Credit

Description

Prereq 1

Water Use Reduction 20%

Required

Intent: To increase water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.

Requirements: Employ strategies that in aggregate use 20% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).

Implementation: Effective ways to reduce water use include installing flow restrictors and/or reduced flow aerators on lavatory, sink and shower fixtures; installing and maintaining automatic faucet sensors and metering controls; installing low-consumption flush fixtures, such as high-efficiency water closets and urinals; installing nonwater fixtures; and collecting rainwater.

WE 1

Water Efficient Landscaping

2 or 4 points

Intent: To limit or eliminate the use of potable water or other natural surface or subsurface water resources available on or near the project site for landscape irrigation.

Requirements: Option 1 - Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a calculated midsummer baseline case. (2points)

or

Option 2 - No potable water use for irrigation or install landscaping that does not require a permanent irrigation system. Use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater or water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses. Temporary irrigation systems using potable water that are used for plant establishment are allowed only if removed within 1 year of installation. (4 points)

Implementation: Water-efficient landscaping varies with the site and region. Design landscaping with climate-tolerant plants that can survive on natural rainfall. Contour the land to direct rainwater runoff through the site and give vegetation an additional water supply. Minimize the area covered with conventional turf grass, and use technologies such as mulching and composting - practices that conserve water and help foster optimal soil conditions.

WE 2

Innovative Wastewater Technologies

2 points

Intent: To reduce wastewater generation and potable water demand while increasing the local aquifer recharge.

Requirements: Option 1 - Reduce potable water use for building sewage conveyance by 50% through the use of water conserving-fixtures or nonpotable water (captured rainwater, recycled graywater, on-site or municipally treated wastewater)

or

Option 2 - Treat 50% of wastewater on-site to tertiary standards. Treated water must be infiltrated and used on-site.

Implementation: Effective methods for reducing potable water use for sewage conveyance include installing high-efficiency and nonwater flush fixtures, collecting rainwater and reusing graywater. Graywater systems reuse the wastewater collected from sinks, showers and other sources to flush toilets and urinals and other functions that do not require potable water.

WE 3

Water Use Reduction

2-4 points

Intent: To increase water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.

Requirements: Employ strategies that in aggregate use less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).

Implementation: Effective ways to reduce water use include installing flow restrictors and/or reduced flow aerators on lavatory, sink and shower fixtures; installing and maintaining automatic faucet sensors and metering controls; installing low-consumption flush fixtures, such as high-efficiency water closets and urinals; installing nonwater fixtures; and collecting rainwater.