non-potable is everything that is not potable water, including rainwater, storm water run-off, grey water (definitions vary, but usually soapy shower, bath, sometimes kitchen sink water). If you have to treat the water in anyway before it is fit for human consuption, it is non-potable.
If you never (except the first year I believe for new plants) use any water except well water and or other non-potable water for irrigation, then you can go 100 percent non-potable route.
Jean Marais
b.i.g. Bechtold DesignBuilder Expert832 thumbs up
March 8, 2010 - 2:44 am
As Corinna mentioned, LEED does mention "natural surface" or other "subsurface" resources. Many such sources are potable. Well water for example is often very brackish (hard, full of calcium), but technically still fit for human consumption. I don't think LEED is refering to using non-potable subsurface or surface water. The intent is to reduce the demand on our potable water supply infrastructure as well as reducing the loads on our aquifers.
Eric Johnson
271 thumbs up
September 7, 2010 - 1:53 pm
There are several CIR's from past projects that clearly state using well water is against the credit intent.