Water Conservation Measures in Green Building

By Sijia Cao

AgendaGreen Building

o LEED Water Conservation Measures

o Water Efficient Landscapingo Innovative Wastewater

Technologieso Water Use Reduction

Case study (Sidwell Friends School, Washington DC)

Green BuildingGreen building refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.  (Wiki)

Green Building- LEED

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Developed by USGBCA suite of rating Systems6 Categories (Sustainable Sites, Water

Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation in Design, Regional Priority)

4 Certification Levels

Water Conservation Measures

o Water Efficient Landscaping

o Solidago (Invasive)

Efficient irrigationCaptured rainwaterRecycled wastewaterPlant species

Water Conservation Measures

Innovative Wastewater Technologies (Treat on-site)

Water Conservation Measures

o Water Use Reduction (Water-saving instruments)

ultra low volume

Water use Reduction

Cut water use by 20%, excluding irrigation

Energy Policy Acts of 1992, 2005;IAPMO/ American National StandardsInstitute UPC1-2006, UniformPlumbing Code 2006, Section402.0; International Code Council,International Plumbing Code 2006,Section 603, Design of Building WaterDistribution System

Owner, architect, engineers,design team

Credit Title

Requirements

Referenced Standards Decision Makers

Case study --Sidwell Friends School

Where: Washington DCWhen: September 2006What: LEED Platinum Building

Water Efficient Landscaping in Sidwell Friends School

Efficient irrigation:Planting native species, drought resistant and able to thrive naturally in our area eliminates the need to irrigate, saving water and energy

Captured rainwaterWater loss and soil erosion

Innovative Wastewater Technologiesin Sidwell Friends School

Restroom(toile

ts, sinks)

Pre-treatment tank

Flow

splitter

two wetla

nd terrace

cells(de-nitrification)

approximately 2 inche

s belo

w the surface,

through the

thick web of

roots and

gravel.

Excess

nitrogen is

removed from the

waste

water by

microorganisms and used by the

plants as

fertilizer.

trickling

filter (add

oxygen to) the

water)

sand

filter(Bacteria on the surface of

the grains of

sand

break

down

small

remaining

waste

particles)

Reuse Holding Tank (reclaimed water/grey water)

93% less water used

Thank you