Visitor Center
DC Water's Visitor Center at Blue Plains, a 30,000 square-foot environmentally friendly building, is the first stop for the more than 1,000 visitors who tour the plant each year. It houses an educational classroom, security, the Office of Marketing and Communications' community outreach team and a warehouse. The modern design incorporates recycled materials, plant life and a large wall display that explains water and wastewater collection and treatment processes.
The Visitor Center was built to LEED Silver certification standards and serves as a model for stormwater runoff reduction and energy efficiency.
Green features:
- Green roof, vegetative swales and pervious pavement for stormwater runoff reduction
- Skylights, LED lighting, and a solar array roof for energy efficiency
- Low flow plumbing
- Building materials with high recycled and recyclable content
- All wood products made from FSC Certified lumber
- Construction waste management: 88.3% of waste diverted from landfills
- Indoor air quality management
- Recycled content of the composite and metal panels
- Sustainable furniture
- Bicycle storage and changing rooms to accommodate bicycle commuters
