Portland, OR. — A student intern at Portland Community College was tasked with a straightforward goal: find savings in the college’s water usage and billing. The result exceeded expectations.
Eric Brurud’s review of PCC’s water billing system produced approximately $143,000 in ongoing annual savings and $50,000 in one-time credits after he identified billing errors, streamlined accounts, and secured stormwater-related discounts. Combined with other utility cost controls, the changes prevented more than $1 million in additional utility expenses for the college this fiscal year, even as utility rates increased.
“I didn’t know how much I’d be able to move the needle,” said Brurud, a Southeast Portland resident. “I knew I was making progress, but when I finally put everything together in my end-of-year presentation, I was shocked at the total.”
Brurud is a dual-enrolled student at PCC and Portland State University, preparing to transfer into PSU’s Environmental Engineering program. He expects to graduate in Spring 2027. He joined the internship after meeting with Adam Holzschuh, PCC’s Strategic Energy Management lead, to align hands-on work with his interest in water systems and management.
“When I told Adam I wanted to focus on water, he was thrilled,” Brurud said. “He had a real need for help organizing water bills and meters, and that became the foundation for everything that followed.”
Serving as a Strategic Energy Management (SEM) associate, Brurud worked in a role funded by Energy Trust of Oregon, a position PCC has maintained since at least 2017.
“Eric’s interest in water and sewer infrastructure while pursuing a civil engineering degree stood out as an ideal way for both of us to learn more about PCC’s systems,” Holzschuh said.
Brurud began with a comprehensive cleanup of PCC’s water meter inventory, mapping meter locations and coordinating with campus staff, the Portland Water Bureau, and the Bureau of Environmental Services to document and understand billing line items across more than 60 accounts. The effort uncovered excess charges, identified eligible discounts, and flagged “dead” meters tied to demolished buildings—eliminating unnecessary fixed monthly fees.
He also helped PCC qualify for stormwater discounts through the City of Portland’s Clean River Rewards Program, which reduces charges for properties that manage rainwater on site. Brurud analyzed green space coverage, reviewed construction records, collaborated with GIS resources, and used tree-canopy tools to document eligibility and enroll applicable accounts.
One of the most significant findings involved PCC’s Cascade Campus, where the billed area was overstated by roughly 12 percent. After Brurud provided documentation, the city corrected the measurement and waived about $50,000 in backdated charges.
“Especially in the current budget environment, realizing savings is crucial,” Holzschuh said. “The dollars he found last year provide financial relief not only this year, but for years to come.”
Beyond the audit, Brurud gained experience attending construction meetings, learning capital project management, assisting with Department of Environmental Quality reporting, and collaborating with PCC’s sustainability team on environmental programs and incentives.
“This is exactly the kind of work I want to do,” Brurud said. “It’s technical, it’s collaborative, and it has a real impact on the community.”
More information about PCC’s Strategic Energy Management program is available on the college’s website.
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