NET-ZERO WATER INITIATIVE

With the redevelopment of the center of the YWAM Montana Campus, there are many opportunities to address stormwater in an efficient, sustainable way. Throughout the lifetime of this campus, stormwater runoff has always been a concern. With freezing winters and massive snowloads melting in the spring, the site becomes unmanageable and dangerous. Water runs through the surface of the site, eroding the landscape as it makes its way into Stoner Creek. When temperatures drop in the night, the surface water freezes and creates hazardous sheets of ice in the morning. The primary goal of this initiative is to analyze and implement strategies for capturing stormwater for reuse and/or guiding the water to be retained underground. The strategies in this analysis aim to not only resolve the issues in the Winter and Spring, but also in the Summer, when draughts are common.

Slight modifications to the existing plumbing fixtures and the capturing of rainwater instead of diverting it into the storm lines, results in the new Readiness Center in being able to become self-sufficient when it comes to water supply. Furthermore, the strategies for capturing rainwater and reducing fixture flows results in an abundance of water that can be used by various other buildings on campus, reducing the yearly water use not just in the new building but throughout Campus.