September 13, 2011

DENVER ZOO RECOGNIZED
FOR USE OF RECLAIMED WATER
Zoo Named WateReuse Customer of the Year

Denver Zoo is the 2011 WateReuse “Customer of the Year,” recognizing the zoo’s successful and innovative use of reclaimed water. The honor was presented to Denver Zoo at the 26th Annual WateRuse Symposium this week in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We are very proud to receive this recognition. As dedicated leaders in environmental stewardship, Denver Zoo has worked diligently to find innovative uses of reclaimed water throughout our facility. We have saved a great deal of potable water by using reclaimed water for irrigation and cleaning in our exhibits,” says VP for Planning and Capital Projects George Pond.

Since 2004, Denver Zoo began using reclaimed water as part of our Main Entry Plaza and Predator Ridge exhibit. The expansion of this system commenced in December 2009 with the construction of our newest exhibit Asian Tropics. Asian Tropics will feature more water for elephants than any other exhibit we know of. The deepest foundation includes 20 feet deep settling chambers for the 900,000 gallons of water re-circulated to the outdoor pools. The source of the water for the outdoor pools will also be sustainable, coming from Denver Water’s recycled water system. Although the Asian Tropics exhibit will hold more water than the rest of the zoo combined, the impact will be minimal, due to the use of the state-of-the-art filtration system.

The WateReuse Association is an international association dedicated to advancing water reuse and desalination.  As part of their mission, they present awards to entities that demonstrate excellence in the field of water reuse and desalination at their annual symposium.

The 26th Annual WateReuse Symposium is being held September 11-14, 2011 at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort in Phoenix, AZ. Presented by the WateReuse Association and cosponsored by the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation, the Symposium features more than 100 technical presentations, technical tours, a national legislative and water policy outlook session, receptions, an awards luncheon, and the ever-popular exhibition component.