How can you optimize water use and conservation for clients using LEED practices?

1 Water Efficiency Credits

One of the main categories of LEED credits is water efficiency, which measures how well a building reduces its potable water demand, uses alternative water sources, and treats wastewater on site. To earn water efficiency credits, you can advise your clients to implement strategies such as installing low-flow fixtures and appliances, collecting rainwater and greywater for irrigation and flushing, using native and drought-tolerant plants, and designing stormwater management systems that filter and infiltrate runoff. These practices can help your clients save water, lower their utility bills, and enhance their environmental reputation.

3 Water Quality Standards

Another aspect of optimizing water use and conservation is ensuring that the water used and discharged by your clients' buildings meets the relevant quality standards and regulations. LEED encourages you to adopt practices that prevent water pollution, protect aquatic ecosystems, and promote human health and well-being. For instance, you can recommend your clients to use low-impact development (LID) techniques, such as permeable pavements, vegetated swales, and bioretention basins, to reduce the amount and improve the quality of stormwater runoff. You can also suggest your clients to use non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning products, fertilizers, and pesticides, to minimize the contamination of water sources.

4 Water Innovation Credits

LEED also rewards you and your clients for pursuing innovative and exemplary water practices that go beyond the standard requirements and expectations. You can earn water innovation credits by demonstrating that your clients' buildings achieve significant water savings, use cutting-edge technologies or approaches, or address regional or local water issues. For example, you can earn water innovation credits by showing that your clients' buildings achieve a 50% or more reduction in indoor or outdoor potable water use, use reclaimed water or treated wastewater for cooling or heating, or implement water education or awareness programs for occupants and visitors.

5 Water Certification Levels

The number and type of LEED credits that you and your clients achieve determine the level of certification that your clients' buildings can attain. LEED offers four levels of certification: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each level has a minimum number of points that you and your clients need to earn across different categories, including water efficiency. The higher the level of certification, the more benefits and recognition that your clients can enjoy. For example, a LEED Platinum building can save up to 50% more water than a conventional building, and can also qualify for incentives, rebates, and tax credits from various programs and agencies.

6 Water Consulting Services

As an environmental consultant, you can provide a range of water consulting services to help your clients optimize their water use and conservation using LEED practices. You can conduct water audits and assessments, design and implement water efficiency and quality solutions, assist with LEED documentation and certification, and provide ongoing water management and monitoring. By offering these services, you can help your clients achieve their water goals, reduce their environmental impact, and increase their value and competitiveness in the market.

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?