Even if you are attempting Option 2, you will want to select water-efficient fixtures, which minimize the quantity of wastewater treated onsite. To accomplish this, target the most consumptive fixtures to achieve the greatest water reduction, but keep in mind the very different maintenance requirements for waterless fixtures. See WEc3: Water Use Reduction for more information. Also, review the Option 1 steps of this credit.

Compare the baseline and design case water budgets to determine the water reduction percentage for your project. The LEED Submittal Template has a built-in calculator to facilitate this calculation. Repeat this process until selection of water fixtures and strategies is finalized and your project’s water reduction goals have been met. 

Track and record information on applicable fixtures, including the manufacturer, model number, and flush or flow rate. This will help you when filling out the LEED Submittal Template. Fill out the Submittal Template calculator early in design simply as a draft to determine if you are meeting the requirement. 



Remember that this credit is based on EPAct 1992.

Calculating irrigation water use is not required for this credit; however, understanding how indoor water use compares to outdoor water use can help you gauge where to focus your reduction efforts for the greatest benefit. Some water-saving strategies address both indoor and outdoor water needs holistically. For example, if you treat your wastewater onsite, you can use the treated water to irrigate your landscape as well as to flush toilets. Doing so can contribute to either WEc1: Water Efficient Landscaping and WEc3: Water Use Reduction.

Ensure that procedures are in place for receiving and responding to IAQ complaints from building occupants. The I-BEAM tool provides sample forms and logs for fielding and recording occupant complaints as well as information about key principles for developing effective communication with building occupants regarding IAQ issues. Strategies for investigating and resolving the issues that trigger occupant complaints are covered by a variety of I-BEAM guidelines.

Establish protocols to manage all significant pollutant sources referenced in I-BEAM that are applicable to the project building.

Following the initial audit, the IAQ manager must make periodic inspections to uncover new IAQ issues and monitor the status of previous issues. The I-BEAM tool supplies inspection forms that can be tailored to the project building to facilitate this process.

Develop and implement a comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Management Plan using the EPA’s “Indoor Air Quality Building Education and Assessment Model” (I-BEAM).

Adjust reset and setback temperature settings and calibrate controls and sensors. A Building Automation System (BAS) will allow building managers to adjust, monitor and control temperature set points and air volumes throughout the building from a central location. Direct digital controls (DDC) utilized by the BAS will function more efficiently than older pneumatic controls and help to avoid unnecessary use of HVAC equipment during non-business hours and holidays.