This credit is earned by having strategies in place that enable rainwater to be collected and reused onsite. These “low-impact development” (LID) practices include management strategies such as downspout disconnection, rainwater harvesting, rain gardens, bioretention, bioswales, pervious hardscapes, and vegetated roofs. If your project site includes one or more of these practices, you may be able to achieve this credit.

Reaching the credit threshold

Your project’s LID management strategies must collectively receive rainwater flow from at least 25% of the impermeable site area for the 95th percentile storm event. Confused? We’ve got you covered with calculation support and examples in the documentation toolkit and FAQ.

Improving from your baseline

If you’ve completed rainwater calculations and your project falls short, consider opportunities to install additional vegetation, increase pervious areas, and install or expand other low-impact development features.

Don’t forget to inspect

Project teams that meet the credit threshold must remember to complete a stormwater inspection during the performance period (and annually thereafter) to ensure all rainwater management facilities perform as they should. Deficiencies need to be addressed within 60 days of inspection. The documentation toolkit includes a sample stormwater inspection checklist that can be modified for your project.

What’s New in LEED v4.1

• This credit is worth one point rather than three points

Should I upgrade?

Only minor edits for clarification have been made to the v4.1 credit. But the point value has dropped from three points in v4 to only one point in v4.1. This means that teams will earn fewer points for the same level of effort and the same environmental impact.