3- Site Design- Water

Question 1

All Prereqs/Credits in Site Design - Water

Answer 1

Water P3.1- Manage precipitation on site (required)
Water P3.2- Reduce water use for landscape irrigation (required)
Water C3.3- Manage precip beyond baseline (4-6 points)
Water C3.4- Reduce outdoor water (4-6 points)
Water C3.5- Design functional stormwater features as amenities (4-6 points)
Water C3.6- Restore aquatic ecosystems (4-6 points)

Question 2

P3.1: Manage precipitation on site

Intent

Answer 2

Reduce negative impacts to aquatic ecosystems, channel morphology, and dry weather base flow by replicating natural hydrologic conditions and retaining precip. on site.

Question 3

P3.1: Manage precipitation on site

Requirements

Answer 3

• Retain the precip volume from 60th percentile precip event as defined by EPA.
• Retain precip volume through on-site filtration, evapotranspiration, and reuse.
  
  • Use runoff-reduction strategies (Ex-biofiltration through plants, soil) that also improve water quality.
  • Cisterns, if used, must be implemented in combination with other approaches to meet the rq of this prereq.
• Ensure this section of site maint. plan is filled out.

*** Note - if 60th percentile retention is not possible (example- due to clay soils, geotech issues, high groundwater elev.) - retain max precip possible.

Question 4

P3.1: Manage precipitation on site

Submittal docs

Answer 4

• Calc documenting the precip volume from the 60th percentile precip event.
• Calcs confirming there is sufficient capactiy on site to retain and infiltrate, use, or evapotranspirate the precip volume from 60th percentile precip event in fewer than 3 days from the time of initial retention:
  
  • Total volume capactiy of stormwater features
  • Designed infiltration rates
  • Evapotranspiration rates, veg cover type, and area calc of vegetative cover if stormwater features use evapotransp to reduce volume
  • Total volume capacity for rainwater harvesting systems (ex-cisterns) & discharge strategies, if applicable.
• Narrative describing:
  
  • The process used to determine 60th percentile rain event. (or explain which conditions prevent from meeting)
  • Analysis conducted to demonstrate max precip volume retained based on site features & water use factors
  • The measures implemented on site to manage precip volume.

Question 5

P3.1: Manage precipitation on site

Documentation Guidance

Answer 5

To find project locations 60th percentile rain event:
- Find long-term rainfall record from nearby weather station. Min 30 years of daily records. Obtain from NOAA, etc.
- Remove data set data for rainfall events that are .1 inch or less & snowfall events that do not immediately melt. DELETE because they do not impact run offf.
- Use spreadsheet or simple stats package, sort rainfall events from high to low.
In the next column, calc the percentage of rainfall events that are less than each ranked event (event number / total number of events).
- Use the rainfall event at 60 percent as the 60th percentile storm event.
- Calc the volume of rainfall over the total area of impervious surfaces to determine the volume of precip runoff that must be managed on site.
- Compare the runoff volume calculated with the designed management volume of stormwater features. When sizing stormwater features or rainwater harvesting systems, consider infiltration rates, evapo rates, rainwater harvesting outflow rates.

Question 6

P3.1: Manage precipitation on site

Rec Strategies

Answer 6

• Ensure discharge volumes & rates do not increase natural rate of erosion in receiving water channels.
• Impl strategies to reduce runoff volumes, peak flows & pollutant dischages.
• Impl. strategies to increase evapotransp, filtration & infiltration, and mitigate elevated water temps caused by contact with impervious surfaces:
  
  • Minimize impervious surfaces
  • Drain into on-site landscape areas
  • Increase infiltration opportunities (like bioswales, raingardens, water quality ponds).
  • Where conveyance systems are needed, use veg channels or non-erosive materials (over using pipes, culverts, or underground channels).
  • Create living landscapes ex- veg roofs, raingardens, etc.
  • Select veg that can handle inundation.
  • Select plants appropriate for the site & climate based on their capacity to reduce pollutant loadings for specific pollutants of concern.
• Increase organic matter content of the soil to improve retention capacity
• Use rainwater-harvesting systems to reduce run off.
  Avoid / minimize use of: copper and zinc roofs, roof gutters, downspouts, and siidng, galvanized materials, treated lumber. (all sources of pollutants in stormwater).
• Use integrated pest management practices (IPM)
• Min. use of fertilizers on site & implement practices to reduce nutrient runoff.
  Plan for & implement maintenance activities designed to reduce exposure of pollutants to stormwater such as:
  
  • Min exposure of stored materials
  • Develop & implement a contaminated / chemical spill response plan.
  • Min the use of salt or harmful de-icing chemicals.
  • Avoid on-site maintenance of construction equipment to reduce pollutant loadings of oils, grease, or hydraulic fluids.
  • Avoid on-site fueling of vehicles to the max extent.
• Where appropriate, implement systems of practices in treatment train.
• Use soil & veg-based controls based on their capacity to reduce precip runoff and pollutant loadings through evapo & phtyo.
• ## Maintain infiltration rates & regenerate the absorption capacity of the soils.

Question 7

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Intent

Answer 7

Conserve water resources & minimize energy use by reducing the use of potable water, natural surface water & groundwater withdrawals for landscape irrigation after the est. period.

Question 8

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Requirements

Answer 8

• only applies to long-term water use for the final vegetated area beyond the establishment period.
• reduce or eliminate the use of potable water, natural surface water, and groundwater withdrawals for landscape irrigation
• Use the EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool to ID the baseline case & water savings
  
  • Reduce water usage by at least 50% from the baseline case beyond the establishment period
    
    • If the water source does not come from potable source, local health standards must be met.
    • Install water meters to record and measure water usage to compare to the established baseline.
      OR: design the landscape to not require a perm irrigation system.
• Ensure sections of the site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) are complete & describe the anticipated watering schedule & process for maintaining non-potable irrigation water sources.

Question 9

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Exemptions

Answer 9

Water volume used for the following purposes may be included or excluded from irrigation calcs at the project team’s discretion:
- Water used during establishment period
- Water used to irrigate non-commercial food production gardens - irrigation used on edible plants should not harm human health.
- Water used as required by local regulations in fire-prone areas for fire suppression systems
- Water used for athletic fields (if vegetated)

Question 10

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Submittal docs

Answer 10

• Planting plan, including planting schedule showing plant types, associated sq ftges, and landscape coefficients.
• Irrigation plan clearly indicating water sources (ex-if perm irrigation is installed).
• Avg monthly evapotranspiration & avg monthly rainfall for the site’s peak watering month, including sources of information for a historic period of at least 10 years.
• Water budget calcs for baseline, landscape water allowance (LWA), landscape water requirement (LWR), and results - using US EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool.
• Narrative describing:
  
  • landscaping and irrigation design strategies employed by the project, incl. during the establishment period.
  • Size, brand, model number of the water meter installed & how the data will be used to manage the irrigation system.
  • Reasoning to support the use of selected landscape coefficient values (K) for the plant types on site, incl. references
• For projects using non-potable water, info about source & quantity
• For projects using temporary irrigation systems, type of system used & process for decommissioning the system at the end of the establishment period.
• In the case of planned service for reclaimed water, show that the relevant agency has provided a “letter of availability” committing to provide the reclaimed water for the project.

Question 11

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Benefits

Answer 11

• US, irrigation uses 7 billion gallons of water per day
• Half of irrigation water can be wasted
• Reducing water waste decreases electricity use @ water treatment facilities.

Question 11

P3.2: Reduce water use for landscape irrigation

Rec strategies

Answer 11

Reduce potable water use:

• Max captured stormwater
• Design self sustaining systems, limit water use to time of planting only
• Plant at optimal season for watering establishment
• Use only regionally appropriate turf grasses
• Improve water retention by increasing organic matter (compost)
• Separate plants in hydro-zones
• Use drip irrigation & climate-based controllers
• Reuse water
• If graywater or wastewater use for irrigation, consider chemical tests.
• Use water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for non-potable uses.

Question 12

C3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline

Intent

Answer 12

Maintain site water balance, protect water quality, and reduce negative impacts to aquatic systems, channel morphology, and dry weather base flow by replicating natural hydrologic conditions and providing retention and treatment for precip on site.

Question 13

C3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline

Available Points

Answer 13

4-6 points

• 80th percentile precip event = 4 points
• 90th percentile precip event = 5 points
• 95th percentile precip event = 6 points

Question 14

C3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline

Requirements

Answer 14

Through on-site infiltration, evapotranspiration, and harvest use, retain or treat the max precipitation volume beyond the required baseline precip volume of the 60th percentile precip event described in Water P3.1

• Retain or treat max precip volume on site for the desire point total.
• For treatment of any precip volume NOT retained:
  
  • Treat any volume of runoff using an appropriate technology
  • Ensure the entirety of precip event not retained is treated, and that remaining runoff will be discharged at discharge rate limit
  • BMPS scaled to account for the additional volume of runoff entering from areas off site. (treatment practices must achieve, at min, an average discharge concentration of less than or equal to 25 mg per liter total suspended solids for the volume treated.) (in cases where receiving waters are impaired or threated by specific pollutants of concern, treatment must be provided for these pollutants).
• Ensure sections of the site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) are complete

Question 15

C3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline

Submittal docs - requirements for retention

Answer 15

• calcs documenting the percentile precip volume retained beyond the 60th % percentile precip event.
• calcs to confirm there is sufficient capacity on site to retain, use, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate the precip volume beyond 60% percentile event in fewer than THREE days from the time of initial retention.
• Calcs should include at a minimum:
  
  • Total volume capacity of stormwater features
  • Designed infiltration rates, evapotranspiration rates, and veg cover for stormwater features
• Total volume capacity of rainwater harvesting systems
• Narrative describing:
  
  • Analysis conducted to demonstrate that the max precip volume selected, beyond the 60th percentile precip event, has been retained on site based on site and water use factors per the requirement.
  • Measures implemented on site to manage precip volume.

Question 16

C3.3: Manage precipitation beyond baseline

Submittal docs - requirements for treatment

Answer 16

only for the percentile precip volume selected that is NOT retained, infiltrated, evapotr., or harvested and used.

• Calcs documenting the precip volume treated beyond the 60th percentile precip event
• Narrative describing:
  
  • Measures implemented on site to manage & treat stormwater runoff volume. Incl any innovative technologies & their performance measures, which should demonstrate pollutant remove for an avg discharge concentration of less than or equal to 25 mg per liter total suspended solids for volume treated.
  • Selection of exterior materials to avoid the generation of pollutants & specific pollutants of concern to runoff.
• List of specific pollutants of concern.

Question 17

C3.4: Reduce outdoor water use

Intent

Answer 17

Conserve water resources & minimize energy use by encouraging alt irrigation methods and water conservation strategies that limit or eliminate the use of potable water, natural surface water, and groundwater withdrawals for landscape irrigation and other outdoor water use.

Question 18

C3.4: Reduce outdoor water use

Points available

Answer 18

4-6 points

Option 1: Reduce outdoor water use (4 points)
Option 2: Signif reduce outdoor water use (5 points)
Option 3: Eliminate outdoor water use (6 points)

Question 19

C3.4: Reduce outdoor water use

Option 1: Reduce Outdoor Water Use

Answer 19

4 points

For landscape irrigation:
- Reduce water use by at least 75% from a baseline case beyond the establishment period.
use EPA WaterSense tool.
- Install water meters to record and measure water usage to compare to the established baseline.

For created water features:
- Verify that 50% of annual make-up water for site water features comes form non-potable water sources OR that site water features only require a total of 10,000 gals of less potable water annually.
Note that initial filling may be derived from potable water if less than 37,500 gallons
- Ensure the section of the O+M is complete

Question 20

C3.4: Reduce outdoor water use

Option 2: Significantly Reduce Outdoor Water Use

Answer 20

5 points

For landscape irrigation:
- Use no potable water or other natural surface or groundwater withdrawal resources for landscape irrigation beyond the establishment period. (Use EPA WaterSense Tool)
- Install water meters to record & measure water usage to compare to the established baseline
- Use temp irrigation systems that rely on potable water during est. period only if such systems will be removed after end of the period.
- Use this for irrigation ONLY after the est. period: (Captured rainwater, reclaimed water, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater, air-conditioner condensate, blowdown water from boilers and cooling towers, water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for non-potable uses).

For created water features:
- Site water features must total 5000 gallons or less of potable water annually
OR
- 75% of annual make-up water for water features must come from non-potable water sources.
- ensure the section of site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) is complete. Plan must describe maintenance that does NOT use chemicals likely to harm aquatic life.

Question 21

C3.4: Eliminate outdoor water use

Option 3: Eliminate outdoor water use

Answer 21

6 points

For landscape irrigation:
- Eliminate long-term irrigation
- Use this for irrigation ONLY after the est. period: (Captured rainwater, reclaimed water, recycled wastewater, recycled graywater, air-conditioner condensate, blowdown water from boilers and cooling towers, water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for non-potable uses).

For created water features:
- 100% of annual make-up water for water features must come from non-potable water sources.
- Ensure the section of site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) is complete. Plan must describe maintenance that does NOT use chemicals likely to harm aquatic life.

Question 22

C3.4: Eliminate outdoor water use

Submittal docs (For all options)

Answer 22

For all options -

• Planting plan, incl. planting schedule, showing plant types, associated square footages, and landscape coefficients.
• Irrigation plan showing water sources:
  
  • For projects using non-potable water, including specific info regarding source & available quantity of non-potable supplies, as well as documentation providing the project meets local health standards.
• Water budget calcs made for Baseline, LWA, LWR & results using EPA WaterSense tool.
• Average monthly evapotransp. & avg monthly rainfall for the site’s peak watering month. Incl. sources of info for a historic period of at least 10 years.
• Narrative describing:
  The landscaping & irrigation design strategies, including during the establishment period.
  The reasoning to support the use of selected landscape coefficient values (K)
  The size, brand, and model number of the water meter installed, and how the data will be used to manage the irrigation system.
• For projects that use temp irrigation systems, describe the type of irrigation system used & the process for decommissioning the system at the end of the specified est. period.

Question 23

C3.4: Eliminate outdoor water use

Submittal docs (For sites with created water features)

Answer 23

• Site plan showing locations of water features
• Calcs demonstrating that they can meet water reqs with non-potable water sources supplies.
• Documentation proving the project meets local health standards for the use of non-potable water if applicable
  (Where local health code requires the use of treatment using chemicals, such as chlorine or bromine, provide the selection of the local health code stating such requirements).

Question 24

C3.5: Design functional stormwater features as amenities

Intent

Answer 24

Provide a connection to the local climate and hydrology by integrating aesthetically pleasing stormwater features that are visually and physically accessible and manage on-site stormwater.

Question 25

C3.5: Design functional stormwater features as amenities

Points

Answer 25

4-5 points available

• 50% of stormwater features
• 100% of stormwater features

Question 26

C3.5: Design functional stormwater features as amenities

Requirements

Answer 26

Apply to stormwater features that use precip as their sole source of water - that function as stormwater management elements. Must be designed to be visually and physically accessible to stie users form proposed high-use portions of the site.

Ensure site precip treated as an amenity for at least
- 50% of stormwater features (4 points)
- 100% of stormwater features (5 points)

• Percentages are based on total square footage of the stormwater features, including conveyance features.
• Cisterns & vaults that are used for retention purposes and considered amenities should be included in calcs. EXCLUDE those used only for rainwater collection & reuse.
• Ensure section of site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) is complete

Question 27

C3.5: Design functional stormwater features as amenities

Submittal Docs

Answer 27

Site plan indicating location of Stormwater features that are considered amenities & proximity / relationship of features to high-use portions of the site.

Calcs of the total sq footage of stormwater features, including conveyance features.

Narrative describing:
- Hos site precip is treated as amenity in way it is received, conveyed, and managed on site.
- How the stormwater feature is made visually and physically accessible to site users & its relationship to proposed high-use portions of the site.
>Inc. documentation showing features are in compliance with local & state health standards.
- How the stormwater feature is integrated into the site in an aesthetically pleasing way.
- Photos illustrating described amenity.

Question 28

C3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems

Intent

Answer 28

Support healthy functioning of aquatic ecosystems for fish, other wildlife, and people by restoring the ecological function, integrity, and resiliency of those ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed.

Question 29

C3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems

Points

Answer 29

4 - 6 points

Restoring geographic extent of the aquatic ecosystem within the SITES project boundary for a minimum of:
- 30% of the geographic extent (4 points)
- 60% of the geographic extent (5 points_
- 90% of the geographic extent (6 points)

Question 30

C3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems

Requirements

Answer 30

These apply to sites that contain only these aquatic ecosystems that have been degraded, damaged, or destroyed:
- Marine/Estuarine
- Riverine
- Lacustrine
- Palustrine

Degradation may be a result of:
- Artificial modification
- Sea level rise
- Alteration of natural hydrology
- Loss of native flora and fauna
- Invasive species
- Alteration of biological processes
- Soils
- Geomorphology
- Water quality

• Ensure section of the site assessment (P2.2) is complete & shows extents of aquatic ecosystems.
• Restore the geographic extent:
  >30% (4 pts)
  > 60% (5 pts)
  > 90% (6 pts)
• Develop restoration plan based on the nine attributes of restored ecosystems
  >Include description of the ref site and its conditions, incl. native plant communities, appropriate aquatic habitat, water quality improvements, and stable bank or shoreline conditions.
  >Restoration of river / stream channels must also be inclusive of their respective floodplain and riparian zone. Restoration of lands & ponds must be inclusive of their respective shorelines.
• Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (O+M P8.1) is complete & includes ongoing management activities.

Question 31

C3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems

Attributes of Restored Ecosystems

Answer 31

1. Restored ecosystem contains characteristic assemblage of the species that occur in reference ecosystem & provide approp. community structure.
2. Restored ecosystem consists of indigenous species to the greatest practicable extent.
3. All functional groups necess. for the continued development and/or stability of the restored ecosystem are represented. (if not - missing groups have potential to colonize by natural means).
4. Physical environment of restored ecosystem is capable of sustaining reproducing pops of species necessary for continued stability / development along desired trajectory.
5. Restored ecosystem functions normally for its ecological stage of development (signs of dysfunction are absent).
6. Restored ecosystem is suitably integrated into a larger ecological matrix / landscape, interacts through abiotic & biotic flows and exchanges.
7. Potential threats to the health & integrity of the restored ecosystem from the surrounding landscape have been eliminated or reduced as much as possible.
8. Restored ecosystem is sufficiently resilient to endure normal periodic stress events.
9. Restored ecosystem is self-sustaining to the same degree as the ref system & has potential to persist indefinitely under existing environmental conditions.

Question 32

C3.6: Restore aquatic ecosystems

Submittal docs

Answer 32

• Site plan & ecological assessment ID-ing and describing the geographic extent of damaged ecosystem & proposed area of restoration.
  > Include calcs & dimensions of the existing & proposed restored geographic extent of the aquatic ecosystems to prove restoration has been achieved.
  Ref site conditions needed to determine calcs.
• Restoration plan:
  > description of ref site conditions
  > Narrative describing how project meets objections of the 9 attributes of restored ecosystems.
  > Narrative describing restoration strategies implemented for each aquatic ecosystem to be restored.
• Signature from restoration ecologist / expert verifying restoration plan