In lieu of potable domestic water, we are planning to tap into a municipal "industrial water" line for landscape irrigation use and retention pond supplement. The municipal water system originates from the Tennessee River, and is piped to the treatment plant. Most of the water is treated and distributed as potable water but a portion is released without treatment as "industrial water" for use in cooling systems and irrigation. Would this municipally supplied industrial water source meet the credit requirements for WE 1.2 for no potable water use in irrigation?If this source is considered potable water - not meeting the credit intent - would using captured rainwater from an on-site retention pond meet the credit requirements (WE1.1 or 1.2) if, on occasion, water from the industrial water line was added to keep the pond full?
USGBC ruled in WEc1.1CIR dated 1/13/03 that "the intent of this credit is to encourage water efficient or xeriscape landscaping practices, which require little to no irrigation. If, after such practices are implemented, irrigation is still necessary to maintain the landscape, then the applicant project can follow two paths for credit compliance: 1) high efficiency irrigation technologies; or 2) the use of non-potable water for irrigation purposes. The term \'potable water\' is used in this credit to differentiate "recycled graywater" (lavatory or shower water) and "harvested rainwater" (cisterns or collection ponds) from water drawn from "receiving waters" (rivers, lakes, aquifers)." Even though this \'industrial water\' is not treated, it is drawn from a source (Tennessee River) that provides the municipality access to water that is treatable and ultimately potable. Therefore, using any form of municipal supplied water for irrigation would not meet the intent of this credit. Applicable Internationally.