LEED® How To Achieve Water Efficient Credits

LEED®

How To Achieve Water Efficient Credits

• World population is expected to increase from 5.9 billion to 8.9 billion by 2050

• By 2025, it is estimated that 3 billion people will live in cities that are considered “water stressed” based on their population to water ratio

• Climatic changes are estimated to change the availability of fresh water

• Ground water is being used at rates higher than the capacity for recharge

Water Supply vs. Water Demand

Water Conservation and Irrigation Efficiency

Effects of Irrigation Water

• Landscape irrigation can increase average water use by over 100% during the hottest seasons.

• Water demand, water quality and habitat protection issues make water supplies more expensive and difficult to find.

• Typical Irrigation systems do not conserve water.

Evaluates environmental performance from a whole building perspective over a building’s life cycle

Applies only to projects, not products or services

»www.usgbc.org

LEED® Rating Systems

– LEED for Existing Buildings – LEED for New Construction – LEED for Commercial Interiors – LEED for Core and Shell – LEED for Schools– LEED for Retail– LEED for Healthcare– LEED for Homes– LEED for Homes – Midrise Multi-family– LEED for Neighborhoods

Additional LEED® Rating Systems with WE Points

Those following the same WE requirements as LEED for New ConstructionLEED for Commercial InteriorsLEED for Core and ShellLEED for SchoolsLEED for Retail (not released)LEED for Healthcare (not released)

LEED for New Construction Point Categories

(10 pts.)Water

Efficiency

(15 pts.)Indoor

Environmental Quality

(26 pts.)Sustainable

Sites(35 pts.)Energy &

Atmosphere

(14 pts.)Materials & Resources

Innovation & Design Process: 5 pointsLEED Accredited Professional: 1 pointRegional Priority: 4 points

Categories for LEED for New Construction

Total of 10 possible points in Water Efficiency (WE) category

Category includes:– WE Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping (4 points)– WE Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies

(2 point)– WE Credit 3: Water Use Reduction 30% Reduction

(2-4 points)

– WE Credit 1.1: Reduce by 50% (2 Points)– WE Credit 1.2: No Potable Water Use or No

Irrigation (2 Points in addition to WE Credit 1.1)

WE Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping (4 points)

WE Credit 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping:Reduce by 50% (2 Points)

IntentLimit 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.

RequirementsReduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a calculated mid-summer baseline case.Reductions shall be attributed to any combination of the following items:

– Plant species, density and microclimate 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

Groundwater seepage that is pumped away from the immediate vicinity of building slabs and foundations can be used for landscape irrigation to meet the intent of this credit. However, it must be demonstrated that doing so does not affect site stormwater management systems.

WE Credit 1.1: Water Efficient Landscaping:Reduce by 50% (2 Points)

Potential Strategies

Use most appropriate plant material for the project climateUse native or adapted plants to reduce or eliminate irrigation Use high-efficiency equipment when irrigation is requiredUse climate-based controllers

Case Study 1

Social Sciences BuildingLewis & Clark College

Portland, OR

LEED GoldLandscape Architect: WalkerMacy

Social Sciences Building - LEED GoldIntegrated Stormwater / Irrigation System

Lewis & Clark CollegeLewis & Clark College

LEED GoldIntegrated Stormwater / Irrigation System

Social Sciences Building – Lewis & Clark CollegeSocial Sciences Building – Lewis & Clark College

Native and adaptive plantings allow for a reduced irrigation schedule

Lawn areas have been minimized



• x On-Site roof water is collected, drained, and stored in the water quality gardens surrounding the social sciences building







Central Control using evapotranspirationET


Strategy to achieve 50% reduction

Minimize Lawn

Use drought tolerant plants

Re-use storm water

Irrigation management with central control using ET

Optimize system efficiency using proper design and products such as PRS and drip equipment


Proving Water Use Reduction

LEED Water Calculator

PRS Calculator

Case Studies


Tool to compare:– stereotypical plant and irrigation system

vs.– using drought tolerant plants and water efficient irrigation

technology

Accounts for vegetation, microclimates, and irrigation method

Compares Baseline Case to Design Case

Can be used to demonstrate your system design reduces potable water use by 50% over baseline case.



WE Credit 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping:No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation(2 Points in addition to WE Credit 1.1)

IntentEliminate the use of potable water, or other natural surface or subsurface water resources available on or near the project site, for landscape irrigation.

RequirementsAchieve WE Credit 1.1 AND:

OPTION 1Use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled greywater, or water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for non-potable uses for irrigation.

OROPTION 2

Install landscaping that does not require permanent irrigation systems. Temporary irrigation systems used for plant establishment are allowed only if removed within one year of installation.– If the Percent Reduction of Potable Water is 100% AND the Percent Reduction of Total– Water is equal to or greater than 50%, WE Credit 1.2 is earned in addition to WE Credit

1.1.

WE Credit 1.2: Water Efficient Landscaping:No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation(2 Points in addition to WE Credit 1.1)

Potential Technologies & StrategiesPerform a soil/climate analysis to determine appropriate landscape types and design the landscape with indigenous plants to reduce or eliminate irrigation requirements. Consider using stormwater, greywater, and/or condensate water for irrigation.

Case Study 2

Hillsdale LibraryPortland, OR

LEED SilverLandscape Architect: WalkerMacy

LEED GoldPreservation of Existing Vegetation / No permanent Irrigation

Hillsdale Library

Hillsdale Library Hillsdale Library

Designed for LEED SilverPreservation of Existing Vegetation / No permanent Irrigation





WE Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies (2 points)

OPTION 1Reduce potable water use for building sewage by 50% by using water-conserving fixtures or non-potable water (captured rainwater, recycled greywater, and on-site or municipally treated wastewater).

OR

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

Innovative Wastewater TechnologiesReclaimed Water

90% of water used for irrigation is recycled

Higher levels of chlorine in reclaimed water systems

LEGOLANDCarlsbad, CA

Innovative Wastewater TechnologiesCaptured Storm-water

StorageFilterPumpMeterLow Volume Irrigation

WE Credit 3: Water Use Reduction (2-4 points)

WE Prerequisite 1: Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction is REQUIREDEmploy strategies that in aggregate use 30%-40% (2-4 points) less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).

30% reduction, 2 points35% reduction, 3 points40% reduction, 4 points

RP Credit 1: Regional Priority Credit (1–4 Points)

IntentTo provide incentive for the achievement of credits that address geographically-specific environmental priorities.

RequirementsEarn one of the six Regional Priority credits – to a maximum of 4 credits per project

Credits identified as having additional regional environmental importance by the USGBC Regional Councils and Chapters for the project’s location.

RP Credit 1: Regional Priority Credit (1–4 Points)

North Texas Chapter Long Island Chapter

West Michigan Chapter North Florida Chapter Kentucky Chapter Delaware Valley Green Building Council

Vermont Green Building Network North Carolina Triangle Chapter Kansas City Chapter Connecticut State Chapter

Utah Chapter New York Upstate Chapter James River Green Building Council Colorado Chapter

U.S. Caribbean Chapter New York Chapter Iowa Chapter Cincinnati Regional Chapter

St. Louis Regional Chapter New Mexico Chapter Inland Empire Chapter Chihuahuan Desert Chapter

Southwest Virginia Chapter New Jersey Chapter Indiana Chapter Chicago Chapter

South Florida Chapter Nevada Chapter Idaho Chapter Charlotte Region Chapter

South Carolina Chapter National Capital Region Chapter Heart of Florida Chapter Central Texas-Balcones Chapter

San Diego Chapter Montana Chapter Hawaii Chapter Central Illinois Chapter

Rhode Island Chapter Missouri Heartland Chapter Hampton Roads Green Building Council Central Florida Chapter

Redwood Empire Chapter Mississippi Headwaters (MN) Chapter Greater Houston Area Chapter Central California Chapter

Piedmont Triad (NC) Chapter Mississippi Chapter Georgia Chapter Cascadia Region Green Building Council

Orange County Chapter Middle Tennessee Chapter Florida Gulf Coast Chapter CA Central Coast Chapter (C4)

Oklahoma Chapter Memphis Regional Chapter Florida Capital Region Chapter Baltimore Regional Chapter

Northwest Ohio Chapter Maine Chapter Flatwater Chapter Arkansas Chapter

Northern Gulf Coast Chapter Louisiana Chapter East Tennessee Chapter Arizona Chapter

Northern California Chapter Los Angeles Chapter Detroit Regional Chapter Alabama Chapter

74 Regional Chapters in U.S.


LEED for Existing BuildingsWE Credit 1: Water Performance Measurement (2 points)

WE Credit 1.1: Have in place a permanently installed water meter that measures total water use for the entire building and associated grounds (1 point)WE Credit 1.2: Meet the requirement for WE 1.1 and have in place permanently installed water sub-meter serving at least 80% of the irrigated landscape area on the grounds excluding “non-routine” irrigated areas. (1 point)


LEED for Existing BuildingsWE Credit 3: Water Efficient Landscaping (3 points)

WE Credit 3.1: 50% reduction in potable water use for irrigation over conventional means of irrigation (1 point)WE Credit 3.2: 75% reduction in potable water use for irrigation over conventional means of irrigation (2 points)WE Credit 3.3: 100% reduction in potable water use for irrigation over conventional means of irrigation (3 points)

Other Credits Associated with Irrigation

ID Credit 1: Innovation in Design (1-5 points)

Points for exceptional innovative performance

Example: Instructional educational program, manual or outreach program/tour that includes on-site signage which calls attention to water-conserving landscape features

Other Credits Associated with Irrigation

ID Credit 2: LEED Accredited Professional (1 point) At least one principal participant of the project team shall be a LEED Accredited Professional (AP).

MR Credit 5.1/5.2: Materials and Resources (Recycled Content) (1-2 points)Use materials with recycled content

Example: Rain Bird’s black valve box bodies and black lids contain 100% recycled HDPE (high-density polyethylene) to qualify for this credit.

Recycled MaterialValve Boxes

Points for Recycled material

Cumulative for project

Based on percentage of overall material costs

Rain Bird products & LEED

Improve Irrigation Efficiency

Landscapes are over watered– Distribution

Improve uniformity

– ControlSmart Control Reduce Water Waste

Key Technologies to Conserve Water

6. Durability / Low Maintenance to Perform as Specified

Technology for long life and low maintenance

5. Low Volume and Direct to Root

Landscape Drip

Root Watering Series

4. High-Efficiency Nozzles

U-Series

Rotary Nozzle

MPR

Rain Curtain

3. Pressure Regulation

PRS Sprays & Rotors

PRS Swing Joint

PRS-Dial

Booster Pumps

2. Flow Sensing and Leak Detection/ Prevention

Central Control

SAM Check Valves

1. Operates Based on Weather and Evapotranspiration (ET)

Central Controls

ET Manager

Keys to Demonstrating Water Conservation

4. Low Volume and Direct to Root

Landscape Drip

Root Watering Series

3. Pressure Regulation

PRS Sprays & Rotors

PRS Swing Joint

PRS-Dial

Booster Pumps

2. High-Efficiency Nozzles

U-Series

Rotary Nozzle

MPR

Rain Curtain

1. Operates Based on Weather and Evapotranspiration (ET)

Central Controls

ET Manager

Central Control–Multi-Site Control System

MaxicomSiteControlIQ

A simple, low-cost means to use weather data to automatically control irrigation for any sprinkler system.

Smart Stand Alone Clocks ET Manager™

+ +

Sensor = Automatic shut off during rainfall

Gauge = Measures quantity of rainfall

Rain Measurement vs.

Rain Shut-off

Rain Sensor

Rain Gauges

The Mysterious CE NumberController efficiency can vary widely

Use manufacturer site reports to justify

0

5,000,000

10,000,000

15,000,000

20,000,000

2000 2001 2002 2003

JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember

2000 Total: 55.0 Million

Gallons


Gallons


Gallons


Gallons

Gal

lons

U

sed

2 year savings approx.

56 million gallons(42%)

Inland Empires Utility AgencyChino, CA – LEED Platinum

http://www.rainbird.com/landscape/site_reports/index.htm

Low Volume Irrigation

•Drip Irrigation Achieves 90% efficiency

•Square foot per square foot this equals about 31% improvement over conventional

Managing PressurePRS -Pressure Regulating System

1800 PRS SeriesEnsures optimal performance at 30 PSI

Eliminates fogging & misting

Restricts water loss by 70% if the nozzle is damaged or removed

PRS Calculator

http://www.rainbird.com/calculators/4steps.htm

PRS Calculator

http://www.rainbird.com/calculators/4steps.htm

Pressure regulating swing joints

Factory set at:

– ¾” @ 45 PSI

– 1” @ 70 PSI

PRS Swing Joints

Regulates from 15 to 100 psi at ± 3 psi accuracyAdjustment knob with detents permit fine tune adjustments in 1/3 psi increments

PRS-Dial Pressure Regulator

Low Pressure “Donuts” - no close-in watering

Pressure = Efficient Performance

Don’t run zones longer to compensate for poor efficiency

Provide enough pressure

Variable Frequency Drives = Energy Efficient

Properly sized pump stations operate efficiently

Catch Can TestingWater Audits

Good Square Spacing –Low Pressure (SC=2.2)

U-Series Nozzles Use 30% less water*

Patented dual-orifice delivers most uniform coverage Highly efficient distributionSuperior close-in watering

Shorter run times

Low precip. rate of 0.60 in/hr

Higher Efficiency: 0.75

Matched precipitation rate (MPR) with 5000 Plus MPR Nozzles

Rotary Nozzle

Your local Rain Bird representative.

More training with Rain Bird Academy: www.rainbird.com/training

Rain Bird Catalog: www.rainbird.com

CAD Details: www.rainbird.comWater Saving Calculators: www.rainbird.com

Local USGBC Chapter

LEED Training Courses www.gbci.org

LEED Online V3 www.leedonline.org– requires account to log-in.

Case Studies, Economic Analyses, White Papers on USGBC Website: www.usgbc.org

World Green Building Council: www.worldgbc.org

LEED Resources

Summary

ET management of irrigation controllers provide highest degree of system control

Rain gauges are necessary for accurate ET based irrigation control

Proper pressure – not too high or too low is necessary for optimum efficiency

Rotors and rotary nozzles achieve most efficient broadcast irrigation coverage

Drip irrigation provides the highest degree of efficiency

Water Conservation & Quality Protection

Documents

LEED® How To Achieve Water Efficient Credits