Projects using the stream channel protection option need to also implement strategies to reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff, where possible. Typical strategies could include reduced building footprint, reduced hardscape, infiltration areas, or rainwater harvest and reuse. These stategies need to be described in the stormwater management plan and narrative in order to meet the credit requirements.

Testing will take at least one day, but could take longer.

Discuss how the facility manager will support the M&V plan. Include expected staffing for tenant M&V efforts and operation of the monitoring system.

The landscape architect provides LEED documentation for submittal to LEED Online.

Provide landscape drawings.
Provide the total water applied (both for the baseline and design case) and non-potable water supply.
If using non-potable water, provide information on source, and other documents that support proof of non-potable water use.
Write a narrative describing the landscape and irrigation installed, provide detail on the calculations used, and detail about the supply and availability of non-potable water used.

Perform LEED calculations using the LEED Online calculator to evaluate compliance. Only “softscape” areas are included in calculations. Projects that replace landscape irrigation with hardscape to reduce irrigation needs cannot count this area in their calculations.

For WEc1.2: No Potable Water Use or No Irrigation, projects have to achieve a 50% reduction in total water applied in addition to eliminating irrigating with potable water. That is, even if a project uses non-potable water for irrigation, it must also reduce the total water use for irrigation by 50%. To use non-potable water to pursue WEc1.2, projects must provide a detailed narrative on the actual source and available quantity of the non-potable water as well as the anticipated schedule for implementation of the non-potable system.

Fill out the LEED Submittal Template. You will need to provide information on the blackwater source (toilet or urinal), annual quantity treated, annual quantity infiltrated onsite, annual quantity reused onsite, and plumbing drawings or other documents that detail information about the onsite treatment, infiltration, and reuse capabilities of your project. 

Fill out the LEED Submittal Template. You will need to provide information on annual reused water amount and, and if necessary, plumbing drawings or calculations illustrating that your non-potable water systems are capable of supporting the quantities determined. 

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.