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LEED v2009
Schools
Water Efficiency
Water Efficient Landscaping

LEED CREDIT

Schools-2009 WEc1: Water Efficient Landscaping 2-4 points

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

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LEEDuser expert

Susann Geithner

Dipl. Ing (FH), MSc., LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ID+C, WELL AP

Emerald Built Environments
Principal

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Credit language

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

OPTION 1: Reduce by 50% (2 points)
Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a calculated midsummer baseline case or using the month with the highest irrigation demand. Reductions must be attributed to any combination of the following items:
  • Plant species, density and microclimate factor
  • Irrigation efficiency
  • Use of captured rainwater
  • Use of recycled wastewater
  • Use of water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses
Groundwater seepage that is pumped away from the immediate vicinity of building slabs and foundations may be used for landscape irrigation to meet the intent of this credit. However, the project team must demonstrate that doing so does not affect site stormwater management systems.

OR

Option 2: No potable water use or irrigation1 (4 points)
Meet the requirements for Option 1.

AND

PATH 1
Use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater or water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses for irrigation.

OR

PATH 2
Install landscaping that does not require permanent irrigation systems. Temporary irrigation systems used for plant establishment are allowed only if removed within a period not to exceed 18 months of installation.
SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.
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Frequently asked questions

Can non-potable well water that is used for irrigation contribute to potable water reduction?

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Can surface water, such as water from an irrigation ditch or a local creek, be used as nonpotable water?

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Do interior planters count in the calculation?

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We are using non-potable water for irrigation. For drought conditions, can we hook up to a potable water source for backup and still earn this credit?

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Documentation toolkit

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Credit achievement rate

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

LEEDuser expert

Susann Geithner

Dipl. Ing (FH), MSc., LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ID+C, WELL AP

Emerald Built Environments
Principal

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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

OPTION 1: Reduce by 50% (2 points)
Reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% from a calculated midsummer baseline case or using the month with the highest irrigation demand. Reductions must be attributed to any combination of the following items:
  • Plant species, density and microclimate factor
  • Irrigation efficiency
  • Use of captured rainwater
  • Use of recycled wastewater
  • Use of water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses
Groundwater seepage that is pumped away from the immediate vicinity of building slabs and foundations may be used for landscape irrigation to meet the intent of this credit. However, the project team must demonstrate that doing so does not affect site stormwater management systems.

OR

Option 2: No potable water use or irrigation1 (4 points)
Meet the requirements for Option 1.

AND

PATH 1
Use only captured rainwater, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater or water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses for irrigation.

OR

PATH 2
Install landscaping that does not require permanent irrigation systems. Temporary irrigation systems used for plant establishment are allowed only if removed within a period not to exceed 18 months of installation.
SITES-LEED Equivalency
This LEED credit (or a component of this credit) has been established as equivalent to a SITES v2 credit or component. For more information on using the equivalency as a substitution in your LEED or SITES project, see this article and guidance document.

XX%

Upgrade to LEEDuser Premium to see how many projects achieved this credit. Try it free »

Got the gist of WEc1 but not sure how to actually achieve it? LEEDuser gives step-by-step help. Premium members get:

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In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:

  • Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
  • Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
  • Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
  • Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
  • Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
  • Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.

Can non-potable well water that is used for irrigation contribute to potable water reduction?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Can surface water, such as water from an irrigation ditch or a local creek, be used as nonpotable water?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

Do interior planters count in the calculation?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

We are using non-potable water for irrigation. For drought conditions, can we hook up to a potable water source for backup and still earn this credit?

The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial »

(If you're already a premium member, log in here.)

LEEDuser expert

Susann Geithner

Dipl. Ing (FH), MSc., LEED AP BD+C, O+M, ID+C, WELL AP

Emerald Built Environments
Principal

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