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NC-v4 WEc1:Outdoor water use reduction

IS "WELL WATER" AN "ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCE"?

We have a project whose landscape meets the prerequisite “WE Outdoor Water Use Reduction” (it consumes 30% less water than the base case). On the site there is a non-potable water well prior to the construction of the building. We would like to use the water from the well for irrigation so we do not have to use potable water.

The ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES section of the LEED V4 Reference Guide (page 290) does not specify that well water is one of them.

Could we include the well water for irrigation as an “Additional reduction through alternative water source” and thus achieve 100% savings in potable water for irrigation?

Thank you so much.

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Profile picture for user Dave.Hubka_2
Dave Hubka
Practice Leader - Sustainability
EUA
LEEDuser Expert
510 thumbs up

Tue, 09/28/2021 - 19:47

from past projects, GBCI has not allowed me to include onsite well water as an alternative water source. even if the well water is not drinkable. 

Wed, 09/29/2021 - 08:18

Yes, I agree with David, the reason behind is that the project would be depleting the aquifers, and one of the objectives of this category is to "replenish aquifers and water table".

Wed, 10/13/2021 - 13:21

Thank you for your answers. You were right. The coach told me that I had to use the definition for alternative water sources which is provided under WEc Indoor Water Use Reduction in the LEED v4 Reference Guide - Step by Step Guidance: "Step 2. Consider alternative water sources Alternatives to potable water include municipally supplied reclaimed water (“purple pipe” water), graywater, rainwater, stormwater, treated seawater condensate, foundation dewatering water, used process water, and reverse osmosis reject water.
  • Untreated water sources ineligible for this credit include raw water from naturally occurring surface bodies of water, streams, rivers, groundwater, well water and water discharged from an open-loop geothermal system."

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