January 26, 2004
January 26, 2004
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A New Environmentally Responsible Wastewater System at Fallingwater A new wastewater system that provides zero discharge to the Pennsylvania-designated “Exceptional Value” Bear Run stream is now up and running and ready to accommodate Fallingwater's 140,000 annual visitors. The new wastewater plant completely protects Bear Run, which was the first Exceptional Value stream the state designated on private land. Designed by the engineering firm of CH2M Hill, of Herndon, Va., the system replaces the various disposal systems that were formerly in use on the site. The new system features a ZENON treatment plant, the first ZENON to be constructed in Pennsylvania. To achieve zero discharge to the stream, liquid wastes will be treated to a quality level suitable for reuse onsite for flushing toilets in the Visitors' Pavilion, administration buildings and at other appropriate locations. The excess treated and polished wastewater will be used for beneficial irrigation of a restored cutting garden to be located where the Kaufmann's original garden was in the meadow opposite the boardwalk leading from the Pavilion to the house. The garden will also be used as an interpretative site for the reclaimed water system. Wastewater also will be used to irrigate a portion of the forest located above Fallingwater near the former Kirkpatrick Farm. “With the number of visitors to the Fallingwater site, this project should be used to encourage others to achieve higher goals for water quality protection by showing that sound development can occur in protected waters,” says Schweiger. “We wanted a system that is practical and cost effective so that others will consider taking the extra step to protect water around the world.” The sewage system was completed with the support of the Vira I. Heinz Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as many other donors and supporters. Pictured above is WPC Board Chairman E. Michael Boyle (far left) and CH2M Hill's Karen Speer at the site earlier this month. E-mail Today's WPC Daily to a Friend!
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