Forum discussion
CS-2009 SSc6.1: Stormwater Design—Quantity Control
Will capturing all rainwater and keep it in a tank for future uses such as cooling towers and irrigation? Our project will not infiltrate it but reuse it instead.
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Why do the requirements focus on 1-year and 2-year, 24-hour storms?
How can green roofs count as a stormwater control measure?
I have 100-year data—how do I convert to 2-year?
Are there special considerations for international projects?
What performance threshold do I need to achieve for an Exemplary Performance point?
David Posada
Integrated Design & LEED SpecialistSERA Architects
LEEDuser Expert
1980 thumbs up
March 25, 2011 - 5:27 pm
Yes, capturing and storing rain water for irrigation, cooling towers, etc is a great way to meet the storm water quantity reduction. The most common problem is not having a storage tank that is big enough to prevent over flowing in typical conditions.
You will want to show calculations of the 1- and 2- year design storms, but also show that you are using the water from that tank quickly enough that it will have room for the next storm event. There's a related conversation about a similar situation over at NC 2009 SSc6.1 from this month, and also one from Jun 15 2010.
Hope that helps!
Gabriela Hernández Castillo
Architect, LEED AP BD+CSYASA - México
201 thumbs up
May 11, 2011 - 12:30 pm
I just checked the NC2009 discution and it is really good, the one from june. The case of having some use for the water that has been just collected before the next event is perfectly clear.
I'm thinking about this:
Our project is a mixed used with several buildings in it. Only one bulding (with its related grounds) will apply for certification.
The rainwater collected within the LEED boundary will be used for cooling towers and irrigation. However, the real demand for cooling towers will be supplied almost in its entirety by treated water so I am almost 100% sure that some rainwater collected will remain at the water collection tank. I was wondering if use this remaining water for other buildings' needs will satisfied the intention of this credits. The water will leave the LEED boundary however it will not reach the municipal sewage nor any other municipal system.
I don't know if I explained myself properly.