Natural Resources
This section considers the natural resources required for a new College and how these can be managed sustainably to ensure there are resources available for future generations.
Minimising the impact of the college on Water resources
Water Supply
In order to lessen the demand on water resources from Municipal supplies it is considered more sustainable for water supply to come from natural site resources, this applies if the source does not require extensive treatment to be fit for consumption.
Questions to consider
- Is there a water source on site?
- Is this a suitable source?
- Could this be used as a sustainable source?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
VISION
Water Consumption
Water is a renewable resource, vital for life and the environment. Safeguarding resources and ensuring affordable supplies are essential for a sustainable development.
Water monitoring/metering facilities should be installed in the college along with a leak detection system.
Questions to consider
- Is there monitoring of water loss?
- Is there a plan to reduce water loss?
- Is the use of water being monitored through a suitable metering strategy?
- Has grey water or rainwater recycling or collection been considered on site?
- Is there leak detection equipment on all mains supplies? Does it have an audible detection system? Can it be adjusted to detect different flow rates?
- Is there proximity detection for all urinals and WC's?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN
Condition of water returned to water resource
Rainfall washing contaminates from hard surfaces and sewers can cause pollution of watercourses. Water returned to a river or watercourse should be equal to or better than the water abstracted; minimising adverse ecological impacts and human health and need for water treatment.
Questions to consider
- Are there acceptable levels of contaminants established?
- Are these monitored?
- Are these at a sustainable level?
- Is there any method of containment of runoff before it discharges to a water body?
At what design stage should this issue be considered?
DESIGN
Alternatives to fossil fuels should only be considered once all measures have been incorporated to reduce energy consumption.
Soil is an integral part of the environment, it is essential for the production of food and other crops, for maintaining biodiversity, for landscape, for its structural properties. Top soil should be protected, and where possible not taken off a site. All soil should be treated as a valuable resource and recycled on sites where possible.
Most sustainable would be a 100% reuse of existing building!
In order to extend the life of products, materials and buildings, refurbishment can be carried out; this is likely to be less labour intensive than producing a new product; where possible refurbishment should be maximised.
