Open Collections

Abstract

Capstone group 4 was tasked with designing a system to mitigate flood risks, improve rainwater quality, as well as reuse it for practical applications. This report outlines a fully designed rainwater collection and treatment system at the University of British Columbia, and the steps taken to reach the design. With an annual rainfall amount of approximately 5 billion liters, models were created to simulate storm conditions for a 100-year event. With these parameters in mind, the designed system includes five main components: Rainwater detention, sand filters, cisterns, bag filters, and UV disinfection. In combination with each other, they provide storage, filtration, and disinfection to meet potable treatment standards. The specifications of each component will be included in this document. For this system to be built and integrated, it was estimated that a total capital cost (CAPEX) would be $3.4 M CAD, and an estimated annual operational expenditure (OPEX) of $90,000 CAD. This system does not generate revenue and therefore does not have a payback period. Through an environmental assessment, it was determined that there would be a net positive impact due to reduced runoff and ecosystem growth. A hazard and risk assessment were conducted as well to identify and mitigate any potential problems. To fully integrate the design, a commissioning and startup plan was also created, outlining a plan for installation, construction, testing, and handover. This document includes a comprehensive overview of project engineering, design basis, stakeholder engagement, engineering drawings and justification, calculations, hazards, environmental, and economic assessments, as well as a commissioning and startup plan. Disclaimer: “UBC SEEDS provides students with the opportunity to share the findings of their studies, as well as their opinions, conclusions and recommendations with the UBC community. The reader should bear in mind that this is a student project/report and is not an official document of UBC. Furthermore readers should bear in mind that these reports may not reflect the current status of activities at UBC. We urge you to contact the research persons mentioned in a report or the SEEDS Coordinator about the current status of the subject matter of a project/report.”