1. Plaza de Balboa Smartscape
Showcase Presentation
Friends of Balboa Park
Presenter:
Architect RENE TREVINO
Project DIRECTOR
May 23, 2013

2. Goal
Main Goal is to “Smartscape” the Plaza de Balboa
with drought tolerant landscaping while utilizing
smart irrigation systems and reclaimed water

3. Background
• All water used in Balboa Park is “Potable” water,
including that used for irrigation purposes
• There is great opportunity to capture or “Reclaim”
water throughout the park for irrigation and other
outdoor uses
• Developed a feasibility study which created a pilot
project
– Looked at two specific buildings: Reuben H. Fleet Science
Center and Casa de Balboa

4. Smartscape Site
PLAZA DE
BALBOA
CASA DE
BALBOA
PERSIAN
CARPET
GARDEN
ZORO
GARDEN
FLEET
SCIENCE
CENTER

5. Water Reclamation
– Pilot Project focusing at Reuben H. Fleet Science
Center and Casa de Balboa
– There are four primary sources:
•
•
•
•
Cooling Tower Condensation
HVAC Condensation
Reverse Osmosis By-Product
Rainwater
– Challenge: Quality of the reclaimed water and its
use as water for irrigation and other outdoor uses

6. Water Reclamation
– Data Collection
• There are approximately 400 tons of air conditioning
units, cooling towers and a reverse osmosis unit which
generate reclaimable water
• Air Conditioning Condensate: 90,000 gallons per month
• Reverse Osmosis: 10,800 gallons per month
• There is over 103,000 SF of roof surface to capture
rainwater
• Rainwater: 128,664 gallons peak month; 54,000 gallons
per month yearly average

7. Water Reclamation
– Recommended Collection System
• Single source collection and distribution
–Temporary storage tanks; piping; UV unit
– Benefits
• Damage to exteriors; public safety; erosion
– Regulatory
• State, County and City Reclaimed Water
Regulations

8. Landscape Architecture
– Proposed project will landscape areas surrounding
Plaza de Balboa and the two pilot buildings
– Will also look at the canyon area below Zoro
Garden
– Will apply the smartscaping strategy of the Waterwise Roadmap
– Will incorporate ‘State of the Art’ irrigation
systems, such as drip, rotators, deep root, and
sub-surface

9. Landscape Areas of Interest
PLAZA DE
BALBOA
CASA DE
BALBOA
PERSIAN
CARPET
GARDEN
ZORO
GARDEN
FLEET
SCIENCE
CENTER

10. Way Ahead
Conclusion:
• Reclaiming water from existing systems is feasible
• Changing to Smart Landscaping is encouraged
• Highly recommend move to Phase II
Phase II (2013-2015):
• Capture ‘reclaimed’ water with an interim system
• Change out selected plants with drought tolerant
• Install and test ‘state of the art’ irrigation systems