“Strategies for Water Use Reduction to Comply the LEED-Certified Multi-Family Apartment Complexes

Water use reduction is an essential aspect of sustainable building design, and it is a key consideration for buildings seeking to achieve LEED certification. By reducing water consumption, buildings can not only help preserve this precious resource but also save on operating costs.

In this article, we will discuss how to attempt water use reduction for LEED, including a sample calculation of baseline water requirements for a project and strategies for indoor and outdoor water use reduction.

Calculating Baseline Water Requirements

The first step in attempting water use reduction for LEED is to determine the baseline water requirements for the project. This baseline will serve as a reference point for measuring water use reduction. To calculate the baseline water requirements, the following steps can be followed:

1. Determine the project’s water use baseline. This is the amount of water the project would typically use without implementing any water-saving strategies. For example, in the case of a multi-family apartment complex with 200 residential units in Delhi NCR, the average baseline water use per unit per day can be calculated using the following formula:

Baseline Water Use = Average Water Use per Unit per Day x Number of Units

Assuming the average water use per unit per day is 150 liters, the baseline water use for the project would be:

Baseline Water Use = 150 x 200 = 30,000 liters per day

2. Determine the water use reduction target. The water use reduction target is the percentage by which the project aims to reduce its water consumption compared to the baseline. For LEED certification, the minimum water use reduction target is 20%.

Assuming the water use reduction target for the project is 30%, the target water use for the project would be:

Target Water Use = Baseline Water Use x (1 – Water Use Reduction Target)

Target Water Use = 30,000 x (1 – 0.3) = 21,000 liters per day

Strategies for Indoor Water Use Reduction

Once the baseline water requirements have been determined, the next step is to implement strategies for indoor water use reduction. The following are some examples of strategies that can be implemented in a multi-family apartment complex:

1. Install water-efficient fixtures: Installing low-flow showerheads, faucets, and toilets can significantly reduce indoor water use. For example, replacing a 2.5 GPM showerhead with a 1.5 GPM showerhead can save up to 10,000 gallons of water per year.
2. Implement water-saving practices: Encouraging residents to take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing teeth, and fix leaks can also help reduce indoor water use.
3. Use recycled water for non-potable purposes: Using recycled water for flushing toilets and irrigating landscaping can significantly reduce indoor water use. In the case of a multi-family apartment complex, a wastewater treatment plant can be installed to treat and reuse greywater and blackwater for non-potable purposes.

Strategies for Outdoor Water Use Reduction

Outdoor water use is another significant contributor to a building’s water consumption. The following are some examples of strategies that can be implemented to reduce outdoor water use in a multi-family apartment complex:

1. Use native plants: Planting native vegetation that is adapted to the local climate and requires less water can significantly reduce outdoor water use.
2. Install water-efficient irrigation systems: Installing drip irrigation systems or using weather-based irrigation controllers can also help reduce outdoor water use.
3. Harvest rainwater: Capturing and storing rainwater for outdoor irrigation can also reduce outdoor water use. In the case of a multi-family apartment complex, rainwater harvesting systems can be installed on rooftops or parking lots.

sample calculation table for the baseline water requirements and target water use for a multi-family apartment complex with 200 residential units in Delhi NCR:

Water use reduction is an important aspect of sustainable building design and a key consideration for buildings seeking to achieve LEED certification. By implementing strategies for indoor and