Conserving Water And Help Getting LEED Certification

Key Aspects of LEED Certification:

1. Environmental Impact: LEED Certification helps minimize the environmental impact of buildings by focusing on areas such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable site development, and indoor environmental quality.
2. Rating Levels: LEED offers several certification levels based on points earned in various categories. These levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, with Platinum being the highest achievement.
3. Categories: The LEED rating system evaluates buildings across several categories, including:
   • Sustainable Sites: Strategies for minimizing the impact on the surrounding environment.
   • Water Efficiency: Reducing water use and managing water resources effectively.
   • Energy and Atmosphere: Enhancing energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
   • Materials and Resources: Using sustainable materials and managing waste.
   • Indoor Environmental Quality: Improving indoor air quality and ensuring a healthy indoor environment.
   • Innovation: Implementing innovative practices and technologies in green building.
4. Certification Process: To achieve LEED Certification, a project must undergo a rigorous process that includes documenting sustainable practices, meeting specific criteria, and undergoing review by LEED professionals.
5. Global Recognition: LEED is used internationally and is recognized as a symbol of excellence in green building and sustainable design.

Overall, LEED Certification represents a commitment to environmental stewardship, resource efficiency, and healthier living environments.

To achieve further reductions beyond 30%, a combination of additional measures can be utilized. These may include implementing water-efficient technologies, utilizing alternative water sources such as rainwater, and adopting smart scheduling technologies. Examples of smart technologies include irrigation controllers that adjust watering based on weather conditions, rain sensors that prevent watering during rainfall, and rotating sprinkler nozzles that distribute water more evenly.

To effectively manage water use and ensure accurate measurement, various systems and components should be metered as follows:

1. Irrigation Systems: Meter water systems that serve at least 80% of the irrigated landscaped area. This helps in tracking and managing the water used for landscaping efficiently.
2. Indoor Plumbing Fixtures and Fittings: Meter water systems that cover at least 80% of indoor plumbing fixtures and fittings. This can be done either directly or indirectly by calculating the total water consumption of the building and grounds and subtracting other measured water uses. This approach ensures comprehensive monitoring of indoor water use.
3. Reclaimed Water: Meter the flow of reclaimed water, irrespective of the rate. If the reclaimed water system includes a makeup water connection (to replenish the reclaimed water), this connection must also be metered. This allows for accurate determination of the amount of reclaimed water used.
4. Process Water: Meter at least 80% of the expected daily water consumption for process-related uses. This includes water used for humidification, dishwashers, clothes washers, pools, and other systems that utilize process water. Accurate metering helps in managing and optimizing water use in these areas.

By implementing these metering practices, organizations can better monitor, manage, and reduce their water consumption across various systems.

To manage onsite runoff effectively, it is important to address the 95th percentile rainfall events using low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure techniques. The 95th percentile represents the amount of rainfall that is exceeded only 5% of the time, which often corresponds to the most frequent and manageable rainfall events.

To determine the 95th percentile rainfall amount, you should use daily rainfall data and follow the methodology outlined in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff Requirements for Federal Projects under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act. This approach ensures that your runoff management practices are based on accurate and comprehensive data, helping to effectively control and reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on your site.

To effectively manage onsite runoff using low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure, different strategies are recommended based on the intensity of rainfall events:

1. 98th Percentile Rainfall Events: Implement LID and green infrastructure to handle runoff from the 98th percentile rainfall events. This means managing runoff for rainfall amounts that are exceeded only 2% of the time. To determine this amount accurately, use daily rainfall data and follow the methodology specified in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Technical Guidance on Implementing the Stormwater Runoff Requirements for Federal Projects under Section 438 of the Energy Independence and Security Act.
2. 85th Percentile Rainfall Events (Zero Lot Line Projects): For urban projects with a minimum density of 1.5-floor area ratio (FAR), manage runoff for the 85th percentile of rainfall events. This involves replicating the natural hydrology of the site and using LID and green infrastructure techniques to handle runoff from rainfall events that are exceeded only 15% of the time.

These approaches ensure that stormwater management practices are tailored to the specific needs and conditions of the site, promoting effective runoff control and environmental sustainability.

1. Supplement Water Supply: In areas where groundwater is depleted or municipal water supply is unavailable, harvested rainwater can provide a reliable alternative.
2. Emergency Water Supply: During natural disasters or emergencies, such as terrorist attacks, having an onsite rainwater harvesting system ensures access to safe water when other sources may be compromised.
3. Drought Irrigation: Using harvested rainwater for irrigation during drought conditions supports plant health, helps mitigate the heat island effect, and reduces the energy needed for cooling buildings.
4. Stormwater Management: Collecting rainwater from heavy rainfall events, which might otherwise be lost to runoff, and reapplying it at a controlled infiltration rate, supports plant growth and minimizes stormwater runoff.
5. Groundwater Recharge: Rainwater harvesting systems can also be used to recharge groundwater aquifers, helping to restore and maintain groundwater levels.

By adopting these practices, you can enhance water availability, support environmental sustainability, and improve resilience against water-related challenges.