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Credit language straight from USGBC
Need to check up on the exact LEED credit language from the LEED Rating System on the fly? LEEDuser includes the verbatim language. Members get:
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20 Comments
Process water for EP point
In the Reference Guide (page 84) under WEp1, it says that process waterProcess water is used for industrial processes and building systems such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also refer to water used in operational processes, such as dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice making. appliances like dishwashers and washing machines don't count under WEp1, but may be counted under WEc2 -- but only in considering Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements.. And interestingly, this is not mentioned in the Reference Guide under WEc2.
Dan Ackerstein replied Principal, Ackerstein Sustainability, LLC Dec 23 2009
My understanding of that notation in the Reference Guide is that it allows for the consideration of exceptionally low-volume appliances in the context of an Exemplary PerformanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. credit.
However, it should not be read to *require* the inclusion of those appliances or similar in the calculations for WEp1, WEc2, or an Exemplary Performance credit. A building can certainly earn any of the above without addressing such appliances; the standard suite of fixtures are what dictate performance.
"Building Completed 1993 or Later" Tab on Graph
The graph includes a tab for buildings completed in 1993 or later. For such buildings isn't the baseline 120%, as the plumbing system for such buildings was "substantially completed in 1993 or later?" (cited language is from p. 81 of LEED reference guide).
Shouldn't the tab say "Building Completed Before 1993" or something akin to that language?
Jason Franken replied LEED Consultant, YRG sustainability Jan 29 2010
The language for this credit is notoriously confusing, so thank you for helping us to fine-tune our explanation! There are several options to document compliance with this credit depending on the age of the project building and/or plumbing system.
If your building was completed after 1/1/1993, it is assumed that it meets all relevant UPCUniform Plumbing Code/IPCInternational Plumbing Code codes and you can earn one point without performing additional calculations.
The same situation applies if all relevant building fixtures/fittings were replaced after 1/1/1993.
If your building was completed before 1993, you need to use Option 4 to analyze all of your building fixtures and use the data to calculate the potable waterPotable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems. consumption and compare it to the LEED baseline.
As you've pointed out, the baseline is calculated at 160% of UPC/IPC codes for pre-1993 fixtures and 120% for post-1993 fixtures; if your building has fixtures from before and after 1993, a weighted average is used to determine the LEED baseline.
So, the credit option is designed to help you account for older and newer fixtures and develop a comprehensive picture of potable water consumption, regardless of whether your building was completed prior to 1993.
Jean Marais replied b.i.g. Bechtold INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH Mar 11 2010
...mmm...different countries have different codes also at different times. just food for thought.
building complete 1993 or later
I am confused by the table above with the tab that says building completed 1993 or later its says the baseline is 160%, the table also has a tab that says fixtures installed after 1993 or later, and the baseline for that is 120%. If the building was completed after 93' then the fixtures would of had to be installed after 93' as well. So why are these percentages different? Could someone please explain because the above explanation does not answer my question.
Jason Franken replied LEED Consultant, YRG sustainability Mar 11 2010
Rachel, the diagram has been revised recently, so please take a look and see if it makes more sense now. The previous diagram did not accurately explain the distinction between the different baselines. You only need to think about this issue with the baseline if you're using the Option 4 compliance path and doing performance calculations and even then, the LEED credit form does all the work for you.
Buildings that were built before the Energy Policy Act of 1992 had different building codes to follow. It's assumed that they have fixtures that use more water, so LEED uses the higher baseline (160%) when performing calculations to allow them more breathing room. So, if your building is pre-1993, the higher baseline is used and if it is post-1993, the lower baseline is used. Another common scenario is a pre-1993 building that has some of the original fixtures and others that have been retrofitted in the last 15 years; in this case, the baseline is pro-rated to be somewhere between 160% and 120%, based on the relevant number of fixtures and when they were installed.
WEc2 Form
I'm having problems with the WEc2 form, I can't enter any numbers in to the form where it has zeros. Do you have to complete the WEp1 form before that form becomes active?
Jason Franken replied LEED Consultant, YRG sustainability May 06 2010
Yep, that's exactly right. The USGBC will not accept any sort of custom calculations for WEp1 so they really want to ensure that everyone uses the calculators they provide in the credit form to show that the prerequisite is met before attempting WEc2.
Grey Water for Flushing
Can we claim the savings by using Grey water for flushing in this credit?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Jun 10 2010
Yes, according to page 83 of the LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. Reference Guide, graywater1. Defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G, titled "Gray water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings," as "untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Grey water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs. It shall not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers." 2. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) defines graywater in its Appendix C, titled "Graywater Recycling Systems," as "wastewater discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry sinks." Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences with the UPC and IPC definitions can probably be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definitions as established by the authority having jurisdiction in their areas. is an implementation option for this credit.
Jean Marais replied b.i.g. Bechtold INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH Jun 11 2010
Yes, but until the last time I checked, the submittal form on LEEDonline did not accommidate this, so you can expect to submit additional information to support your claim.
Jutta Berns-Mumbi replied Aug 03 2010
we are looking at exactly the same issue and to account for this in the LEED online form, we are assigning a 0 value to the flush rate for the toilets and urinals, which use only graywater1. Defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G, titled "Gray water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings," as "untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Grey water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs. It shall not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers." 2. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) defines graywater in its Appendix C, titled "Graywater Recycling Systems," as "wastewater discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry sinks." Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences with the UPC and IPC definitions can probably be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definitions as established by the authority having jurisdiction in their areas.. I read somewhere that this is an acceptable way of approaching this, provided this claim is supplemented with additional information, which confirm this. Am I correct?
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 03 2010
In LEED-NC, you have to submit greywater or rainwater reuse as an alternative compliance path—the calculator won't accommodate them. I would guess that this is the same in EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems., and that jerry-rigging the calculator to make it do what you want will not be acceptable. But I am just guessing. Might be worth a note to GBCI via the "feedback" form.
Jutta Berns-Mumbi replied Aug 04 2010
thank you, Tristan. Have sent a message to LEED online and will provide feedback to LEEDUser, once clarified.
Jutta Berns-Mumbi replied Aug 11 2010
further to the discussion on accounting for graywater1. Defined by the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G, titled "Gray water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings," as "untreated household wastewater which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Grey water includes used water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, and water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs. It shall not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers." 2. The International Plumbing Code (IPC) defines graywater in its Appendix C, titled "Graywater Recycling Systems," as "wastewater discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers, and laundry sinks." Some states and local authorities allow kitchen sink wastewater to be included in graywater. Other differences with the UPC and IPC definitions can probably be found in state and local codes. Project teams should comply with the graywater definitions as established by the authority having jurisdiction in their areas. in WEP1 and WE2 I sent a query to LEED online. For the benefit of others, i have included below our query and the response from LEED online, which clarifies the matter:
Inquiry: around 50% of the total flush fixtures installed in the building use only non-potable reclaimed cooling tower water. Can we account for this by assigning a 0 value in the column "installed flush rate" or do we have to use an alternative compliance path?
Response: The current WE Prerequisite 1 form does not take into account the use of nonpotable waterNonpotable water: does not meet EPA's drinking water quality standards and is not approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction. Water that is unsafe or unpalatable to drink because it contains pollutants, contaminants, minerals, or infective agents.. To account for nonpotable water use, in addition to completing the tables with the occupancy, fixture, and fitting data, please use the Alternative Compliance path section of the forms (WEp1 and WEc3 if applicable) to provide additional documentation/calculations to support the additional savings claimed from non-potable water use (including but not limited to system capacity to show that the nonpotable water is sufficient to meet demand and the final water use savings percentage). By using the Alternative Compliance path section, the points documented indicated on the form will update according to the number of attempted points.
100% WATER CONSUMPTION FROM TREATED HARVESTED RAIN WATER
The project I am working on is using 100% of its water demand by collecting rain water in a man made lake in its boundary and then treating it in a water treatment facility,also in its site.Does it contribute in saying that "100% potable waterPotable water meets or exceeds EPA's drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems. demand is replaced with treated water collected by rain water harvesting" and claim points for it??
Please advice.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Jul 27 2010
Yes, I don't see any reason this can't work. Is there any concern that you have about this strategy?
ZEB Tech singapore replied ESD Consultancy, ZEB-Technology Pte Ltd Jul 29 2010
My concern is that though the water source is 'harvested rain water' which is 100% non-potable .However,when it has to be used 20% of it is still used in the same form for irrigation etc. but 80% of it is treated to be potable and then it is used.The credit requirement says that 'to maximize indoor plumbing fixture and fitting efficiency within buildings' .The reduction is not due to efficient fittings but 'rain water harvesting 'strategy.Can I claim exemplary performanceIn LEED, certain credits have established thresholds beyond basic credit achievement. Meeting these thresholds can earn additional points through Innovation in Design (ID) or Innovation in Operations (IO) points. As a general rule of thumb, ID credits for exemplary performance are awarded for doubling the credit requirements and/or achieving the next incremental percentage threshold. However, this rule varies on a case by case basis, so check the credit requirements. for this credit?Sorry about so may confusing questions.But I am really not sure how to approach it.
Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Aug 05 2010
The credit is focused on efficiency, but harvested rainwater is an allowable way of earning the credit. You should be able to earn an EP point if you meet the threshold.
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