What are the best strategies to achieve water efficiency in LEED design?

Water efficiency is one of the key goals of LEED design, as it helps reduce the environmental impact and operating costs of buildings. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification system that evaluates the sustainability performance of buildings based on various criteria, including water efficiency. In this article, we will explore some of the best strategies to achieve water efficiency in LEED design, and how they can benefit your project.

Key takeaways from this article

Smart water monitoring:

Regular checks for leaks and individual metering of water use can pinpoint areas to conserve water. By being proactive, you can significantly cut costs and lessen your environmental footprint.
Soil for cooling:

Utilizing soil's natural properties in construction, such as compressed sun-dried bricks, reduces the need for water in the manufacturing process and lowers cooling energy costs. It's a win-win for efficiency and sustainability.

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1 Reduce water demand

The first step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to reduce the water demand of the building and its occupants. This can be done by implementing water-saving fixtures, appliances, and equipment, such as low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads, energy-efficient dishwashers and washing machines, and drip irrigation systems. These measures can help reduce the indoor and outdoor water consumption of the building, and lower the water bills and wastewater generation.

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2 Reuse water resources

The second step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to reuse the water resources that are available on-site or nearby. This can be done by collecting and treating rainwater, stormwater, greywater, and condensate water, and using them for non-potable purposes, such as toilet flushing, landscape irrigation, cooling towers, and fire protection. These measures can help reduce the reliance on potable water sources, and conserve the natural water cycle and quality.

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3 Recycle water waste

The third step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to recycle the water waste that is generated by the building and its occupants. This can be done by installing on-site or off-site water treatment systems, such as wetlands, biofilters, or membrane bioreactors, and reusing the treated water for non-potable or potable purposes, depending on the quality and regulations. These measures can help reduce the discharge of pollutants and nutrients to the environment, and create a closed-loop water system.

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4 Restore water ecosystems

The fourth step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to restore the water ecosystems that are affected by the building and its surroundings. This can be done by enhancing the natural drainage, infiltration, and evapotranspiration of the site, and creating or preserving wetlands, ponds, streams, and riparian zones. These measures can help reduce the runoff and erosion of the site, and improve the biodiversity and habitat of the water ecosystems.

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Rakesh Kumar Panigrahi
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Being a LEED Consultant and having gone through research of sustainable materials, I can say soil can be a great solution to cool of buildings. Let me tell you how? One of the unique quality of soil is that we can compress it into blocks to make bricks it can work with any soil. You don't really have to bake it or get it made by concrete. We now have adhesive that can help it gain strength when it's sun dried. Without losing its porous capacity it helps in bringing down the energy cost. Water used in making new bricks get reduced thus overall benefits are achieved. Let me tell you another way of reducing water usage. Cooling tanks or desert coolers are made of plastic or steel consumes a lot of water. Soln-A recent project of Anthill design

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5 Reward water innovation

The fifth step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to reward the water innovation that is demonstrated by the building and its team. This can be done by pursuing the LEED water efficiency credits, which are based on the percentage of water savings achieved by the building compared to a baseline. The more water savings achieved, the more points earned, and the higher the level of LEED certification. The LEED certification can help showcase the water efficiency of the building, and attract more tenants, investors, and customers.

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6 Review water performance

The sixth step to achieve water efficiency in LEED design is to review the water performance of the building and its systems. This can be done by installing water meters, sensors, and controls, and monitoring and analyzing the water consumption, quality, and savings of the building over time. These measures can help identify and address any issues or opportunities for improvement, and ensure that the water efficiency goals are met and maintained.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Hany Ebeid

Facilities Manager @ INTELCIA, CFM, ISO41001, CMRP, LEED GREEN, OSHA30/45
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By implementing LEED's water efficiency strategies, your building can achieve LEED certification and save money on utility bills. LEED offers a range of strategies, from installing efficient fixtures and fittings to using smart irrigation systems. But that's not all. LEED also recommends regularly monitoring plumbing systems for leaks, installing individual water meters, and educating building occupants on the importance of water conservation. By taking these steps, your building can make a positive impact on the environment and reduce its water consumption.

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What are the best strategies to achieve water efficiency in LEED design?

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3

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1 Reduce water demand

2 Reuse water resources

3 Recycle water waste

4 Restore water ecosystems

5 Reward water innovation

6 Review water performance

7 Here’s what else to consider

Environmental Design

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What are the best strategies to achieve water efficiency in LEED design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Reduce water demand

2 Reuse water resources

3 Recycle water waste

4 Restore water ecosystems

5 Reward water innovation

6 Review water performance

7 Here’s what else to consider

Environmental Design

Rate this article

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