The Portland Water Bureau’s newest LEED building is the Meter Shop, certified LEED Gold!

The meter shop pulls between 8-10 percent of its power from a 12 kW solar array. Our new system is the largest solar PV system owned entirely by a city governance!

Other green features include:

• Energy efficient lighting and HVAC improvements, which are expected to reduce energy and electrical use at this facility by 35% to 45 % per year.

• Solar electric and solar hot water will reduce energy costs and reduce carbon emissions. Solar Electric will provide for approximately 8% to 10% of the building's normal electrical load. The solar hot water system will provide for 100% of water heating needs approximately 6 months of the year.

• The new Meter Shop will be recycling the water used to test water meters. The system will involve a storage tank and recirculation pumps. The existing Meter Shop does not currently recycle the water used to test the meters. The recirculation system, along with a larger test bench, will allow testing of multiple meters at the same time, reducing the water usage for the meter testing by 50%.

• Energy Star rated roof (reduces heat island effect)

• Window placement to increase natural lighting and ventilation. This will also reduce energy use.

• Low VOC building materials

• A portion of the building materials will contain recycled content and be procured from local, regional sources

• Construction waste will be recycled to LEED standards.

• The storm water run-off from the roof will be treated with a vegetated planter to clean and decrease run-off.

The design was completed by Gazley Plowman and Associates, under lead architect Robert Schroeder.

Construction is being performed by 2KG Contractors. Tom Leavitt (Construction Manager), Michael Ross (Design Project Manger), Rich Brown (Meter Shop Supervisor), construction inspection staff and many others worked closely together to make sure this intricate project is completed to meet the needs of the Water Bureau and its Meter Shop staff.