The roof of BC Place Stadium collects approximately 45,000 m3 of rainwater annually that was not being utilized for any non-potable water use. A pilot project was initiated to identify a way to safely store and reuse this rainwater.
BC Place Stadium has eleven acres of roof area and collects rainwater through eight 300mm diameter rainwater leaders. With numerous private and public washroom facilities at different stadium floors, the potable water usage is quite intensive as it is being used for flushing toilets and urinals. Currently the field washing trucks and equipment used for washing the field lines also uses domestic cold water.
PavCo, operators of BC Place Stadium, have been working with Prism since 2019 to develop the concept, conduct the detailed design and engineer the mechanical and electrical systems for the rainwater harvesting pilot project. The project is currently at final stage of commissioning and verification.
The new rainwater harvesting pilot system is connected to one of eight existing rainwater leaders serving a portion of the existing roof.
The new rainwater harvesting system consists of two 38 m3 cistern tanks, transfer pumps and filtration skid, 4 m3 day tank, package booster pump and associated plumbing to ensure a fully operational system. The filtration skid consists of a strainer and UV filtration system. The tanks volume, filtration and pumping systems are sized based on annual precipitation and service load. The controls of the rainwater harvesting system are interfaced with the Building Management System for monitoring and scheduling of equipment operation.
The rainwater harvesting system at BC Place is currently being used to fill the field washing trucks and equipment. Extending the system for use as non-potable water washrooms is currently in development and test fits are underway.