applicability of Watersense tool to commercial projects?

Tristan,
curious if you have heard back from USGBC or anyone else regarding the use of the Watersense tool for large/non-residential projects.

Thanks!

I got a reply Deborah-

My apologies Tristan - Debra and I know each other so I knew she would reach out to me offline.
That said below is an explanation of the challenge and the steps towards resolution.
Based on my conversations with National and my continued understanding of the credit intent, a special approach was taken towards credit compliance. The utilization of the calculator was utilized and uploaded as part of the documentation for the credit.
Though needed, it is not the only piece of documentation needed and as with all things USGBC it is the outcome and not the path to get there that is important. The team recommended a strong narrative justifying credit intent along with a clarification of how the calculator should be used. I have found that a strong narrative can be a vital part of the compliance documentation process.
Large project challenges -
Most larger projects utilize turf grass (sod) to be able to provide stabilization for large open space areas developed that do not have structures on them, as a cost effective means of addressing the areas. On the other hand, the calculator is being used to encourage projects to utilize ground cover and other stabilization means (implementing good LID practices), to reduce the need for water at all (whether reused or potable). Larger projects can have a huge number of acreage that have to be destabilized in order to accommodate underground utilities and roadwork that can be cost prohibitive to many of the alternate strategies.
The water sense calculator (as stated above) is for smaller lots where the calculator assumes will be very public and well viewed. Even if an owner states they will not irrigate these areas, having a space close to your building or house that is brown or in poor health doesn't leave a great impression on those looking at it. Because of this many owners who originally intended not to use irrigation put them in after they see how bad the turf grass will become. It is because of this that the calculator states that you must include irrigation on any landscaped area.

To address this challenge, the following steps were taken -
1. The LEED v4 calculator was used - This calculator is more applicable then the one direct from Water Sense version.
2. The calculator was run twice;
Once with the prescribed irrigation type for no landscaping and once with no irrigation selected. An average of the two was used to support percentages achieved.
3. A detailed narrative was included along with owner support stating that in the area in question, that the turf was being used for stabilization and not beautification. Brown grass was acceptable and would not need remediation or future consideration of irrigation.
Keep in mind that on this project, strict Low Impact Development strategies were evaluated and used in most building local areas. Only in the large stabilization areas did conflict present itself and that is what allowed for credit intent conformance without perfect calculator compliance.

I hope this helps our readers to better understand the challenge and the solution.