I have a Project where the land field has very little infiltration and naturally rainwater runs off to the sea. There is no municipal sewer, but water will be treated. Is it possible to obtain this credit by treating the water and not infiltrating it? Instead treated water goes to the sea.
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Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11477 thumbs up
October 15, 2010 - 6:12 am
Interesting situation. This seems to be not possible according to the credit language, but I could imagine it being possible, in theory, if you're able to make a case that it's not environmentally damaging in any way, and meets the same credit intent. Do you think you have a shot at doing that?
Catalina A
SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CONSULTANT30 thumbs up
October 18, 2010 - 11:47 am
Yes, I think it might be possible. The only downside that I see is mixing potable water with sea water. Even though it is the natural hydrology of the location, theoretically by doing that I would be reducing the potable water source, (though I´ll try anyway).
Andrea Traber
Director, Sustainable Buildings and OperationsKEMA
62 thumbs up
February 23, 2011 - 9:21 pm
The intent of the credit is to “reduce generation of wastewater and potable water demand, while increasing the local aquifer recharge.” I think that what you are doing with wastewater is interesting and does have environmental benefit, but it may not meet the credit intent because your are not reducing potable water demand. If you are, make sure to explain this in your narrative very well and back it up with solid calculations. You may be indirectly recharging the local aquifer by discharging to the sea and could potential make this reasoning if you were able to back it up with some hydrologic cycle information specific to the site. Seems like a long shot....maybe consider an Innovation credit for which you'd need to demonstrate environmental benefits convincingly. Regardless, it's a beneficial strategy as long as quantities of treated water released to salt water is not excessive--as you point out it occurs naturally.