-time UV lamp life. A red light indicates system operational status. An amp current sensor sends an alarm if a lamp malfunctions.

Fresh-Aire UV, Jupiter, FL Circle 88 freshaireuv.com

Grab bars Kubic bath-accessory collection includes grab bars. ADA compliant and available in three fi nishes and fi ve lengths, the bars have softened, square-angled corners. Circular escutcheons conceal mounting hardware.

Ginger, Santa Ana, CA Circle 89 gingerco.com

Color options Advocate AV-series lavatory system, an all-in-one sink, faucet, and dual-sided hand dryer, is offered in ten additional color options. A range of whites, grays, and beiges is available.

Bradley Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI Circle 91 bradleycorp.com

Make the Solid Choice for Efficiency

Insulated Metal Panels Deliver

• Highest R-value per inch • Reduced potential for air, vapor, or moisture leaks • Complete walls in one step • Easy installation for faster occupancy • Low maintenance, high durability

Multi-zone heat pumps MXS 2-, 3-, and 4-port multi-zone heat pumps provide individual comfort for as many as four zones using a single outdoor condensing unit. The line has a greater maximum connected capacity than previous models, allowing indoor units of higher capacity to be connected. Maximum heating effi ciency is as much as 12.5 HHSPF; cooling performance is rated to 18.9 SEER.

Daikin North America, Houston Circle 90 daikincomfort.com

Insulated Metal Panels Single Element, Multiple Benefits

Learn more at insulatedmetalpanels.org

Packaged units York Sunline packaged units meet 2015 regional effi ciency standards. The 3- to 5-ton 14 SEER units use the same footprint and curb as prior models and use Simplicity SE controls. In addition to a built-in LCD display and standard temperature sensors, the controls provide wireless capabilities for start-up, commissioning, and monitoring.

Johnson Controls, Milwaukee Circle 92 york.com

Integrated pump, control LCSE split-coupled end suction pumps with integrated motor, drive, and control feature the MLE variable-speed motor in ranges from 3 to 30 hp in 3,500 rpm and 3 to 25 hp in 1,800 rpm. Available in 21 models, the system is said to provide energy savings of as much as 50%.

Grundfos Pumps Corp., Downers Grove, IL Circle 93 us.grundfos.com

Tile waterproofi ng Kemperol 022 solvent-free, cold-liquid applied, reinforced waterproofing membrane system for protecting indoor areas under ceramic tiles is a two-component resin system. Based on a liquid synthetic material that bonds with the substrate, the product is said to reliably seal into corners and around pipes and other penetrations, including irregular shapes. The self-fl ashing system is reinforced with Kemperol 500 fl eece and bridges 1 1/16-in. cracks and joints to 5/64 in.

Kemper System America, West Seneca, NY Circle 94 kempersystem.net