I-06: Net Positive Water – Above Green

INTENT

The intent of this Imperative is for project water use and release to work in harmony with the natural water flows of the site and its surroundings.

REQUIREMENTS

All projects must supply one hundred percent of the project’s water needs through captured precipitation or other natural closed-loop water systems, and/or through recycling used project water, and all water must be purified as needed without the use of chemicals. No potable water may be used for non-potable uses. If captured precipitation is not adequate to supply the needs of the project after all possible efficiency measures are applied, connection to the municipal water system is allowed.

All projects must address all grey and black water through on-site treatment and management through reuse, a closed-loop system, or infiltration. Projects that are not able to treat and manage on-site may use handprinting within the watershed.

Scale jumping strategies are allowed with some limitations. For example, connecting to a community or municipal facility is allowed. Connection is also allowed where regulations prohibit onsite treatement, or if the municipal system provides greater environmental benefit than onsite treatment. For all scale jumping, pump energy must be accounted for through renewable energy sources.

All projects must incorporate a resilience strategy to provide drinking water for at least a week for all regular building occupants through water storage onsite.

Affordable housing projects may use handprinting within the watershed in lieu of onsite systems to meet the project’s water needs.