America Inexperienced Constructing Council (USGBC) has lengthy been a compass for the sustainable design, building, and operation of buildings. The Management in Vitality and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program is the world’s most generally used inexperienced constructing score system. Since its 1993 introduction, this system has developed with revisions to the panorama and irrigation class that present further point-earning alternatives. With LEED model 4.1, irrigation is particularly related to three certification varieties by way of the Water Effectivity (WE) credit score: single-family residential; multi-family residential; and constructing design and building.
Single-Household Residential
Candidates can earn WE credit by incorporating landscapes and irrigation that shield and restore water sources.
The WE Credit score: Complete Water Use — This credit score provides 3 to fifteen factors relying on the general indoor and outside water use discount from the baseline. Candidates should use the EPA WaterSense® Water Funds Device to calculate water financial savings.
The WE Credit score: Outside Water Use — Beneath Possibility 2 of this credit score, candidates can earn 1 to 2 factors for implementing environment friendly irrigation.
Multi-Household Residential
On this class, WE credit are awarded in two methods. Beneath Possibility 1, candidates should use the EPA WaterSense Funds Device to calculate indoor and outside water use reductions for the mission to earn a variety of 1 to 10 factors.
Possibility 2 awards 1 to three factors relying on the proportion of native or domestically tailored vegetation designated for the mission location. As well as, 1 level might be awarded by way of the WE Credit score: Water Metering for metering not less than 80% of the panorama space or together with meters on reclaimed irrigation programs.
Constructing Design and Building
Candidates are given two choices for WE credit and should earn a various variety of factors relying on the mission kind: core and shell, healthcare, or non-healthcare.
To earn credit beneath Possibility 1, candidates should present that the panorama doesn’t require a everlasting irrigation system past a most 2-year panorama institution interval.
To earn credit beneath Possibility 2, candidates should use the EPA WaterSense Water Funds Device to calculate panorama water necessities. In addition they want to point out a water financial savings of not less than 50% in comparison with baseline initiatives. Relying on the mission kind, they will earn between 1 and three factors. Moreover, 1 level might be awarded by way of the WE Credit score: Water Metering for metering not less than 80% of the panorama space or together with meters on reclaimed irrigation programs.
Hunter industries is commonly requested for product recycled materials knowledge to assist meet the Materials and Assets credit. Sadly, LEED particularly excludes mechanical, electrical, and plumbing parts from recycled content material calculations since they’re thought-about minor, detachable supplies. Though Hunter merchandise are excluded from this credit score, Hunter consists of recycled materials in its merchandise to assist lower its environmental footprint.
To be taught extra about Hunter irrigation options for LEED initiatives, take a look at our LEED Design Guides. Whereas the options proven in these guides will aid you meet and even exceed LEED necessities, you’ll discover them helpful for non-LEED initiatives as nicely. The practices mentioned map out efficient irrigation design practices that ship real-world water effectivity and financial savings. Whether or not or not you’re employed on LEED initiatives, these guides ship options for any mission.
For extra on panorama water conservation, see Three Important Irrigation Patterns and Water Harvesting To Irrigate Landscapes.
