One Water: Using Water Right in a New School
On February 14, O’Connell Robertson’s Principal Engineer, Ted Davison, joined a panel to discuss Wimberley’s One Water Primary School. The school will be the first One Water Campus in Texas with plans to include rainwater and HVAC condensate collection together with wastewater treatment and reuse in the construction of the new school, focusing on conservation of natural resources, green storm water infrastructure, open space preservation and education.
Ted led the engineering solutions for the project. He spoke in detail about the green stormwater infrastructure, onsite treatment plant, and the rainwater/HVAC condensate collection system involved. He also shared the educational features of the project which includes a clear pipe display in the library to serve as a teaching tool about the value of water conservation.
“The water community is very excited about this campus because of the historic nature of the project and its importance in this time,” – Nick Dornak, Director of Watershed Services, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment—Texas State University.
Wimberley’s One Water Primary School will be a model for other schools to follow throughout Texas and beyond. It will also serve as a valuable reminder of the water challenges growing communities face along with the upmost importance of water conservation.
Also included on the panel were: David Baker, Executive Director of Wimberley Valley Watershed Association; Nick Dornak, Director of Watershed Services, The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment at Texas State University; Lori Olson, WISD Trustee, Place 1; David Venhuizen, P.E., Engineer and moderated by Robin Gary, Senior Public Information and Education Coordinator at Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District.