DWT1: Water Conservation Strategy – Above Green

Intent

This Indicator intends to assess the entity’s strategy to water conservation through design and construction. Implementing water efficiency measures in the design and construction phases of a building contributes to reducing the water consumption of the building during the operational phase.

Requirements

Select yes or no. If yes, select all applicable sub-options.

Does the entity promote water conservation in its development projects?

Yes
- The entity promotes water conservation through (multiple answers possible)
  - Requirements for planning and design include (multiple answers possible)
    - Development and implementation of a commissioning plan
    - Integrative design for water conservation
    - Requirements for indoor water efficiency
    - Requirements for outdoor water efficiency
    - Requirements for process water efficiency
    - Requirements for water supply
    - Requirements for minimum water use intensity post-occupancy
    - Other: ____________
      - Provide applicable evidence | UPLOAD or URL____________
  - Common water efficiency measures include (multiple answers possible)
    - Commissioning of water systems
    - Drip/smart irrigation
    - Drought tolerant/low-water landscaping
    - High-efficiency/dry fixtures
    - Leak detection system
    - Occupant sensors
    - On-site wastewater treatment
    - Reuse of stormwater and greywater for non-potable applications
    - Other: ____________
  - Operational water-efficiency monitoring (multiple answers possible)
    - Post-construction water monitoring
      - For on average years: ____________
    - Sub-meter
    - Water use analytics
    - Other: ____________
No

Post-construction monitoring: If the entity has a requirement on post-construction performance monitoring, specify the required number of years. If the entity monitors performance for an infinite period, enter “100”.

Validation

Evidence: Document upload or hyperlink. The evidence must sufficiently support all the items selected for this question. If a hyperlink is provided, ensure that it is not outdated and the relevant page can be accessed within two steps.

The evidence must sufficiently support the promotion of water efficiency requirements for planning and design. If "Requirements for planning and design" is selected, the document upload must include information on the selected options (e.g., RFP language requesting integrated design process, above code design, policy documents that include the selected requirements, etc.). The common water efficiency measures and operational water efficiency monitoring do not need to be included in the evidence as the evidence only relates to "Requirements for planning and design".

Post-construction monitoring: If the entity has requirement on post-construction performance monitoring, specify the required number of years. If the entity monitors performance for an infinite period, enter “100”.

Other:

Other: State the requirement for planning and design.
Other: State the water efficiency measure.
Other: State the operational water efficiency monitoring type.

It is possible to report multiple other answers.

See Appendix 2a for additional information about GRESB Validation.

Scoring

5 points, E

Scoring is based on the number of selected options. It is not necessary to select all options to achieve the maximum score.

Evidence: The evidence is manually validated and points are contingent on the validation decision.

Other: The 'Other' answer is manually validated and points are contingent on the validation decision.

See the Scoring Document for additional information on scoring.

Terminology

Net-zero energy: A net-zero energy building relies on energy-efficient design and renewable sources to produce as much energy as it consumes, usually measured over the course of a year.

Drip/smart irrigation: Drip irrigation systems save water by irrigating, fertilizing and aerating trees, shrubs, plants and bushes directly at the roots. Smart irrigation systems save water by adjusting the watering schedule and amount of water used for irrigation based on a variety of factors and inputs, including weather, plant species and soil type.

Drought tolerant/low-water landscaping: Reduction of water use through landscaping characteristics such as areas requiring little to no irrigation.

Dry fixtures: Fixtures that do not require the use of water, such as composting toilet systems and waterless urinals.

Grey water: Wastewater generated from hand basins, showers and other water-using devices and equipment.

High-efficiency fixtures: Appliances and plumbing equipment that conserve water without compromising performance (also known as “ultra-low-flow” fixtures).

Indoor water: Water use that occurs within the constraints of the building interior.

Integrative design: A design process that considers and involves multiple aspects, stakeholders and functions, instead of addressing each separately, to align and achieve objectives.

Leak detection system: Systems that detect water leaks. Examples can include, but are not limited to: condensate water overflow, chiller water leaks, plumbing line cracks, heating/cooling piping leaks and outside seepage.

Minimum water-use intensity post-occupancy: Requirement for buildings to achieve a predetermined water use intensity once the building is fully operational.

Non-potable applications: Use of non-potable water in applications such as toilet flushing and cooling tower make up water

Occupant sensors: Motion sensor devices that turn water fixtures on (or off) in response to the presence (or absence) of people.

On-site wastewater treatment: Process of water decontamination as a consequence of any anthropogenic, industrial or commercial use, before the water is released again into the environment or is re-used.

Operational water efficiency monitoring: Monitoring of water consumed during the in-use phase of a building’s life. The operational water consumption of buildings leads to substantial environmental impact. Monitoring consumption is an important basis for reducing this impact.

Outdoor water: Water use that occurs outside of the building structure.

Post-construction water monitoring: Monitoring of water consumption during the operational phase of the building, to identify that water conservation objectives are being met.

Process water: Water that is used for building systems and industrial processes, such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also include water used for operational processes, such as dishwashing.

Requirements for planning and design: Policy requirements such as planning obligations, building codes and standards.

Stormwater: Water that collects during precipitation, which can be stored on-site for eventual reuse for non-potable applications. Examples of applications for reuse can include, but are not limited to: landscape irrigation and/or flush fixtures.

Sub-meter: A system that allows the measurement of utility use by an individual occupant within a multi-tenant property, such as individual electricity meters.

Water conservation: The standards, strategies and actions to manage and conserve water in a sustainable manner.

Water efficiency measures: Actions undertaken to reduce water consumption and improve efficient use of water as a sustainable resource.

Water supply: Provision of surface water, groundwater, rainwater collected directly or stored by the entity, waste water from another organization, municipal water supplies or other water utilities, usually via a system of pumps and pipes.

Water use analytics: Analysis of water use to determine discrepancies between baseline and actual energy use. Water use analytics help determine whether water use targets are reached, and can highlight opportunities to improve water efficiency and conservation.

References

LEED BD+C: New Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality/p>

BREEAM, International New Construction, 2016: 09 Water

GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, 2016: 303, Water