Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Roo Valley Exhibits

At the Australian-themed Roo Valley, beneath a lush canopy of trees, Zoo guests experience and encounter two native Australian species–Kangaroos and Little Blue Penguins. 

Key aspects of Roo Valley include a cutting edge, 100,000 gallon rainwater reuse system, a major, multi-tiered green roof, a large geothermal system to help heat and cool the building, and many other components that were incorporated into the habitat to lessen the footprint it will have on this planet… and lower the Zoo’s utility bills!

As MEP Engineering of Record for the entire project, one aspect of the project included water main service extension to the new pool for the penguins as well as the living water for both species of animals. 

Motz designed the living water filtration and recirculation system for the entire Roo Valley project, completing backflow preventer testing, water purification testing and system pressure testing. 

This project supported the overall goal of the Cincinnati Zoo to reduce their overall water consumption to 1/5 of the level it was in 2010 and help the entire project achieve LEED Platinum Certification in March of 2021.