Determine which option is best for your project:Option 1, with a focus on fixtures alone, is often the easiest and cheapest way to earn the credit. However, your project must be able to install waterless or pint-per-flush urinals as well as ultra-lo

Determine which option is best for your project:

• Option 1, with a focus on fixtures alone, is often the easiest and cheapest way to earn the credit. However, your project must be able to install waterless or pint-per-flush urinals as well as ultra-low-flow toilets (1.0 GPF) or low-flow, dual-flush toilets (1.28/0.8 gpf) to have a shot. You may fall short with just fixture selection and need to incorporate graywater or rainwater reuse in order to meet the 50% reduction. For example, if you install waterless urinals and typical dual flush toilets (1.6/0.8 gpf) you will most likely only achieve a 45% reduction, and will need to make up the extra 5% with nonpotable water use. If that’s the case, you may need to involve a civil engineer, and achieving the credit becomes more complicated. 
• In Option 2, you’ll need to treat 50% of onsite wastewater to tertiary standards and reuse or infiltrate the treated wastewater on-site. This option requires the involvement of a civil engineer, additional space (either in the building basement or onsite), and willing maintenance personnel. You may find the educational and environmental benefits of onsite wastewater treatment are worth the extra work. Benefits include reduction of wastewater demand for the municipality, and opportunities to reduce the use of potable water for irrigation or toilet flushing. The treatment system can also function as an amenity and an educational facility.