The existing source of potable water for our project is ground wells. Under Credit 3-Intent: " burdan on Muncipal water supply needs to be reduced." Under Requirement (Credit 3.2): we need to \'\'exceed the potable water use reduction by 30% over baseline. On page 70 of the LEED Reference Guide defination of potable is \'\' water that is suitable for drinking and is supplied from wells or munciple water systems\'\'. Our project has existing wells as a source of potable water. We are employing stratergies that use 30% less potable water than the baseline calculated for the building after meeting Energy Policy Act of 1992 fixture performance requirements. Would the project be eligible for this credit as the source of water are existing wells?
The intent of this credit is to \'maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal supply and wastewater systems.\' The LEED version 2.0 Reference Guide (June 2001) states on page 85 that \'the reduction of potable water use in buildings for toilets, shower heads, and faucets reduces the total amount withdrawn from rivers, streams, underground aquifers and other water bodies.\' Reducing well water used in the building will also reduce the amount of water taken from local water bodies and reduce the burden on wastewater systems. Therefore the project\'s water savings can qualify for this credit whether they are using municipal water or well water. Applicable internationally.