Learn about water efficiency in LEED certification, including how flow fixtures like faucets and showerheads are measured in gallons or liters per minute to conserve water.
Table of Contents
Question
Relating to water efficiency in LEED. gallons per minute or liters per minute refers to the amount of
A. stormwater runoff
B. captured rainwater
C. water used by flow fixtures
D. water used by flush fixtures
Answer
C. water used by flow fixtures
Explanation
Gallons per minute or liters per minute refers to the amount of water used by flow fixtures in LEED. Flow fixtures are fixtures that deliver a constant stream of water, such as faucets, showerheads, or hose bibs. The flow rate of these fixtures is measured in gallons per minute (gpm) or liters per minute (L/min), which indicates how much water flows through them in a given time period. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving water efficiency is to “use low-flow faucets and showerheads (maximum 2.5 gpm at 80 psi)”.
In the context of water efficiency in LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per minute (LPM) refers to the flow rate of water-using fixtures like faucets and showerheads. These are known as “flow fixtures” because they control the continuous flow of water when turned on.
LEED aims to reduce water consumption in buildings by setting maximum flow rates for these fixtures. For example, LEED may require faucets to have a flow rate of no more than 1.5 GPM and showerheads no more than 2.0 GPM. Using low-flow fixtures conserves water compared to conventional higher-flow fixtures.
In contrast:
A. Stormwater runoff is precipitation that flows over land. While managing runoff is important in LEED, it is not measured in GPM/LPM.
B. Captured rainwater is water collected from roof runoff. It can be reused for irrigation or flushing toilets to reduce potable water use, but its volume is measured in total gallons/liters, not GPM/LPM flow rates.
D. Flush fixtures like toilets and urinals use a set amount of water per flush, measured in gallons per flush (GPF) or liters per flush (LPF), not a continuous flow rate.
So in summary, GPM and LPM specifically describe the flow rate of water-using fixtures like faucets and showerheads, which LEED aims to make more efficient to conserve water in buildings. The flow rate of these fixtures is a key consideration in the Water Efficiency category of LEED certification.
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