EBOM 2009 WEc3: Water Efficient Landscaping

Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Oct 20 2009

Patrick, good question. You can find information about the eligibility requirements in the Rating System language (see p. 101 of the Reference Guide). Basically, it states that your site has to contain some vegetation (at least 5% of the building site area) in order to be eligible.

Jenny Carney replied Director, YRG sustainability Nov 15 2009

Good news, Kathy. There's a compliance path for just this type of situation. As long as the property's landscaped area is equal to at least 5% of the total site area, the Rating System and other documents state you are eligible for the credit. If the project is registered, check out the form in LEED Online for how to document compliance based on zero use of irrigation (and if it's not registered yet, it's a good idea to do so and always look at the submittal forms early on to get a full sense of the compliance and documentation options).

Another thing to note - you'll need to make sure there's no regular hand watering going on, as sometimes even if there's not a permanent irrigation system the grounds are still regularly watered.

Corinna Kester replied Consultant, Sustainable Buildings and Operations, KEMA Mar 07 2010

Jeff -

Unfortunately, I don't think your well system will comply with this credit under Option 4.

If you look at the intent of the credit, it says "To limit or eliminate the use of 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. or other natural surface or subsurface resources available on or near the project site for landscape irrigation." Your well system would certainly fall under "natural surface or subsurface resources available on or near the project site." This is further reinforced on the v2008 Template, as Option 4 requires you to certify that your irrigation system does not use "natural surface or subsurface water."

Unfortunately, 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. is not clearly defined in the "Definitions" section of this credit, but p. 103 of the LEED Reference Guide for Green Building Operations and Maintenance describes it as "rainwater, 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., or reclaimed water", and some examples are given in the text.

Jean Marais replied b.i.g. bechtold INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT MBH Mar 08 2010

As Corinna mentioned, LEED does mention "natural surface" or other "subsurface" resources. Many such sources are potable. Well water for example is often very brackish (hard, full of calcium), but technically still fit for human consumption. I don't think LEED is refering to using non-potable subsurface or surface water. The intent is to reduce the demand on our 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. supply infrastructure as well as reducing the loads on our aquifers.

Tristan Roberts replied Editor – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, LLC Mar 17 2010

Rashid, there is no path associated with this credit for not having an irrigation system. Perhaps you are thinking of the NC version?

I think you may be able to earn several points here but you will have to follow one of the three options given for the credit.

RASHID HAMEEN replied Mar 18 2010

Thanks for the replies,

We are not in the version of NC as our facility was built few years ago. We do not have any mechanical systems and as i have mentioned we only use manual watering then and there only in the times of dry days.

Corinna Kester replied Consultant, Sustainable Buildings and Operations, KEMA Mar 19 2010

Tristan and Rashid -

There is no path outlined in the Reference Guide for buildings without a permanent irrigation system; however, there is such a path listed on the Template (both v2008 and v2009). As documentation, you must upload a signed statement "from the facility manager, property manager, or property owner stating that there is no permanent irrigation system installed on the grounds and that temporary or hand-watering occurs only on an as-needed basis and only during periods of drought or for the establishment of new plantings."

The key for you, Rashid, will be proving that watering only occurs on rare occasions, during periods of drought or for the establishment of new plantings. If you water by hand regularly (say weekly or bi-weekly), then this would definitely not be considered "only on an as-needed basis".