case study
Urban Water Recycling System for LEED-Certified Admin Building
Location
Denver, CO
Client
Architectural Design Team
in collaboration with
Aqua Nova LLC (Lead Engineer)
Project Type
Onsite wastewater treatment and reuse
Overview
This flagship water reuse project involved the design and implementation of a decentralized onsite treatment system for a high-performance administration building in downtown Denver. Treated water is recycled for indoor toilet flushing and landscape irrigation, helping the Owner achieve LEED certification and positioning the project as a statewide leader in integrated water management.
Challenges
01
02
Advanced treatment and reuse within a relatively low-flow urban footprint
Extensive collaboration with the architect to embed infrastructure into the building’s design
03
04
Long project timeline (6+ years) requiring continuity across multiple design, construction, and operations phases
Close permitting coordination in a regulatory landscape that had not yet fully accounted for this type of reuse
Our Approach
Working in support of Aqua Nova LLC, Robial contributed to early project scoping, site-specific design coordination, and permitting strategy. We participated in multiple site visits during construction and led biological system startup and operator training during commissioning. Our contributions helped ensure that the system could function reliably, meet regulatory goals, and integrate cleanly into the architectural vision.
The project became a model for decentralized reuse in Colorado, contributing to the evolution of state water reuse policy. It now supplies treated wastewater for both toilet flushing and irrigation, reducing potable demand and showcasing a One Water approach in a dense urban setting. The building was awarded LEED certification, with the treatment system recognized as a key contributor to its water stewardship credentials.
Press:
The Sky is the Limit: Denver Water’s new complex highlights water efficiency
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