Heifer's Zero-water Building

By Dan Shapley News Editor Heifer International's new headquarters consumes less water than many homes, and unlike the average 2.5-person family, 200 employees spend their days at the building in Little Rock, Ark. (pop. 184,564). As an organization dedicated to the eradication of hunger and poverty, its building reflects its belief in sustainable development in a variety of ways, from the recycled steel purchased at a mill down the road to the site itself, a newly cleaned-up industrial plot. The stunning design won one of this year's Top Ten Green Project awards from the American Institute of Architects. A standout feature is its attention to smart water use. The water flowing in from the city water system is used only for drinking, and the water flowing out to the city's sewer plant is only from flushing toilets. Every other drop of water - the non-potable water flowing from used for washing dishes and hands, and for filling the toilet holding tanks - comes from the rainwater that falls on the roof and is captured in a water tower. After use, so-called gray water, that doesn't require heavy treatment, is filtered in a network of wetlands that is built around and through the organization's headquarters. Water conservation is key, because Heifer sees first-hand through its work around the world how poor water management contributes to a cycle of impoverishment and disease. "We're all connected. If we aren't aware of our impact on the land and on the Earth, we need to get aware of it," said spokesman Ray White. "We're not going to solve hunger and poverty if we don't solve this other equation too. If you don't do it in a way that is sustainable, it's not going to work." That, and Heifer's monthly water bill is often less than $100. More of May's Innovators A Waste-to-Ice Cream Initiative in Lancaster, Pa. Efficient Homes By Design In Greenburg, N.Y. One Million Trees in Los Angeles April's Innovators A Local Food Web Site in Plymouth, N.H. The Eternal Sunshine of Solar Access in Boulder, Colo. The Green Roof Revolution in Chicago, Ill. Clean Mobility in the Twin Cities