LEED NC Water Efficiency 5 points Slide Editor: James A LEED NC Water Efficiency 5 points Slide Editor: James A. Strapko LEED Source: www.intheleed.com

WE Credit 1.1 Water Efficient Landscaping – 50% Reduction

WE 1.1: 1 Credit Water Efficient Landscaping – 50% Reduction Quite a few credits deal with something called Graywater and Blackwater. Graywater is defined by the UPC (uniform plumbing code) as untreated wastewater that has not come in contact with toilet waste. Examples are shower water, water from sinks, bathtubs, bathroom wash basins and cloth washers. Blackwater doesn’t have a single definition that is accepted nationwide. It is basically toilet and urinal water, as well as kitchen sinks in most areas. Intention: Limit or eliminate potable water (drinking water) use for landscape irrigation. Limit or eliminate use of natural surface or subsurface water for landscape irrigation. Implementation: Consider size, growth rate, adaptability, texture, color, diversification of plant life on site Find species factor ks, density factor kd, microclimate factor km to calculate… Landscape Coefficient LK indicates water lost thru evapotranspiration Use high efficiency micro-irrigation system drip, micro misters, subsurface irrigation Instead of using potable water use: captured rainwater recycled wastewater treated water Use treated water conveyed by public agency as specifically for non-potable uses

WE 1.1: 1 Credit Water Efficient Landscaping – 50% Reduction Codes/Standards Applied: None Extra Credit: none Submittal Phase: Design Perform soil/climate analysis Ref Guide: Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation 50% from calculated mid-summer (July) baseline Specify high-efficiency irrigation equipment where irrigation is required Links from Reference Guide: Graywater Systems, Compost Toilets, & Rain Collection The Irrigation Association Texas Evapotranspiration Association Texas Water Development Board Web Site Water Wiser: The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse

WE Credit 1.2 Water Efficient Landscaping – No Potable Water or No Irrigation

WE 1.2: 1 Credit Water Efficient Landscaping – No Potable Water or No Irrigation Intention: Eliminate potable water (drinking water) use for landscape irrigation. Eliminate use of natural surface or subsurface water for landscape irrigation. Implementation: Option 1: do not use any potable water Option 2: do not use any irrigation system For landscaping, use following methods: Plant species factor: select native or adapted plants requiring low/no irrigation Captured rainwater Recycled wastewater (treated) Recycled graywater Treated water (treated and conveyed by a public agency for non-potable use) Minimize site area by: limiting turf areas using landscaping that doesn’t require permanent irrigation systems temporary irrigation ok (for plant establishment) if removed after 1 year of installation Maintain plant health by mulching , alternative mowing, composting

WE 1.2: 1 Credit Water Efficient Landscaping – No Potable Water or No Irrigation Codes/Standards Applied: None Extra Credit: Submittal Phase: Design Links from Reference Guide: Graywater Systems, Compost Toilets, & Rain Collection The Irrigation Association Texas Evapotranspiration Association Texas Water Development Board Web Site Water Wiser: The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse

WE Credit 2 Innovative Wastewater Technologies

WE 2: 1 Credit Innovative Wastewater Technologies Intention: Reduce wastewater generation Reduce potable water demand Increase the recharge of local aquifers Implementation: Treatment system cycle: transport –> store –> treat –> dispose Option 1: Reduce potable water use by 50% use water conserving fixtures reuse non-potable water for flushing reuse on-site treated water Option 2: Treat and reuse 50% of wastewater on-site (to tertiary standards) treated water must be treated by: biological systems (packaged biological nutrient removal systems) constructed wetlands high efficiency filtration system

WE 2: 1 Credit Innovative Wastewater Technologies Implementation, continued: Option 1: For calculations, input values… Occupants: students, customers, visitors, FTE Number of workdays Male to Female water usage ratio: 1 to 1 male: water closet = 1 use/day urinal = 2 use/day female: water closet = 3 use/day Fixture flowrates see ref guide for gallons per flush Compare baseline case versus design case annual water use in gallons Calculate percent reduction in water use for design case Note: refer to Reference Guide for extensive explanation and examples

WE 2: 1 Credit Innovative Wastewater Technologies Codes/Standards Applied: none Extra Credit: Reduce (option 1) or Treat (option 2) 100% (instead of 50%) of potable or wastewater, respectively Submittal Phase: design Links from Reference Guide: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment and Wildlife Habitat: 17 Case Studies

WE Credit 3.1 Water Use Reduction - 20% Reduction

WE 3.1: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 20% Reduction Credits WE 3.1 & WE 3.2 are the same except for the percent (%) reduction. If one completes the requirements and implementation for WE 3.2 - Water Use Reduction - 30%, they would also receive a point for WE 3.1. Thus, earning two points toward LEED accreditation for the project. The posts for WE 3.1 and WE 3.2 are exactly the same except for the percent reduction. Intention: Maximize water efficiency Reduce burden on municipal water supply Reduce burden on wastewater system Note: there is overlap between this credit and WEc2, which focuses on reducing wastewater volume. WEc2 Option 1 uses flow-reducing fixtures and similar calculations.

WE 3.1: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 20% Reduction Implementation: Method: Use special fixtures and sensor/metering controls. Fixture/flowrate in Gallons Per Minute [GPM] OR Gallons per Flush [GPF] Shower 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) Lavatory 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) (ultra lowflow/0.5) Kitchen Sink 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) Faucets 2.5 Aerator 2.5 Water Closet 1.6 (lowflow/1.1) Dual Flush Water Closet 1.6 (lowflow/0.8) Composting Toilet 0.0 Urinal 1 (lowflow/0.5) Non-Water Urinal 0.0

WE 3.1: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 20% Reduction For calculations, consider: DO NOT include irrigation water Only applicable for the following fixtures: water closets urinals lavatory faucets showers kitchen sinks Daily Residential Usages: 1 person 5 uses per day of flush and flow fixtures Also use high-efficiency fixtures above, dry fixtures, occupant sensors. Consider reusing stormwater and graywater for non-potable uses.

WE 3.1: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 20% Reduction Codes/Standards Applied: Energy Policy Act 1992 (different from the EPA) Extra Credit: For both WE3.1 & WE3.2: 40% (instead of 20% or 30%) reduction of water usage OR Process and non-regulated water use savings is at least 10% Submittal Phase: design Links from Reference Guide: Composting Toilet Reviews Terry Love’s Consumer Toilet Reports Water Efficiency Manual for Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Facilities Water Measurement Manual: A Water Resources Technical Publication Water Wiser: The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse

WE Credit 3.2 Water Use Reduction - 30% Reduction

WE 3.2: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 30% Reduction Credits WE 3.1 & WE 3.2 are the same except for the percent (%) reduction. Intention: Maximize water efficiency Reduce burden on municipal water supply Reduce burden on wastewater system Implementation: Method: Use special fixtures and sensor/metering controls. Fixture/flowrate in Gallons Per Minute [GPM] OR Gallons per Flush [GPF] Shower 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) Lavatory 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) (ultra lowflow/0.5) Kitchen Sink 2.5 (lowflow/1.8) Faucets 2.5 Aerator 2.5 Water Closet 1.6 (lowflow/1.1) Dual Flush Water Closet 1.6 (lowflow/0.8) Composting Toilet 0.0 Urinal 1 (lowflow/0.5) Non-Water Urinal 0.0

WE 3.2: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 30% Reduction For calculations, consider: DO NOT include irrigation water Only applicable for the following fixtures: water closets urinals lavatory faucets showers kitchen sinks Daily Residential Usages: 1 person 5 uses per day of flush and flow fixtures Also use high-efficiency fixtures above, dry fixtures, occupant sensors. Consider reusing stormwater and graywater for non-potable uses.

WE 3.2: 1 Credit Water Use Reduction – 30% Reduction Codes/Standards Applied: Energy Policy Act 1992 (different from the EPA) Extra Credit: For both WE3.1 & WE3.2: 40% (instead of 20% or 30%) reduction of water usage OR Process and non-regulated water use savings is at least 10% Submittal Phase: design Links from Reference Guide: Composting Toilet Reviews Terry Love’s Consumer Toilet Reports Water Efficiency Manual for Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional Facilities Water Measurement Manual: A Water Resources Technical Publication Water Wiser: The Water Efficiency Clearinghouse

LEED NC Water Efficiency 5 points Slide Editor: James A LEED NC Water Efficiency 5 points Slide Editor: James A. Strapko LEED Source: www.intheleed.com