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Water Efficiency

Water reduction and efficiency strategies can be implemented at both the building and site level. At the building level, the following strategies could be implemented:

• Use of low-flow fixtures- Specify waterless urinals, low-flow or composting toilets and high-efficiency faucets and dishwashers, which use a lot less water than conventional technologies.
• Use of automatic controls- Specify automatic flush toilet, timed sensors at faucet or water flow areas.
• Use of a “gray water” system- Install a plumbing system that recycles water at your site. Known as "gray water," this recycled water can be used to flush toilets, fill a cooling tower or irrigate landscaping.
• Use of a closed-loop cooling towers- A closed-loop cooling tower can save hundreds of gallons of water per day on average by reducing evaporation.
• Use of non-chemical cooling towers and water conditioning systems- These use polarization technology or sand filtration combined with ozone for disinfection instead of chemicals, helping keep polluted discharge out of the sewer system, and lower water consumption by reducing the need for make-up water.

At the site level there are multiple strategies for reducing water use, conserving water on site and for dealing with storm water flow patterns that will be affected by the development of the site:
• Landscape with plants that are well adapted to the local climate.
• Choose a micro-irrigation system, instead of traditional sprinklers, to deliver water to your grounds more efficiently.
• Use collected water for irrigation- This can be from water catchment systems or graywater systems.
• Consider using a “xeriscape” design- Xeriscaping is the use of low-water, drought resistant plants and plants that are accustomed to the local rainwater patterns.
• Provide for groundwater recharge through effective stormwater infiltration designs.
• Porous Surfaces- Plastic grid-good for pedestrian and light traffic areas; Porous asphalt, Porous Portland cement- good for parking areas and roadways.
• Bioswales-vegetated open channels to slow down storm water and allow for natural filtration.
• Retention Ponds-hold stormwater until it can be released or evaporated
• Green Roofs-effective use of rain water

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