Septic Systems

Jeffrey Westall

President

Westall Architects, Inc.

LEEDuser Basic Member

8 thumbs up

March 14, 2010

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Andrea Traber

Director, Sustainable Buildings and Operations

KEMA

LEEDuser Basic Member

46 thumbs up

Wed, 03/17/2010 - 16:52

Septic systems do count as on-site wastewater treatment, however, for WEc2 purposes you still need to reduce potable waste water quantities for flushing by 50% through standard methods like waterless and ultra-low flow fixtures, or by using recycled grey water, captured rainwater or municipal reclaimed water. Typically, septic systems do not provide a source of tertiary treated grey water for reuse, though you may be able to incorporate this feature in your septic system.

Erik Bergstrom

Green Building Associate

LEEDuser Basic Member

29 thumbs up

Mon, 06/28/2010 - 22:39

Where is this requirement that in addition to a septic system (leech field) you have to reduce waste water for flushing by 50%? The ref guide gives you two options, and doesn't require that you do both (as far as I can tell).

Andrea Traber

Director, Sustainable Buildings and Operations

KEMA

LEEDuser Basic Member

46 thumbs up

Thu, 07/01/2010 - 16:28

You are correct, you do not have to do both if you are using option 2, however, you do have to demonstrate that at least 50% of your total wastewater is diverted to the on-site system. This is probably self-evident in most cases, but just to be clear for the reviewers make sure to clearly state the facts. I would also add that even though it's not required to reduce flushing by 50% it's still a good idea.