(Required)
INTENT
Conserve water resources and minimize energy use by reducing the use of potable water, natural surface water, and groundwater withdrawals for landscape irrigation after the establishment period.
REQUIREMENTS*
This prerequisite applies only to long-term water use for the final vegetated area beyond the establishment period.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of potable water, natural surface water, (e.g., lakes, streams) and groundwater withdrawals for landscape irrigation (beyond the establishment period).
- Use the U.S. EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States) to identify the baseline case and water savings (www.epa.gov/watersense/water_budget/application.html).
- Reduce water usage by at least 50 percent from the baseline case beyond the establishment period.
- If the water source does not come from a potable water source, local health standards must be met.
- Install water meters to record and measure water usage to compare to the established baseline.
- Reduce water usage by at least 50 percent from the baseline case beyond the establishment period.
OR
- Design the landscape to not require a permanent irrigation system.
- Ensure the sections of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) are complete and describe the anticipated watering schedule as well as the process for maintaining non-potable irrigation water sources.
Exemptions:
- Water volume used for the following purposes may be included or excluded from irrigation calculations at the project team’s discretion:
- Water used during establishment period
- Water used to irrigate non-commercial food production gardens. Irrigation used on edible plants should not harm human health. (See HHWB C6.7: Provide for on-site food production.)
- Water used as required by local regulations in fire-prone areas for fire suppression systems
- Water used for athletic fields (if vegetated)
RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES
Reduce potable water use with any combination of the following items and methods:
- Design the site to maximize the use of captured stormwater for landscape elements
- Design the plantings, soils, and other features to be self-sustaining with natural precipitation only. Limit water use to time of planting only.
- Plant at the optimal season for your region to reduce or eliminate the need for watering for establishment.
- If turf grasses are to be used, they should be regionally appropriate and minimize post-establishment requirements for irrigation.
- Improve water-retention capacity of soil by increasing organic matter (e.g., adding compost)
- Design irrigation systems in such a way that trees, shrubs, and ground cover are irrigated in separate hydrozones. This way, watering can be discontinued by zone as plants become established.
- Use high-efficiency equipment (e.g., drip irrigation) and climate-based controllers for irrigation systems
- Reuse graywater, captured rainwater, HVAC blowdown, or condensate water for irrigation to decrease potable water use for irrigation and to create a net benefit to the local watershed by making the landscape part of the natural water-treatment process.
- If graywater or wastewater is to be recycled for landscape irrigation, consider conducting chemical tests to determine suitability for reuse on intended vegetation.
- Use water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for non-potable uses
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