INTENT
The intent of this Imperative is to encourage projects to treat water like a precious resource, minimizing waste and the use of potable water, while avoiding downstream impacts and pollution.
REQUIREMENTS
All projects must develop and adhere to a comprehensive water budget that reflects a minimum 25% reduction in water usage from interior fixtures relative to an EPAct 2005 baseline and best-in-class water-consuming equipment. The team must also develop and execute a comprehensive Water Conservation Plan to ensure the annual budget is met, including implementation of a leak detection system.
Affordable housing projects can use water Handprinting combined with project efficiency to meet water savings goals.
Projects may not use must potable water for irrigation, must treat all stormwater on-site without chemicals, and manage all stormwater based on both historic hydrology and current ecological conditions, as determined by a qualified professional.
All projects on a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) system or in a floodplain (based on an Exception), must incorporate stormwater detention and avoid surface flow off the site.
