Integration -

Green Design Integrated into the Design and the Design Process

Since the beginning phases, this project has incorporated green design into its program. CH2M HILL, the project Design Build Operate Contractor, and its team members used a collaborative process to guide the project design and construction to be a model for sustainability in the area of public works.

Following the City of Seattle's directive for LEED™ silver rating on capital projects, the design team worked to enhance green design in every facet of the Operations Building. Working with green building consultants Paladino & Company, principal authors of the LEED™ Reference Guide, and Seattle Public Utilities, the designers used the ideas of recycled materials, site protection, natural heating and ventilation, solar access, water conservation, protection of indoor air quality, and energy efficiency to "build in" sustainable features throughout the project. This synergistic process of development has led to an outstanding example of environmentally responsible design in a non-commercial building.

This web page provides information on how sustainable development practices were integrated into the Cedar Water Treatment Facility project. Click on each of the headings below to learn why these practices are important to sustainability.

Site

The Cedar Water Treatment facilities have been designed to minimize impacts to the site to preserve the water and the eco-system quality of the surrounding environment. Clearing areas were minimized, and the facilities were located on the site to minimize impacts to both the wetlands and shoreline. The design has also utilized existing facilities where possible, to avoid additional construction of new facilities, such as use of the existing pipelines for transmission and ozone contract. No new roadways were constructed to access the facilities.

Some of the site features are illustrated in the picture on the right. Click on the image to increase the size of the illustration. Other features that were incorporated into the design to minimize impacts to the site include:

Oversized detention facilities to handle 10-year flooding and to allow for no net increase in rate of runoff.
Monitoring of the water quality of the existing reservoir water quality to ensure that no impacts to the reservoir were generated by construction activities.
Additional site area set aside to constitute a green area the size of the Operations Building in order to offset site disturbances.
Construction of a wetland.
Provisions for alternate transportation including bicycle storage, changing rooms, and minimizing the number of car parking spaces and providing vanpool/bus parking.

Materials

During the construction of the Operations Building, over 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfill disposal. In addition, the design targeted use of 50 percent recycled materials. Recycled materials include plastic toilet partitions, gypsum wall board, concrete, rebar, carpet, and ceiling tiles. The construction of the Operations Building incorporated rapidly renewable materials and local and/or regional materials whenever possible. Many of the materials and resources used in the construction of the building are depicted in the illustration to the right. Click on the image to increase the size of the illustration.

Waste

Several features were incorporated into the design and construction procedures to minimize waste during construction and operations of the facilities.

A construction waste management plan was developed prior to initiation of construction activities. By planning, field verifying, and ordering proper quantities of materials, the amount of waste generated by construction activities were minimized. All proper storage and handling procedures were followed to prevent damage to materials, and materials were reused whenever possible to minimize waste. Containers were located at work areas to collect various construction materials to be recycled. In addition, a dedicated area for recycling is part of an ongoing recycling plan for the facility through operations.

Operational waste minimization practices include low flow toilets and waterless urinals to minimize wastewater and utilizing an on-site drainfield to dispose of sanitary waste.

Energy - Conservation and Creation

The Operations Building has integrated energy-saving measures into the entire design of the building, which will be staffed 24 hours per day with treatment plant operators. The structure facilitates natural heating and ventilation through strategically place operable glazing, passive solar shading, sloping roofs and a large thermal mass. Extra insulation is included in the roof and envelope to mitigate temperature extremes. High reflectance metal and sheet roofing is used on the roof to reduce heat island effects in summer, and clerestories automatically open to purge warm air. A heat recovery duct on the south end of the building captures radiant heat, which is used to warm other parts of the building interior.

Daylighting is provided throughout the building with windows and clerestories made with performance low-e glazing. High performance lighting and Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and Energy Star rated appliances further reduce energy demand in this efficient structure.

Indoor Air Quality

The air quality plan first relies on elimination of pollutants through source control. Non-toxic paints, adhesives, sealants and carpet have been utilized. Permanent walk-off mats eliminate dirt and debris from entering the building during normal operation. All occupied rooms use daylight as the primary illumination source. The HVAC system provides constant exhaust in dirty areas such as the janitor closet and the copy room. Permanent air monitoring equipment ensures that the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) compliant temperature and thermal comfort environments are maintained over time.