Learn how low-flow toilet fixtures and non-potable water use for building interiors fall under the LEED Water Efficiency category. Optimize your project’s water use.
Table of Contents
Question
The project team wants to use low-flow toilet fixtures and integrate non-potable water strategies for the building interior. Which category does this strategy fall under?
A. Innovation
B. Water Efficiency
C. Sustainable Sites
D. Optimized Process Water Use
Answer
The strategy of using low-flow toilet fixtures and integrating non-potable water for the building interior falls under:
B. Water Efficiency
Explanation
The project team’s strategy of using low-flow toilet fixtures and integrating non-potable water strategies for the building interior falls under the Water Efficiency category. The Water Efficiency category addresses the conservation and management of water resources in buildings and landscapes.
Using low-flow toilet fixtures reduces the amount of potable water used for flushing toilets, saving water and energy. Integrating non-potable water strategies for the building interior involves using alternative sources of water, such as rainwater, graywater, or reclaimed water, for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing or irrigation, reducing the demand for potable water and wastewater generation.
The other options are not categories that this strategy falls under. Innovation is a category that recognizes exemplary performance, innovative strategies, or pilot credits that are not covered by existing LEED credits. Sustainable Sites is a category that addresses the selection, development, and maintenance of project sites in ways that minimize environmental impacts and enhance human health and well-being. Optimized Process Water Use is not a LEED category or credit.
The Water Efficiency (WE) category in LEED focuses on reducing potable water consumption, both indoors and outdoors. It incentivizes projects to implement water conservation measures and use non-potable water sources where possible.
Using low-flow and high-efficiency plumbing fixtures is one of the key strategies promoted under WE. This includes installing toilets, urinals, showerheads, and faucets that use significantly less water than standard fixtures. For example, WaterSense labeled toilets use no more than 1.28 gallons per flush compared to 1.6 gpf for standard toilets.
Additionally, using non-potable water (such as captured rainwater, recycled greywater, or treated wastewater) for toilet flushing and other uses that don’t require potable water quality further reduces the burden on municipal water supplies. It’s common to collect and store alternative water onsite in cisterns for these non-potable applications.
The other categories listed are not directly relevant:
- Innovation is for strategies that go above and beyond LEED requirements or address sustainability issues not covered in the rating system.
- Sustainable Sites deals with the environmental impacts of site selection, development, and management.
- Optimized Process Water Use is not an official LEED category. Process water refers to water used for industrial processes and equipment, which is addressed under WE.
So in summary, low-flow fixtures and non-potable water use are core components of LEED’s Water Efficiency category and can help projects significantly reduce their water footprint.
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