Water Efficiency

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Water Efficiency
Goals:
Reduce the quantity of the water needed for the
building.
Reduce municipal water supply and treatment
burden.

Water Efficiency
Credits

WE Prerequisite 1
Water Use Reduction

WE Credit 3
Water Use Reduction

NC:
REQ
SCHOOLS: REQ
CS:
REQ

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

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

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Requirements
NC, SCHOOLS & CS
Reduce building potable water use from the baseline.

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Requirements
The following fixtures, fittings and appliances are
outside the scope of the water use reduction
calculation:
Commercial Steam Cookers
Commercial Dishwashers
Automatic Commercial Ice Makers
Commercial (family-sized) Clothes Washers
Residential Clothes Washers
Standard and Compact Residential Dishwashers

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Implementation
Install flow restrictors and/or reduced flow aerators
Install and maintain automatic faucet sensors and
metering controls
Install low-flow and low-flush fixtures
Install non-water fixtures
Harvest / Collect rainwater

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

Determine the type and number of occupants.
Retain manufacturers data showing the water
consumption rates, manufacturer, and model of each
fixture and fitting.
List plumbing fixtures by usage group, if applicable.
Define any usage groups.

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

The calculated water use reduction for the project is
the difference between the calculated design case and
a baseline case.
Water use calculation is based on fixture and fitting
water consumption rates and estimated use by the
occupants
Occupants estimated use is determined by calculating
full-time equivalent (FTE) and transient occupants and
applying appropriate fixture use rates to each.

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

Fixture Usage Groups
Fixture usage groups are subsets of washroom facilities
used by different types of occupants.

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

Calculating Occupancy
NC & CS
Identify the number of building occupants by
occupancy type. In buildings with multiple shifts, use
the number of FTEs from all shifts. Include the
following
a. Full-time staff
b. Part-time staff
c. Transients (students, visitors, retail customers)
d. Residents

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

SCHOOLS
Identify the total number of building occupants for
each occupancy type. In buildings with multiple shifts,
use the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) from all
shifts.
a. Full-time staff
b. Part-time staff
c. Students
d. Transients (volunteers, visitors, etc.)

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Documentation and Calculations

NC, SCHOOLS & CS
Assume a 1-to-1 gender ratio

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Timeline and Team

Predesign
Design
Architect / Mechanical Engineer
Construction
Occupancy

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Referenced Standards
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 (and as amended)
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005

WE Prerequisite 1 & WE Credit 3

Water Use Reduction

Exemplary Performance
Prerequisite None
WE Credit 3 45%

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

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.

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Requirements
NC, SCHOOLS & CS
OPTION 1
Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a
calculated midsummer baseline case.

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Requirements
Reductions shall be attributed to any combination of
the following items:
Plant species factor
Irrigation efficiency
Use of captured rainwater
Use of recycled wastewater
Use of water treated and conveyed by a public
agency specifically for non-potable uses

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Requirements
NC, SCHOOLS & CS
OPTION 2
Do not use potable water for irrigation
AND
PATH 1
Use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater or
water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable
uses for irrigation.
OR
PATH 2
Install landscaping that does not require permanent irrigation systems.
Temporary irrigation systems used for plant establishment are allowed only if
removed within 1 year of installation

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Use native and drought-tolerant plants that can survive on
natural rainfall.
Climate Tolerate Plants
Minimize Turf
Utilize Techniques such as:
Mulching
Alternative Mowing
Composting

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Capture rainwater on-site for irrigation purposes.
Consider using for Irrigation:
Stormwater
Graywater
Condensate Water
Minimize the amount of turf and use only where needed for
recreational or pedestrian use. Turf typically requires irrigation
and creates a monoculture that does not encourage biodiversity.

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Specify high-efficiency irrigation systems, such as, drip irrigation
which delivers water to plant roots so less water is lost to
evaporation.

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Regularly monitor irrigation systems to ensure that they are
watering on desired schedules.
Do not irrigate plants during winter months.
Mulch landscaped areas to assist with water retention.

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Implementation
Good Approaches:
High-Efficiency Irrigation Strategies
Micro-irrigation systems
Moisture sensors
Rain shut-offs
Weather-based evapotranspiration controllers
Drip systems use 30% - 50% less water than sprinklers

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Implementation
Good Approaches:
Rainwater Collection
Cisterns
Underground Tanks
Ponds
Rain Barrels

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Implementation
Good Approaches:
Rainwater Collection
Roofs
Plazas
Paved Areas

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Implementation
Good Approaches:
Wastewater Recovery
On-site
Municipal
On-Site:
Graywater
Wastewater Treatment

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Good Approaches:
Wastewater Recovery
On-site
Municipal
On-Site:
Graywater
Wastewater Treatment

Graywater:
Wastewater from:
Sinks
Showers
Washing Machines
Cooling Tower
Condensation from AC Systems

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Implementation
Good Approaches:
Wastewater Recovery
On-site
Municipal
On-Site:
Graywater
Wastewater Treatment

Graywater:
Wastewater from:
Sinks
Showers
Washing Machines
Cooling Tower
Condensation from AC Systems
No Human Waste or Food Processing

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Documentation and Calculations

Perform calculations of the baseline and design case to
show the percentage reduction in water demand, and
report what portion of irrigation will come from each
nonpotable source (if any).
Prepare a landscape plan showing a planting schedule
and irrigation system.

WE Credit 1

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Water Efficient Landscaping

Documentation and Calculations

Baseline Case vs Design Case
For each Landscape Area:
Calculate KL

Determine ET0 for your region (July)

Calculate ETL
KL Landscape Coefficient
Ks Species Factor
Kd Density Factor
Kmc Microclimate Factor

KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
ETL [in] = ET0 x KL

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
ETL = ET0 X KL
BLDG

KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
ETL = ET0 X KL
Which two variables remain constant when calculating the design and baseline cases?

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
ETL = ET0 X KL
BLDG

KL = Ks x Kd x Kmc
ETL = ET0 X KL
Which two variables remain constant when calculating the design and baseline cases?

Kmc & ET0

WE Credit 1

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Water Efficient Landscaping

Baseline Case TWA [gal]
Design Case TWA [gal]
Percent Reduction of Potable Water

Baseline H20

% Reduction

Design H20
% Reduction = 100 x [1 Design H20 /Baseline H20]

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

Timeline and Team

Predesign
Architect / Mechanical Engineer / Civil Engineer
Design
Construction
Occupancy

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Referenced Standards
None

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 1
Water Efficient Landscaping

Exemplary Performance
None

NC:
2-4 pts
SCHOOLS: 2-4 pts
CS:
2-4 pts

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

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

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Requirements
OPTION 1
Reduce potable water use for sewage conveyance by 50%
through water conserving fixtures (water closets, urinals) or nonpotable water (captured rainwater, recycled graywater, and onsite or municipally treated wastewater).
OR
OPTION 2
Treat 50% of wastewater on-site to tertiary standards. Treated
water must be used on-site or infiltrated.

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Implementation
Specify:
High Efficiency Fixtures
low flow
dual flush
Dry Fixtures
composting toilets
non-water urinals

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Implementation
Reuse for sewage conveyance:
Stormwater
Graywater

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Implementation
Consider:
On-site wastewater treatment

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Implementation
Consider:
Constructed Wetlands

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Implementation
Consider:
High-efficiency Filtration Systems

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Documentation and Calculations

Option 1:
Using the WE Prerequisite 1 calculations, determine the baseline
and design case of only the flush fixtures, to determine whether
potable water consumption is reduced by 50%.
Option 2:
Determine the amount of wastewater compared with the
capacity of the wastewater treatment system available.
Compile information about system schematics and the capacity
of any rainwater of graywater systems.

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Documentation and Calculations

Plumbing Drawings of on-site wastewater treatment facilities
Calculated occupants [ Default 1 to 1]
Calculated Baseline Water usage
Calculated Design Water Usage
Provide:
Fixture Manufacturer
Fixture Model
Flush Rate in gallons per flush [GPF]

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Documentation and Calculations

Total non-potable water for sewage conveyance [gal] (if using)
If treating wastewater provide the annual quantity (gal) of:
Water treated
Treated water infiltrated
Treated water that is re-used on site
Narrative describing potable water reduction strategies
employed by the project.

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Documentation and Calculations

OPTION 1
Full Time Equivalent - FTE
Transient Building Occupants daily average
Baseline Case
Use Energy Policy Act of 1992 for Fixture Flush Rates
Design Case
Actual WC & Urinals Specified

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Documentation and Calculations

Assumptions
50% males & 50% females
Daily Uses:
Males
WC
Urinal
Females
WC

1 use
2 uses
3 uses

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Documentation and Calculations

Energy Policy Act of 1992
Flush Rate for Fixtures:
Conventional Water Closet
Conventional Urinal

1.6 GPF
1.0 GPF

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

Documentation and Calculations

Commercial Building - 14 FTE
Baseline
WC, Women 3 x 1.6 GPF x 7
WC, Men
1 x 1.6 GPF x 7
Urinal, Men 2 x 1.0 GPF x 7
TPW daily
Design
WC, Women 3 x 1.1 GPF x 7
WC, Men
1 x 1.1 GPF x 7
Urinal, Men 2 x 0.0 GPF x 7
TPW daily

=
=
=
=

33.6 gal
11.2 gal
14.0 gal
58.8 gal

=
=
=
=

23.1 gal
7.7 gal
0.0 gal
30.8 gal

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Documentation and Calculations

Commercial Building - 14 FTE
Baseline
WC, Women 3 x 1.6 GPF x 7
WC, Men
1 x 1.6 GPF x 7
Urinal, Men 2 x 1.0 GPF x 7
TPW daily
Design
WC, Women 3 x 1.1 GPF x 7
WC, Men
1 x 1.1 GPF x 7
Urinal, Men 2 x 0.0 GPF x 7
TPW daily

=
=
=
=

33.6 gal
11.2 gal
14.0 gal
58.8 gal

=
=
=
=

23.1 gal
7.7 gal
0.0 gal
30.8 gal

% Reduction
= 100 x (1 30.8/58.8)
= 47.6%

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Documentation and Calculations

OPTION 2
Annual Volume of Sewage Generated
Annual Volume of Wastewater Treated and Reused and/or
infiltrated On-Site
Calculate the percent reduction of wastewater that is released
into the municipal sewer system.

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Timeline and Team

Predesign
Architect /Mechanical Engineer / Civil Engineer
Design
Construction
Occupancy

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Referenced Standards
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 (and as amended)
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 2005
The 2006 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code or
International Plumbing Code

WE Credit 2
Innovative Wastewater Technologies

NC:
2 points
SCHOOLS: 2 points
CS:
2 points

Exemplary Performance
100% reduction in potable water use for sewage
conveyance
OR
On-site treatment and re-use/infiltration of 100% of
generated wastewater

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

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

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Requirements
SCHOOLS
To receive this credit, buildings must have the
following:
No refrigeration equipment using once-through cooling
with potable water
No garbage disposals

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Requirements
At least 4 process items where water use is at or below the levels shown in
the table below. Inclusion of any equipment not listed in the table below
must be supported by documentation showing a 20% reduction in water use
from a benchmark or industry standard.

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Implementation
Assess all water-using process equipment within the
school and select water-efficient options.

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Documentation and Calculations

Retain manufacturers' data showing the water
consumption rates, manufacturer, and model of each
appliance.
Assemble information about the baseline water use
based on industry standards for any equipment that is
not listed in the credit requirements.

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Timeline and Team

Predesign
Design
Architect /Mechanical Engineer / Project Owner
Construction
Occupancy

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

Referenced Standards
None

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

WE Credit 4
Process Water Use Reduction

NC:
NA
SCHOOLS: 1 point
CS:
NA

Exemplary Performance
Projects may earn an innovation credit for exemplary
performance by demonstrating a projected process
water saving of 40%.