Wright-Pierce News

LEED Certification Guides Design of Rochester, NH Water Treatment Facility

There is growing interest in applying sustainable principles to the design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure. The United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Design (LEED) program, established to encourage "green" building projects, is increasingly being adopted as a guide for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

Rick Davee, P.E., Senior Vice President and Water Practice Group Leader, recently presented at the NH Water Works Association Sustainable Design Conference discussing the challenges associated with developing LEED compliant water infrastructure projects. His presentation, "Designing a Green Water Treatment Plant", highlighted the design features and LEED certification process undertaken for the Rochester, NH Cocheco Wells Water Treatment Plant project for which design was recently completed and construction about to begin.

This presentation reviewed some of the lessons learned by undertaking the LEED Certification process for a water infrastructure project. Presentation highlights includes:

• how to obtain the points required for LEED Certification;
• costs associated with certification both during design and construction;
• availability of sustainable materials; and
• how to revise standard specifications to meet the LEED criteria.

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