LEEDuser’s viewpoint
Frank advice from LEED experts
LEED is changing all the time, and every project is unique. Even seasoned professionals can miss a critical detail and lose a credit or even a prerequisite at the last minute. Our expert advice guides our LEEDuser Premium members and saves you valuable time.
Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
Requirements
Project teams earn points by achieving the following percent reductions for both building water use and process water use. The minimum water savings percentage for each point threshold is as follows:
| Percentage Reduction | Points |
|---|---|
| 30% | 1 |
| 35% | 2 |
| 40% | 3 |
Building water use
Employ strategies that in aggregate use less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation). The baseline shall meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and subsequent rulings by the Department of Energy, requirements of the EPAct of 2005, and the plumbing code requirements as stated in the 2006 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code or International Plumbing Code pertaining to fixture performance.
Calculations are based on estimated occupant usage and must include only the following fixtures and fixture fittings (as applicable to the project scope): water closets, urinals, lavatory faucets, showers, kitchen sink faucets and pre-rinse spray valves. Fixtures used for clinical use, such as surgical scrub sinks and exam room sinks are exempt from this calculation. [Europe ACP: Water Use Baseline]
Table 1: National efficiency baselines for commercial and residential water-using fixtures, fittings and appliances
| Fixtures, Fittings, and Appliances | Current Baseline (Imperial Units) | Current Baseline (Metric Units) |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)* | 6 liters per flush (lpf) |
| Urinals | 1.0 (gpf) | 4.0 lpf |
| Lavatory (restroom) faucets | 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi), private applications only (e.g., hospital patient rooms) 0.5 (gpm) at 60 (psi)** all others except private applications 0.25 gallons per cycle for metering faucets |
8.5 liters per minute (lpm) at 4 bar (58 psi), private applications only (e.g., hospital patient rooms) 2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi), all others except private applications 1 liter per cycle for metering faucets |
| Pre-rinse spray valves (for food service applications) |
Flow rate ≤ 1.6 (gpm) | Flow rate ≤ 6 liters per minute (lpm) |
| Showerheads | 2.5 gpm at 80 psi per shower stall**** | 9.5 lpm at 5.5 bar (80 psi) per shower stall |
| * EPAct 1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models. ** In addition to EPAct requirements, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers standard for public lavatory faucets is 0.5 gpm at 60 psi (2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi)) (ASME A112.18.1-2005). This maximum has been incorporated into the national Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code. *** EPAct 1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models. **** Residential shower compartment (stall) in dwelling units: The total allowable flow rate from all flowing showerheads at any given time, including rain systems, waterfalls, bodysprays, bodyspas and jets, must be limited to the allowable showerhead flow rate as specified above (2.5 gpm/9.5 lpm) per shower compartment, where the floor area of the shower compartment is less than 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters). For each increment of 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters) of floor area thereafter or part thereof, an additional showerhead with total allowable flow rate from all flowing devices equal to or less than the allowable flow rate as specified above must be allowed. Exception: Showers that emit recirculated nonpotable water originating from within the shower compartment while operating are allowed to exceed the maximum as long as the total potable water flow does not exceed the flow rate as specified above. |
||
AND
Process water use
Employ strategies that in aggregate use less water than the process water use baseline calculated for equipment performance requirements as listed in Table 2. Calculations are based on estimated occupant usage and shall include only the following fixtures (as applicable to the project scope): clothes washers, dishwashers, ice machines, food steamers and combination ovens.
Exemptions from calculations:
- Appliances and equipment for which water is used toward human consumption may be excluded. For example, bread misters, soda machines, coffee making machines, misters for produce and fixtures used to fill sinks for washing produce.
- Fixtures whose flow rates are regulated by health codes may be excluded from the calculation. For example, regulated medical equipment is excluded. See WE Prerequisite 2 for requirements applicable to heat rejecting medical equipment.
For applicable equipment not addressed in Tables 1 or 2, additional equipment performance baseline requirements may be proposed, provided that documentation supporting the proposed benchmark or industry standard is provided.
Table 2: Equipment performance requirements table
| Equipment | Baseline (Imperial Units) | Baseline (Metric Units) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Clothes Washer – less than 80 lbs (36.3 kg) | 9 gallon/CF/cycle | 1,200 liters/m3/cycle |
| Commercial Dishwashers | ||
| Undercounter – high temp | 1.98 gallon/rack | 7.50 liters/rack |
| Undercounter – low temp | 1.95 gallon/rack | 7.38 liters/rack |
| Door type – high temp | 1.44 gallon/rack | 5.45 liters/rack |
| Door type – low temp | 1.85 gallon/rack | 7.00 liters/rack |
| Single tank rack conveyor – high temp | 1.13 gallon/rack | 4.28 liters/rack |
| Single tank rack conveyor – low temp | 1.23 gallon/rack | 4.66 liters/rack |
| Multi-tank rack conveyor – high temp | 1.1 gallon/rack | 4.16 liters/rack |
| Multi-tank rack conveyor – low temp | 0.99 gallon/rack | 3.75 liters/rack |
| Flight type | 180 gallon/hour | 681 liters/hour |
| Commercial Ice Machines | ||
| Water-cooled ice machine capacity < 450 lb/day (<204.11 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine capacity > 450 lb/day (>204.11 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (w/o remote compressor) capacity < 1000 lb/day (<453.59 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (w/o remote compressor) capacity > 1000 lb/day (>453.59 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (with remote compressor) capacity < 934 lb/day (<423.66 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (with remote compressor) capacity > 934 lb/day (>423.66 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine Self Contained Unit (SCU) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Water-cooled ice machines | Must be on closed cooling loop | Must be on closed cooling loop |
| Water-cooled ice machines once through cooling | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Food Steamers | ||
| Boiler type steam cooker – batch cooking | 8 gallon/hour/pan | 30.28 liters/hour/pan |
| Boilerless type steam cooker – high production/cook to order | 8 gallon/hour/pan | 30.28 liters/hour/pan |
| Combination Oven | 40 gph | 151.42 lph |
| Countertop or stand mounted | 40 gph | 151.42 lph |
| Roll-in | 60 gph | 227.12 lph |
| Other equipment | Performance baseline based on industry standards | |
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: Water Use Baseline
Projects in Europe may use the values defined by European Standards.
See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
See all forum discussions about this credit »Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
Get the inside scoop
Our editors have written a detailed analysis of nearly every LEED credit, and LEEDuser premium members get full access. We’ll tell you whether the credit is easy to accomplish or better left alone, and we provide insider tips on how to document it successfully.
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.
Requirements
Project teams earn points by achieving the following percent reductions for both building water use and process water use. The minimum water savings percentage for each point threshold is as follows:
| Percentage Reduction | Points |
|---|---|
| 30% | 1 |
| 35% | 2 |
| 40% | 3 |
Building water use
Employ strategies that in aggregate use less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation). The baseline shall meet the requirements of the Energy Policy Act (EPAct) of 1992 and subsequent rulings by the Department of Energy, requirements of the EPAct of 2005, and the plumbing code requirements as stated in the 2006 editions of the Uniform Plumbing Code or International Plumbing Code pertaining to fixture performance.
Calculations are based on estimated occupant usage and must include only the following fixtures and fixture fittings (as applicable to the project scope): water closets, urinals, lavatory faucets, showers, kitchen sink faucets and pre-rinse spray valves. Fixtures used for clinical use, such as surgical scrub sinks and exam room sinks are exempt from this calculation. [Europe ACP: Water Use Baseline]
Table 1: National efficiency baselines for commercial and residential water-using fixtures, fittings and appliances
| Fixtures, Fittings, and Appliances | Current Baseline (Imperial Units) | Current Baseline (Metric Units) |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf)* | 6 liters per flush (lpf) |
| Urinals | 1.0 (gpf) | 4.0 lpf |
| Lavatory (restroom) faucets | 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm) at 60 pounds per square inch (psi), private applications only (e.g., hospital patient rooms) 0.5 (gpm) at 60 (psi)** all others except private applications 0.25 gallons per cycle for metering faucets |
8.5 liters per minute (lpm) at 4 bar (58 psi), private applications only (e.g., hospital patient rooms) 2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi), all others except private applications 1 liter per cycle for metering faucets |
| Pre-rinse spray valves (for food service applications) |
Flow rate ≤ 1.6 (gpm) | Flow rate ≤ 6 liters per minute (lpm) |
| Showerheads | 2.5 gpm at 80 psi per shower stall**** | 9.5 lpm at 5.5 bar (80 psi) per shower stall |
| * EPAct 1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models. ** In addition to EPAct requirements, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers standard for public lavatory faucets is 0.5 gpm at 60 psi (2.0 lpm at 4 bar (58 psi)) (ASME A112.18.1-2005). This maximum has been incorporated into the national Uniform Plumbing Code and the International Plumbing Code. *** EPAct 1992 standard for toilets applies to both commercial and residential models. **** Residential shower compartment (stall) in dwelling units: The total allowable flow rate from all flowing showerheads at any given time, including rain systems, waterfalls, bodysprays, bodyspas and jets, must be limited to the allowable showerhead flow rate as specified above (2.5 gpm/9.5 lpm) per shower compartment, where the floor area of the shower compartment is less than 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters). For each increment of 2,500 square inches (1.5 square meters) of floor area thereafter or part thereof, an additional showerhead with total allowable flow rate from all flowing devices equal to or less than the allowable flow rate as specified above must be allowed. Exception: Showers that emit recirculated nonpotable water originating from within the shower compartment while operating are allowed to exceed the maximum as long as the total potable water flow does not exceed the flow rate as specified above. |
||
AND
Process water use
Employ strategies that in aggregate use less water than the process water use baseline calculated for equipment performance requirements as listed in Table 2. Calculations are based on estimated occupant usage and shall include only the following fixtures (as applicable to the project scope): clothes washers, dishwashers, ice machines, food steamers and combination ovens.
Exemptions from calculations:
- Appliances and equipment for which water is used toward human consumption may be excluded. For example, bread misters, soda machines, coffee making machines, misters for produce and fixtures used to fill sinks for washing produce.
- Fixtures whose flow rates are regulated by health codes may be excluded from the calculation. For example, regulated medical equipment is excluded. See WE Prerequisite 2 for requirements applicable to heat rejecting medical equipment.
For applicable equipment not addressed in Tables 1 or 2, additional equipment performance baseline requirements may be proposed, provided that documentation supporting the proposed benchmark or industry standard is provided.
Table 2: Equipment performance requirements table
| Equipment | Baseline (Imperial Units) | Baseline (Metric Units) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Clothes Washer – less than 80 lbs (36.3 kg) | 9 gallon/CF/cycle | 1,200 liters/m3/cycle |
| Commercial Dishwashers | ||
| Undercounter – high temp | 1.98 gallon/rack | 7.50 liters/rack |
| Undercounter – low temp | 1.95 gallon/rack | 7.38 liters/rack |
| Door type – high temp | 1.44 gallon/rack | 5.45 liters/rack |
| Door type – low temp | 1.85 gallon/rack | 7.00 liters/rack |
| Single tank rack conveyor – high temp | 1.13 gallon/rack | 4.28 liters/rack |
| Single tank rack conveyor – low temp | 1.23 gallon/rack | 4.66 liters/rack |
| Multi-tank rack conveyor – high temp | 1.1 gallon/rack | 4.16 liters/rack |
| Multi-tank rack conveyor – low temp | 0.99 gallon/rack | 3.75 liters/rack |
| Flight type | 180 gallon/hour | 681 liters/hour |
| Commercial Ice Machines | ||
| Water-cooled ice machine capacity < 450 lb/day (<204.11 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine capacity > 450 lb/day (>204.11 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (w/o remote compressor) capacity < 1000 lb/day (<453.59 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (w/o remote compressor) capacity > 1000 lb/day (>453.59 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (with remote compressor) capacity < 934 lb/day (<423.66 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine with remote condensing unit (with remote compressor) capacity > 934 lb/day (>423.66 kg/day) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Air-cooled ice machine Self Contained Unit (SCU) | <25 gal/100 lb ice | <95 liters/46 kg ice |
| Water-cooled ice machines | Must be on closed cooling loop | Must be on closed cooling loop |
| Water-cooled ice machines once through cooling | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Food Steamers | ||
| Boiler type steam cooker – batch cooking | 8 gallon/hour/pan | 30.28 liters/hour/pan |
| Boilerless type steam cooker – high production/cook to order | 8 gallon/hour/pan | 30.28 liters/hour/pan |
| Combination Oven | 40 gph | 151.42 lph |
| Countertop or stand mounted | 40 gph | 151.42 lph |
| Roll-in | 60 gph | 227.12 lph |
| Other equipment | Performance baseline based on industry standards | |
Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs)
Europe ACP: Water Use Baseline
Projects in Europe may use the values defined by European Standards.