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LEED v2008
Homes
Water Efficiency
Irrigation system

LEED CREDIT

Homes-v2008 WEc2: Irrigation system 1-4 points

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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Prerequisites

None.

Credits

Note: Points shown below are for irrigation systems installed throughout the designed landscape. If only 50% of the designed landscape includes these measures, then only 50% of the points are available. Even if part of the yard is not landscaped, the irrigation system must be stubbed to that part of the yard, as appropriate.2.1 High-efficiency irrigation system (1 point each, maximum 3 points). Design and install a high-efficiency irrigation system (based on overall landscaping plans, including measures adopted in SS 2) such that any of the following are met:
  1. Install an irrigation system designed by an EPA WaterSense certified professional.
  2. Design and install an irrigation system with head-to-head coverage.
  3. Install a central shut-off valve.
  4. Install a submeter for the irrigation system.
  5. Use drip irrigation for at least 50% of landscape planting beds to minimize evaporation.
  6. Create separate zones for each type of bedding area based on watering needs.
  7. Install a timer or controller that activates the valves for each watering zone at the best time of day to minimize evaporative losses while maintaining healthy plants and obeying local regulations and water use guidance.
  8. Install pressure-regulating devices to maintain optimal pressure and prevent misting.
  9. Utilize high-efficiency nozzles with an average distribution uniformity (DU) of at least 0.70. This may include conventional rotors, multistream rotors, or high-efficiency spray heads, but the DU must be verified by manufacturer documentation or third-party tests. A point source (drip) irrigation system should be counted as having a DU of 0.80.
  10. Check valves in heads.
  11. Install a moisture sensor controller or rain delay controller. For example, “smart” evapotranspiration controllers receive radio, pager, or Internet signals to direct the irrigation system to replace only the moisture that the landscape has lost because of heat, wind, etc.
class=”lowercase_letter”>

AND/OR

2.2 Third-party inspection (1 point). Perform a third-party inspection of the irrigation system in operation, including observation of all of the following:
  1. All spray heads are operating and delivering water only to intended zones.
  2. Any switches or shut-off valves are working properly.
  3. Any timers or controllers are set properly.
  4. Any irrigation systems are located at least 2 feet from the home.
  5. Irrigation spray does not hit the home.
class=”lowercase_letter”> 2.3 Reduce overall irrigation demand by at least 45% (maximum 4 points, as specified in Table 1). Design the landscape and irrigation system to reduce the overall irrigation water demand water budget. The estimates must be calculated and prepared by a landscape professional, biologist, or other qualified professional using the method outlined below. Note: A project must earn full points in SS 2.5 before receiving points for this credit.
Table 1. Reduction in Water Demand

Reduction in estimated irrigation water usage

WE 2.3 points

SS 2.5 points

Total
points

45–49%

1

6

7

50–54%

2

6

8

55–59%

3

6

9

60% or more

4

6

10
Method for calculating reduction in irrigation demand
Step 1. Calculate the baseline irrigation water usage: Baseline Usage = Landscaped Area * ET0 * 0.62 where ET0 = Baseline Evapotranspiration Rate (available from local and state Departments of Agriculture) Step 2. Calculate the design case irrigation water usage: Design Case Usage = (Landscaped Area * ETL ÷ IE) * CF * 0.62 where ETL = ET0 * KL and KL = KS * KMC . Refer to Tables 4 and 5 for values for KS and KMC, and to Table 6 for values for IE. For CF, use estimated value based on manufacturer’s specifications for percentage water savings. Step 3.Calculate the percentage reduction in irrigation water usage: Percentage Reduction = (1 – Design Case Usage ÷ Baseline Usage) * 100 Step 4. Refer to Table 3, above, to determine points earned.
Table 4. Species Factor

Vegetation type

Species factor (KS)

Low

Average

High

Trees

0.2

0.5

0.9

Shrubs

0.2

0.5

0.7

Groundcover

0.2

0.5

0.7

Turf

0.6

0.7

0.8
Table 5. Microclimate Factor

Example microclimate impacts

Microclimate factor (KMC)

Low

Average

High

Shading

0.5

0.8

1.0

High sun exposure

1.0

1.2

1.5

Protection from wind

0.8

0.9

1.0

Windy area

1.0

1.2

1.5
Table 6. Irrigation Efficiency

Irrigation type

Irrigation efficiency (IE)

Low

High

Fixed spray

0.4

0.6

Impact and microspray

0.5

0.7

Rotors

0.6

0.8

Multistream rotators

0.6

0.8

Low volume and point source (e.g., drip)

0.7

0.9
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USGBC logo

© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.

Requirements

Prerequisites

None.

Credits

Note: Points shown below are for irrigation systems installed throughout the designed landscape. If only 50% of the designed landscape includes these measures, then only 50% of the points are available. Even if part of the yard is not landscaped, the irrigation system must be stubbed to that part of the yard, as appropriate.2.1 High-efficiency irrigation system (1 point each, maximum 3 points). Design and install a high-efficiency irrigation system (based on overall landscaping plans, including measures adopted in SS 2) such that any of the following are met:
  1. Install an irrigation system designed by an EPA WaterSense certified professional.
  2. Design and install an irrigation system with head-to-head coverage.
  3. Install a central shut-off valve.
  4. Install a submeter for the irrigation system.
  5. Use drip irrigation for at least 50% of landscape planting beds to minimize evaporation.
  6. Create separate zones for each type of bedding area based on watering needs.
  7. Install a timer or controller that activates the valves for each watering zone at the best time of day to minimize evaporative losses while maintaining healthy plants and obeying local regulations and water use guidance.
  8. Install pressure-regulating devices to maintain optimal pressure and prevent misting.
  9. Utilize high-efficiency nozzles with an average distribution uniformity (DU) of at least 0.70. This may include conventional rotors, multistream rotors, or high-efficiency spray heads, but the DU must be verified by manufacturer documentation or third-party tests. A point source (drip) irrigation system should be counted as having a DU of 0.80.
  10. Check valves in heads.
  11. Install a moisture sensor controller or rain delay controller. For example, “smart” evapotranspiration controllers receive radio, pager, or Internet signals to direct the irrigation system to replace only the moisture that the landscape has lost because of heat, wind, etc.
class=”lowercase_letter”>

AND/OR

2.2 Third-party inspection (1 point). Perform a third-party inspection of the irrigation system in operation, including observation of all of the following:
  1. All spray heads are operating and delivering water only to intended zones.
  2. Any switches or shut-off valves are working properly.
  3. Any timers or controllers are set properly.
  4. Any irrigation systems are located at least 2 feet from the home.
  5. Irrigation spray does not hit the home.
class=”lowercase_letter”> 2.3 Reduce overall irrigation demand by at least 45% (maximum 4 points, as specified in Table 1). Design the landscape and irrigation system to reduce the overall irrigation water demand water budget. The estimates must be calculated and prepared by a landscape professional, biologist, or other qualified professional using the method outlined below. Note: A project must earn full points in SS 2.5 before receiving points for this credit.
Table 1. Reduction in Water Demand

Reduction in estimated irrigation water usage

WE 2.3 points

SS 2.5 points

Total
points

45–49%

1

6

7

50–54%

2

6

8

55–59%

3

6

9

60% or more

4

6

10
Method for calculating reduction in irrigation demand
Step 1. Calculate the baseline irrigation water usage: Baseline Usage = Landscaped Area * ET0 * 0.62 where ET0 = Baseline Evapotranspiration Rate (available from local and state Departments of Agriculture) Step 2. Calculate the design case irrigation water usage: Design Case Usage = (Landscaped Area * ETL ÷ IE) * CF * 0.62 where ETL = ET0 * KL and KL = KS * KMC . Refer to Tables 4 and 5 for values for KS and KMC, and to Table 6 for values for IE. For CF, use estimated value based on manufacturer’s specifications for percentage water savings. Step 3.Calculate the percentage reduction in irrigation water usage: Percentage Reduction = (1 – Design Case Usage ÷ Baseline Usage) * 100 Step 4. Refer to Table 3, above, to determine points earned.
Table 4. Species Factor

Vegetation type

Species factor (KS)

Low

Average

High

Trees

0.2

0.5

0.9

Shrubs

0.2

0.5

0.7

Groundcover

0.2

0.5

0.7

Turf

0.6

0.7

0.8
Table 5. Microclimate Factor

Example microclimate impacts

Microclimate factor (KMC)

Low

Average

High

Shading

0.5

0.8

1.0

High sun exposure

1.0

1.2

1.5

Protection from wind

0.8

0.9

1.0

Windy area

1.0

1.2

1.5
Table 6. Irrigation Efficiency

Irrigation type

Irrigation efficiency (IE)

Low

High

Fixed spray

0.4

0.6

Impact and microspray

0.5

0.7

Rotors

0.6

0.8

Multistream rotators

0.6

0.8

Low volume and point source (e.g., drip)

0.7

0.9
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