encouraging sustainability: use of leed to enhance focus on sustainability

Daniel F. Haddock, P.E.Senior Project Manager

Wittman Hydro, a Division of Layne

12009 © American Water Works Association 2009 Utility Managemnt Conference Proceedings All Rights Reserved

Got Sustainability?“…development that fulfills the needs of the present generation without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs.”(1)

Focus on long‐term performanceEnvironmental, Social and Economic performance –Triple Bottom Line (2)

Graphic – broad concept

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Environmentalefficient resource use

adaptation to climate changeminimization of waste

preservation of biodiversity

Economicfull‐cost pricing of water

reinvestment in infrastructure

ability to attract capitalaffordability of serviceeconomic development

Socialpublic health

reliability & level of service

employeescommunity goals &

priorities


Sustainability and the Water Industry

The water industry is naturally concerned with sustainability

public healthprotection of natural resourceslong asset lives requiring long term view

EPA Four Pillars (3)

Utility ManagementFull Cost PricingEfficient Water UseWatershed Approaches to Source Protection

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“Sustainable water resource systems are those designed and managed to fully contribute to the objectives of society, now and in the future, while maintaining their ecological, environmental, and hydrological integrity” (4)


What Does Sustainability Mean to People?

In a practical sense ‐ is it immediately clear to people how sustainability relates to their own work?

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How many different perspectives are there in your utility organization?

Operations, Engineering, Water Quality, Finance, Human Resources…….

What does it mean to different stakeholders?Customers, Employees, Regulators, Investors, Taxpayers, NGO’s, Other Users of Water Resources…….


Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)

Leading measure of sustainability in constructionDeveloped and administered by US Green Building Council (5)

Adopted by 31 states, 12 fed agencies, 172 localities (6)

LEED‐NC for new constructionLEED‐NC designed primarily for office buildings, but applied to manufacturing, schoolsMultiple levels ‐ Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum

Sustainable Sites14

Water Efficiency

5Energy &

Atmosphere17

Materials & Resources

13

Indoor Environmental

Quality15

Innovation & Design Process

5


Bringing Sustainability Into Focus American Water – A Case Study

In late 2005, American Water embarked on an initiative to pursue LEED certification for four new water treatment facilities to be built in Illinois and Indiana.Structured framework and goals of LEED provided playing field for wrestling with concepts of sustainabilitySustainability into Focus

Connection of sustainability to their jobsExisting sustainable practices were “discovered”Search for new opportunities began


Initiating the InitiativeAmerican Water – A Case Study

Recognized that many existing practices already contributing to sustainability

Water loss reduction through leak detection and obsolete main replacementMeter replacementPreventative maintenanceFull‐cost water rates, re‐investment in infrastructure

LEED Certification appeared feasible without changes to budget or schedule of project


Good fit with American Water expertise and processes

Design‐Build project delivery model facilitates collaborative design and construction effort necessary for achieving goalLife cycle cost analysis standard approach for evaluating alternativesExpertise in full life cycle of facilities ‐ planning, engineering, construction, operation enables thorough evaluation of constructability, cost, and operability

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Initiating the InitiativeAmerican Water – A Case Study


Initiating the InitiativeAmerican Water – A Case StudyAchieving Commitment

Benefitsdemonstrate environmental leadershipmotivating development opportunity for employees

Risks to be MitigatedPublic utility commission supportSchedule & Cost

Implementation PlanPilot projectsClear expectations and constraintsEvaluation


LEED and the Water UtilityAmerican Water – A Case Study

Moving Forward with Appropriate Constraints

Maintain focus on function, cost‐effectiveness, value to rate paying customers.Decision making unchanged – alternatives appropriately subjected to life cycle cost analysisMinimize risk by targeting lowest certification level Budget & schedule trump certificationCommunicate externally after feasibility assured


ImplementationAmerican Water – A Case Study

LEED certification goal was identified in Requests for Qualifications and Proposals for design build servicesPlans for achieving LEED certification were integral to the proposals received from prospective design‐build teamsInternal presentations at management and functional group meetingsProject team orientation – intent, concepts, goals, constraintsProject delivery unchanged


Initial ChallengesAmerican Water – A Case Study

Skepticism of real value, viewed as an “extra” thing, a distractionCommon assumption that it would increase costs, could present risk to recovery of investment in ratesRequired stretching beyond familiar designsLEED‐NC was not designed for water treatment facilities, many measures are not practical

Challenges overcome when:It was clear that decision making would not be distorted by certification goalIt was appreciated that sustainability goals are well aligned with fundamental priorities and not a change of directionEnthusiasm of project team members made stretching beyond familiar approaches fun


“Green” Water Treatment FacilitiesAmerican Water – A Case Study

Design‐build project teams have completed the collaborative design processFacilities under construction


Champaign County Operations, IllinoisChampaign County Water Treatment Facility

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Lime softening and filtration plant, seven wells and transmission mains15 million gallons per day (mgd), expandable to 20 mgd$51 millionOperational December 2008



Sustainable Sitesreduce storm water runoff, pervious pavementmaintain & restore vegetationdark‐sky lightingreduce heat island – reflective roofing and pavement

Water Efficiencywater efficient fixtureseliminate potable water for irrigation ‐ native landscaping

Energy & Atmospheregeothermal heating & cooling – raw groundwater supply utilized for energyoptimize building energy performance

Materials & Resources 75% construction waste diverted from landfill20% recycled content, 20% regional materials



Indoor Environmental Qualitylow‐VOC paint and adhesives90% day‐lighting, lighting and climate controls

Innovation & Design Process (and other features)Agricultural reuse of lime residuals – 237,500 cubic feet of residual solids diverted annually from landfillsRecycling of process water ‐ 95 million gallons of water per year recycled, reducing groundwater withdrawalsEstablish native prairie and pheasant habitatOn‐site generation of chlorine, eliminating risk of handling chlorine gasVariable speed pump drives to optimize operational control and energy use Exceeded requirements for modeling of regional effects of groundwater withdrawals. Proactive mitigation of residential well impacts.

Anticipated LEED Certification level – Certified, possible Silver16


West Lafayette, IndianaHappy Hollow and Davis Ferry WTF’s

Happy Hollow Water Treatment Facility (WTF) – iron & manganese filtration plant3 mgd

Davis Ferry WTF – 4 wells, iron & manganese filtration plant, transmission mains.9 mgd, expandable to 12 mgd

$35 million, Operational June 20092009 © American Water Works Association 2009 Utility Managemnt Conference Proceedings All Rights Reserved



Water Efficiencywater efficient fixtureseliminate potable water for irrigation ‐ native landscaping

Energy & Atmosphereoptimize building energy performance

Materials & Resources75% construction waste diverted from landfill20% recycled content, 20% regional materials



Indoor Environmental Qualitylow‐VOC paint and adhesiveslighting and climate controls, 75% day lighting

Innovation & Design Process (and other features)recycling of process water, reducing load to sanitary sewer and groundwater withdrawalsestablish native prairie habitat, accessible to nature trailon‐site generation of chlorine, eliminating risk of handling chlorine gasvariable speed pump drives to optimize operational control and energy useadaptation to climate change uncertainty ‐ well platforms constructed above the 500‐year flood levelproactive mitigation of residential well impacts

Anticipated LEED Certification level – Certified, possible Silver19


Johnson County Operations, IndianaLondon Road Water Treatment Facility

Iron & Manganese Filtration Plant, five wells, transmission mains3 mgd, expandable to 6 mgd$14.5 millionOperational June 2009




Water Efficiencywater efficient fixtureseliminate potable water for irrigation, native landscaping

Energy & Atmosphereoptimize building energy performance

Materials & Resources75% construction waste diverted from landfill20% recycled content, 20% regional materials



Indoor Environmental Qualitylow‐VOC paint and adhesiveslighting and climate controls, 75% day lighting

Innovation & Design Process (and other features)establish native prairie habitaton‐site generation of chlorine, eliminating risk of handling chlorine gasvariable speed pump drives to optimize operational control and energy useadaptation to climate change uncertainty ‐ well platforms constructed above the 500‐year flood levelproactive mitigation of residential well impactsprovides interconnection of two water systems, increasing reliability of supply

Anticipated LEED Certification level – Certified, possible Silver


What was learned about LEED?American Water – A Case Study

Design‐build project delivery method is well suited to LEEDNo significant additional capital cost at lower levels of LEED certificationEmployees enthusiastic, communities positiveEstablished, structured program helpful

recognition of LEED “brand”process for project team to follow


Process “discovered” good existing practices, new approach stretched team to implement othersPractices broadly applicable to all construction

variable speed drives to optimize pumping native vegetationenergy efficient building materialssite selectionconcrete specification – fly ash & slagrecycle construction waste

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What was learned about LEED?American Water – A Case Study


Learned that sustainability encompasses:Planning in a wider context and with a long viewMinimizing the environmental impact of our activitiesEfficient management of water resources – source water protection, treatment & delivery, conservation, reuseMaintenance and upkeep of infrastructure to maximize efficiency of our assets & limited capital

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And about sustainability?


And about sustainability?

Learned that sustainability encompasses:Financial viability: full‐cost pricing of water, rates that will sustain our operations and support necessary investment in infrastructureDevelopment and retention of qualified, motivated staffClimate change – prepare for drought and flood, manage risksCommunication with customers and stakeholders about water issues


Sustainability is integral to the core business of the

utility and involves everyone

Utility

Operations

Water Quality

Engineering

Rates & Finance

Human Resources

Management

Maintenance


Conclusion ‐ Benefits of Implementing LEED

Structured program is useful for building awareness of issues of sustainability affecting the businessDemonstrate the environmental leadership that our customers expectIndependent Recognition & PublicityEnergy efficiency and reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity


Additional InitiativesTotal Water Management – Water Conservation, ReuseOptimization of Systems – Pumping Energy & Water WithdrawalsUSEPA – WaterSense (7), Sustainable Infrastructure, Climate Leaders (8)

Triple Bottom Line


Bibliography

1. WCED. 1987. The Brundtland Report. World Commission for Environment and Development.

2. AwwaRF. 2007. Triple Bottom Line Reporting of Sustainable Water Utility Performance. American Water Works Association Research Foundation.

3. http://www.epa.gov/waterinfrastructure/4. ASCE. 1998. Sustainability Criteria for Water Resources Systems. American

Society of Civil Engineers, UNESCO/PHI IV Project M‐4.3, Reston, Virginia, 253 p.

5. www.usgbc.org6. http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=18527. http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/8. http://www.epa.gov/climateleaders/


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Brent O’Neill, P.E.Engineering Manager – Project DeliveryIllinois American [email protected]

Dave Elmer, P.E.Engineering Manager – Project DeliveryIndiana American [email protected]

Contact: Dan Haddock, P.E. *Senior Project ManagerWittman Hydro, a Division of [email protected]* Prior to July 2008 – Engineering Manager, American Water –Central Region


mailto:[email protected]

encouraging sustainability: use of leed to enhance focus on sustainability

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