Treated seawater for makeup water

Vincent Kotwicki

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

January 2, 2013

The intent of the credit is: "To reduce potable water consumption for cooling tower equipment through effective water management and/or use of nonpotable makeup water." I have two questions: Can we get a credit for using a beachwell (a well drilled on a beach and drawing seawater) and desalinating this seawater for use in the cooling tower? And question two: What "potable water" we are talking about? The source (seawater) is nonpotable, but if we desalinate it, it becomes potable.

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Tristan Roberts

Representative

Vermont House of Representatives

LEEDuser Expert

7780 thumbs up

Wed, 01/02/2013 - 14:20

Vincent, in my opinion, this would meet the definition of nonpotable water use. You are making use of a nonpotable water source, and treating it to the standards needed in the building. Other more common nonpotable sources, like graywater, would require similar treatment.The energy required to desalinate the water will count against you in the EA category, of course.

Vincent Kotwicki

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Thu, 01/03/2013 - 11:02

Tristan, thank you for your elucidating clarification. On energy, we are thinking about wind turbines to keep our head above water in the EA category.