Calgary, Canada - One of the first projects launched under Calgary’s Sustainable Building Policy is now complete. The $33-million Water Centre, home to the city’s Water Services and Resources business units, is a LEED Gold facility.

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Since 2004 all new City buildings in Calgary, and major renovations to existing ones, are designed to meet or exceed the silver level rating of LEED.  This follows from the City of Calgary’s Sustainable Building Vision, which states "The City will develop sustainable buildings that will enhance the indoor and outdoor environment, reduce the impact on natural resources and provide long term savings to the citizens of Calgary."       

The Water Centre is the City’s largest green building initiative. It is home to The City’s Water Services and can accommodate approximately 800 Water Services employees, combining both field and professional staff together for the first time.

The Water Centre was carefully designed to save water, conserve energy and reduce its impact on the environment while providing occupants with a comfortable, healthy place to work.

While striving for sustainability increased initial building costs by two per cent, operating efficiencies are expected to enable the building to pay for itself in 15 years. 

What is LEED?

LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a voluntary green building rating program. Developed and administered by the United States Green Building Council, Leed was created to limit the negative environmental and human impacts of conventional buildings by promoting the design and construction of environmentally sustainable buildings. The consensus-based, market-driven program is based on existing, proven technology. The Canada Green Building Council has exclusive rights to implement LEED in Canada.

More than 91 per cent of construction materials used were recycled. Wood was purchased under the Forestry Stewardship Council Program and all 700,000 kg of steel rebar was recycled. Fly ash was used as an additive in the concrete.

Wheatboard from Saskatchewan was used in millwork construction and replaced wood in interior railings.

The Water Centre has been designed to have minimal impact on the environment by incorporating innovative ways to use less energy, minimal water, and recycled materials wherever possible; to generate less waste throughout construction; and to provide a healthy and dynamic working environment for City employees.

At a glance

• 100 per cent day lit.
• 95 per cent recycling rate of excess construction material
• 72 per cent reduction in waste water.
• 59 per cent reduction in water use.
• 58 per cent savings in annual energy consumption, roughly saving $108,000 per year.
• Reduction of 800 metric tones of CO 2 equivalent to roughly 430 hot air balloons.

The Water Centre was built on the Manchester Yards site, a brownfield site that was remediated to clean up the soil.

Calgary is the first municipality in North America to achieve a corporate-wide ISO 14001 registration. The City of Calgary’s ISO 14001 registered EnviroSystem provides the framework to manage The City’s environmental impacts.  The EnviroSystem is the cornerstone of the City’s Environmental Policy and is used to evaluate achievements of the annual Environmental Action Plan.

More images of the Calgary Water Centre are available here