Our project is considering creating a retention pond for rainwater on land adjacent to the LEED project. They may develop the land where the pond is located so it cannot be included in the project boundary. Can this water still be used to meet the requirements of Option 1?
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Michael DeVuono
Regional Stormwater LeaderArcadis North America
LEEDuser Expert
187 thumbs up
August 2, 2013 - 12:41 pm
I am curious about this as well.
The USGBC guidance for campus projects requires that the land be under the same ownership or management. In order to do this, you would likely be creating an easement for this pond, correct? At face value, I do not see a problem with this, as the intent of the credit is to reduce potable water usage, but I will defer to someone with a more definitive response.
Will the development of the adjacent property effect the pond you are creating? What I am getting at, is I think you will need to at least show that the pond will not be altered in a way that will hinder your ability to obtain the water you need to pull from it.
John Covello
Senior Sustainability ManagerUL Solutions
9 thumbs up
August 2, 2013 - 11:45 pm
Thanks for posting Michael.
There will be an easement connecting the properties. It is actually a public right of way. There will be easements on private land as well connecting the property to the LEED project.
The development would affect the pond. There is talk of building elevated structures over the pond. I have not looked into yet what the impact of that would be as it is just a preliminary consideration. But that would be designed so as to not affect using the water for the site. We are trying for zero net water use. The pond is at the bottom of a sloped hill on the west side, and an elevated road on the south side. The north and east side lie in the owners property (and the LEED project area) and they are relatively flat. It will catch a lot of rainwater from the elevated areas and be part of a system that will include bio swales and retention ponds located in the project boundary.
John Covello
Senior Sustainability ManagerUL Solutions
9 thumbs up
August 3, 2013 - 3:41 am
Hello Michael,
I found this language under WE Preq 1 Potential Strategies:
Consider using alternative on-site sources of water (e.g., rainwater, stormwater, and air conditioner condensate) and graywater for nonpotable applications such as custodial uses and toilet and urinal flushing.
It would seem to be consistent with WE Prereq 1 this credit would require onsite water as well. But I am not seeing that referred to in the credit language.
Michael DeVuono
Regional Stormwater LeaderArcadis North America
LEEDuser Expert
187 thumbs up
August 5, 2013 - 12:54 pm
I was hoping someone else would have chimed in by now, but my gut is telling me that if you have an easement for use of this pond, and it's collected rainwater, you go for it. I wouldn't think the "on-site" language above would be binding.
You can ask for guidance from GBCI: http://www.gbci.org/org-nav/contact/Contact-Us/Project-Certification-Que...
They do take about 2 weeks to get back to you, so plan accordingly. Sorry I could not have been of more assistance. Let us know how you make out.
Amy Rider
Sustainability ManagerKEMA Services
161 thumbs up
September 25, 2013 - 1:31 am
Finally chiming in on this string - I agree with Michael. The easement should give you sufficient control over the adjacent site's rainwater functions to be acceptable to GBCI.