We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

logo
  • Engineers & Specifiers
  • Contractors & Installers
  • Wholesalers & Distributors
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Subscription
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • PRODUCTS
    • Bath & Kitchen
    • Fire Protection
    • HVAC
    • Hydronics/Radiant
    • Plumbing
    • PVF
    • Tools
  • PROJECTS
    • Commercial
    • Green Building
    • MRO/Retrofit
    • Remodeling
    • Residential
  • HOW TO
    • Design
    • Fire Protection
    • Legal Matters
    • Management
  • BUSINESS
    • Buying Groups
    • Technology
    • Associations
  • CODES & STANDARDS
    • ANSI
    • ASHRAE
    • ASSE
    • Regulations
    • Green Building
    • IAPMO
    • ICC
    • NFPA
  • RESOURCES
    • Media Kit
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Classifieds
    • Digital Editions
    • Behind the Wall
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • DIGITAL EDITIONS
Home » Levi's Stadium sets standard for conserving natural resources

Levi's Stadium sets standard for conserving natural resources

January 5, 2015
No Comments

The $1.3 billion Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., is home to the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and a model of sustainability. Its 27,000-square-foot green roof and owners suites are decked out in reclaimed wood, and its farm-to-table concessions offerings are top notch. But none of the green features are more crucial to operations than the use of recycled water for the flushing and irrigation systems.

Up to 85 percent of all water use in the 68,500-seat stadium will be from recycled water used for toilet flushing and playing field and green roof irrigation. The recycled-water pressure booster system built by California Hydronics Corp. (CHC) using Xylem’s Bell & Gossett brand products, taps into the Santa Clara Valley Water District water recycling system. This eliminates the need to use freshwater to flush toilets and to irrigate the natural grass field, green roof and other areas, which is of particular concern in drought-ridden California.

"A recycled-water pressure booster system ensures adequate water is available when everyone goes to the bathroom at one time, like halftime at a football game," said Mark Handzel, vice president of product regulatory affairs, and director of HVAC commercial buildings at Bell & Gossett, a Xylem Brand.

The “Super Flush,” a test of the system, was conducted in April 2014 to make sure the system was fully operational before the stadium opened. During the test, hundreds of workers and volunteers simultaneously flushed every toilet and urinal and turned on every sink in the stadium for about 30 minutes.

"The B&G/CHC system solution handled it with flying colors," Handzel said.

There are twice as many toilets in Levi’s Stadium as there were in Candlestick Park, the 49ers’ former stadium, and the expectation is for significant water savings due to more efficient infrastructure. According to stadium water assessment estimates, 84 percent of all of the water used will be recycled water, which amounts to more than 42 million gallons a year. All of the Bell & Gossett products that went into the stadium are noted for their efficiency and were selected by Turner-Devcon, who drafted design development drawings and specs, along with the support of M-E Engineers. Plumbing contractors ACCO and FW Spencer completed the permit packages, which included the selection of Bell & Gossett centrifugal pumps and Goulds Water Technology e-SV multistage centrifugal pumps for the recycled-water pressure booster system.

"The system needed to be both innovative and high-performing,” said Kevin Coyne, vice president at FW Spencer. “Based on our successful history working with CHC, we knew the Bell & Gossett products would deliver on both fronts."

ACCO, the mechanical contractor for the project, procured a variety of Bell & Gossett products, including Rolairtrol air separators, Series 60 inline pumps, 1510 end suction base mounted pumps, and VSX double suction pumps for the hydronic systems. Xylem Bell & Gossett brazed plate and GPX gasketed plate and frame heat exchangers were specified and supplied for the project, offering the highest level of thermal efficiency for the condenser water system since majority of the air-conditioning equipment and food service coolers are water-cooled. The stadium received LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a first for a NFL stadium.

"Every detail regarding environmental sustainability was addressed during planning and construction," said CHC’s Ken Carey. "This project is a bellwether for others to follow."

The 49ers made their debut in Levi’s Stadium during the NFL preseason in August 2014. The stadium is scheduled to host Super Bowl 50 on February 7, 2016, to a crowd of more than 70,000 people.

Engineers & Specifiers Plumbing
  • Related Articles

    IAPMO Sets Date for National Standard Plumbing Code Public Hearing

    Missouri Department of Natural Resources Accepts ASSE-Certified Backflow Protection Products

    American Standard Launches Branded Restrooms at Braves Stadium

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular

  • AIM/R Past President Bill Freeman, CEO, Spirit Group, Passes Away

  • GE Appliances Opens $70 Million High-Tech Water Heater Manufacturing Plant in Camden, South Carolina

  • Survey Reveals Americans Clueless but Curious About Bidets

  • Kohler Co. Announces Completion of Plumbing Products Warehouse

Featured Video

Ge video 2

GE Appliances opens new plant in Camden, SC

Industry Events

  • 06Jun

    NFPA Conference & Expo 2022

    Boston , MA
  • 07Jun

    2022 NCWA Convention

    Columbus, OH
  • 13Jun

    PVF Roundtable Golf Tournament

    TX
More Events

Subscribe to our newsletters & stay updated

Subscribe & Learn More

  • Tw05 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Pe05 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Phc05 2022 cover
    Learn More
  • Es07 2020
    Learn More
Subscribe

More from PHCP Pros

  • Editorial Team
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise

Follow Us

© 2022 All Rights Reserved

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development | ePublishing