lcca balboa park smartscape.docx

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Page 1: LCCA Balboa Park Smartscape.docx

Life Cycle Assessment

Water Reclamation Project Ruben H. Fleet Science Center

1875 El Prado Balboa Park

San Diego, CA 92101

Prepared by: Alyson Wright UCSD 2013

[email protected]

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Overview The Ruben H. Fleet Science Center in partnership with the Friends of Balboa Park are working on a Water Wise pilot project that will test the feasibility of reclaiming water. This pilot project will focus on reclaiming water from the HVAC units and rainwater run off to be used for on site irrigation. The hope is to set an example for the other buildings within Balboa Park so that they might participate in water reclamation projects. The buildings within Balboa Park do not pay for water therefore many of them do not know how much water is used per month. There is no immediate financial gain in committing to this type of project but the park has many visitors and is in a unique position to save a large amount of water while creating a ripple effect within the community around water conservation. The intention for the Fleet project is that it will be turned into an exhibit for the public to view and learn about water conservation. The long-range time line for having the project and educational exhibit completed is the parks centennial event happening in 2015. Assumptions All assumptions in this Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) have been made based on conversations with members of the Water Wise committee and Fleet Facility Management. This LCCA is being created based on the most current information and is intended to be a living document that can be updated as more information becomes available and final decisions are made. There are many things that have yet to be completely decided on regarding the projects implementation such as the exact system to be used for collection and storing the reclaimed water and where this water will be used for irrigation. These two factors, being the most important in terms of costs, could have a very big effect on the projected cost outcomes. For this reason the LCCA will be completed using very large assumptions as to where the system will water and which system will be used. The system that has been discussed the most, though not officially decided on, that will be used for the purpose of this LCCA is the Advanced Greywater Recycling System (AGWRS). This system costs $4,950, with an additional $3,360 for installation (based on the average hourly wage of two maintenance workers working for 2 weeks) and a projected cost of $1,000 over ten years for replacement parts for the AWGRS (approximately $100 a year). The second largest assumption and one that could potentially affect the initial investment cost the most is where the reclaimed water will be used. The reclaimed water has been narrowed down to either be used in Zoro garden or for sub-surface irrigation in the lawns around the Fleet. Due to the emphasis on having the system used as an educational opportunity for this LCCA it will be assumed that the reclaimed water will be use to irrigate Zoro garden; as it will provided the best opportunity for an impactful educational exhibit. Additionally it will have a lower initial investment cost. The assumed initial investment cost for materials is $1,296; this price includes piping from the building to the AWGRS and a drip irrigation system to water 250 plants in the garden. The three major assumptions regarding the net benefits that are used in the calculations of this

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LCCA are not as big as those used in the initial cost. The assumptions are costs savings on water with a projected yearly increase in price of 5%, reduction in landscaping maintenance costs, and a reduction in costs associated with concrete repairs and building maintenance. The dollar rate of $00.005 per gallon of water with an approximate 145,000 gallons saved a year will equal saving about $745 the first year and will increase by 5% each additional year. The reduction of the cost of landscape maintenance will be $31,200 over ten years based on the average hourly rate ($13.00) of a landscaper working 20 hours a month (or 240 hours a year). The reduction in the costs of concrete (hard-scape) and exterior building maintenance will be approximately $8,400 a year based on the average hourly rate of one construction worker ($21.00) making repairs for approximately one week a year (or 40 hours a year). Additional benefits that are represented on such a small scale as to not alter the LCCA calculations but are still present and worthy of mention include a reduction in CO2 emissions generated by transporting water from it's source, and the reduction of sewage treatment costs. There are numerous benefits to installing AWGRS that are unquantifiable but present a tangible benefit such as increased cosmetic appeal of surrounding areas and reduction of ocean pollution from saving runoff. This project will most likely be funded though monetary donations and/or donations of products, but for the purpose of producing this LCCA a typical discount rate of 3% has been chosen. Conclusion Having the friends of Balboa Park and the Fleet purchase a system to reclaim condensate from the HVAC units and rainwater should be an easy decision. This project will not only save the park thousands of dollars in maintenance over the next 10 years it will also reduce the amount of water that the city has to pay for. The net present value for this project is $29,110.44, in total savings over 10 years less the initial investment cost. This will be a worthwhile reduction in the maintenance cost of Balboa Park. Investing in this system will also help protect against future unexpected water costs increases. Additionally installing this system will make the Fleet a leader in water conservation and sustainability in the city while creating an exceptional platform for education on water issues.