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Credit language straight from USGBC
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NC 2009 WEc2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies
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6 Comments
RO Reject Water
My understanding of this is that RO reject water that is not considered potable by EPA standards could work. For example many lab projects require RO water for their work. This RO reject water can be treated on-site and get used for flush fixtures. This would also satisfy the credit correct?
Andrea Traber replied Director, Sustainable Buildings and Operations, KEMA Feb 23 2010
Yes, this would satisfy the credit since it is replacing 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.. More importantly, you will also want to check your local plumbing code which can be more problematic.
Since RO (reverse osmosis) reject water is higher up “water quality chain” because it is considered at least as clean as potable water you might consider additional reclaimed water uses that need higher quality water.
Calculating FTE for WEc2 & WEc3
This question is about calculating FTEFull-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant who spends 8 hours a day (40 hours a week) in the project building. Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per day divided by 8 (or hours per week divided by 40). Transient Occupants can be reported as either daily totals or as part of the FTE. Residential occupancy should be estimated based on the number and size of units. Core and Shell projects should refer to the default occupancy table in the Reference Guide appendix. All occupant assumptions must be consistent across all credits in all categories. for WEc2 & WEc3 under NC2.2.
In the design review of our project, GBCI has told us we should be using "typical/average daily occupancy" to calculate the FTE/
Transient occupancy for these 2 credits. We thought we were. We have
36 full time employees (50/50 male/female) plus 142 employees that
are in the office for an hour in the morning and an hour at the end
of the day (100 male plus 42 female). These employees consist of
delivery drivers and the outside sales force. We entered these 142
employees in the table under "Student/Visitor" in lieu of equating
them to FTE's so they will not be included in a group that calculates
shower and kitchen sink usage since they do not use these. Are we
calculating this correctly (as "typical/average daily occupancy")?
If not, how should we be calculating it? Thank you!
Andrea Traber replied Director, Sustainable Buildings and Operations, KEMA Mar 17 2010
In my humble opinion you are calculating transient occupancy correctly and classifying them logically as visitors for the reasons you state. However, since they are technically employees, not visitors, this may be the cause for the comment. Often providing a detailed narrative explaining your logic, calculations and approach are helpful to clarify situations that don't follow state requirements exactly. You might also try the calculation converting them to FTEs to determine impact. I suggest a conversation with your review team through the portal prior to re-submitting.
Septic Systems
Do septic systems count as on-site wastewater treatment? Our automotive dealership project will treat 100% of their wastewater via a septic system. Floor drains in shop areas will go through an oil/water separator and then into an underground collection tank for later removal by a tanker truck.
Andrea Traber replied Director, Sustainable Buildings and Operations, KEMA Mar 17 2010
Septic systems do count as on-site wastewater treatment, however, for WEc2 purposes you still need to reduce potable waste water quantities for flushing by 50% through standard methods like waterless and ultra-low flow fixtures, or by using recycled grey water, captured rainwater or municipal reclaimed water. Typically, septic systems do not provide a source of tertiary treated grey water for reuse, though you may be able to incorporate this feature in your septic system.
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