The newest toilet-shower building at Traverse City State Park may not look much different than the other facilities built in the past few years, but small changes will impact the amount of electricity and water that is used, preserving more natural resources and reducing impacts on the environment.

These alterations include:

• Paints and sealants that have low VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• Recycled shower seats made in Michigan
• Shower heads use two gallons per minute
• Sink faucets using one gallon per minute and motion sensors for automatic shutoff
• Waterless urinals
• Exterior and interior light motion sensors

These adjustments precede a larger revamping of mechanical equipment, materials and components that will take place through design modifications before the next building is constructed. The next design will reduce water and energy consumption even more and provide on-site energy production by using natural resources such as solar, wind or geothermal sources of energy.

Links
Department of Environmental Quality Green Construction and Demolition
DEQ Green Building Resources Document
U.S. Green Building Council