The first of two 25,000 gallon tanks, (each 36’ long, 11’ in diameter?about the size of a UPS trucks) will be lowered 15 feet below ground with a massive crane.
The tank will harvest and store rainwater which will be used for landscape irrigation. Water harvesting (both collection and use) will be monitored by students and teachers at the NEW Colonel Smith Middle School, providing opportunities for children to learn the importance of the environment, eco-systems and water conservation. Brief remarks will be made by School Superintendent Dr. Ronda Frueauff; Fort Huachuca garrison commander Col. Faulkner; and Program Manager Tony Wall with 3W Management.
Water harvesting tanks are part of Colonel Smith Middle School’s environmental and sustainability program. The net zero school will generate more energy than it consumes on an annual basis through its energy-efficient design, solar potable water heating, photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The new Colonel Smith Middle School Complex will also be Arizona’s first net zero energy building and 12th in the nation. Fort Huachuca, the Army’s premiere installation for training, development and testing of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), has been a leader in sustainability since its founding in 1877. With an instructional focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), planners re-thought the traditional design of educational buildings. Facilities will support a project-based learning model with flexible common and collaboration spaces, and will facilitate learning both indoors and outdoors.
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