For the WE pre-requisite and credit Outdoor Water Use Reduction, specifically Option 1 (No Irrigation Required), can the irrigation system installed go beyond the maximum two-year establishment period where the site is located in an area which has little rainfall? In essence, does LEED allow for regional adjustments to the establishment period based on location, as location would determine average precipitation, evapotranspiration and the time that plants need to get established? The reasoning being that while 2 years may be perfectly OK in locations which have regular rainfall, this may be on the short side for locations which have little to no rainfall and it would certainly take much more time, water and effort to establish a plant in the desert compared to a rainforest.
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emily reese moody
Sustainability Director, Certifications & ComplianceJacobs
LEEDuser Expert
452 thumbs up
July 20, 2023 - 11:09 pm
As far as I am aware, there are no exceptions granted for the establishment period. The intent is to have native/adapted plant types that would not need establishment longer than that when growing on their own. I've had many projects that compromised the 'no irrigation' goal to maintain their landscaping vision. It is possible to still earn a point (or two if you can supplement with alternative water sources) under Opt 2 with irrigation systems in place, you just wouldn't be eligible for Opt 1 anymore.