LEED Water Efficiency Flashcards
Which factor would increase outdoor water use? A. Using low-impact development (LID) strategies B. Using turf for groundcover C. Installing submeters D. Increasing planting density
B. Using turf for groundcover
What unit of measurement is used for toilets? A. FTE B. Gallons per flush (liters per flush) C. Gallons per minute (liters per minute) D. Wastewater efficiency
B. Gallons per flush (liters per flush)
What types of water can NOT be used for flushing toilets? A. Rainwater B. Non-potable water C. Blackwater D. Graywater
C. Blackwater
Who decides if water from showers can be used for irrigation? A. USGBC via the CIR process B. Local authorities with jurisdiction in the area C. Universal plumbing code D. Project team
B. Local authorities with jurisdiction in the area
A rainwater harvesting system can help with: (Choose 2) A. Runoff management B. Reducing heat islands C. Improving site restoration D. Reducing potable water use indoors
A. Runoff management. D. Reducing potable water use indoors (can be diverted to cisterns for use in landscaping, inside flushing, and process water needs)
Which of the following occupants would be classified as FTEs? (Choose 2)
A. A cleaning person who only works in the evenings B. A receptionist C. A delivery person D. A librarian
B. A receptionist D. A librarian A full-time equivalent (FTE) represents a regular building occupant in a project building. An FTE of 1.0 means that the person is equivalent to a full-time worker, while an FTE of 0.5 signals that the worker is only half-time.
An owner of a large 1970’s apartment building wants to renovate the space to make it green. The cost of the replacing all of the porcelain plumbing fixtures is going to be cost-prohibitive for the owner. What can the project team suggest as an alternative to reduce potable water use?
(Choose 2) A. Install submeters B. Install solar hot water heaters C. Install new low-flow aerators D. Install new flush valves E. Install ENERGY STAR ovens and refrigerators
C. Install new low-flow aerators D. Install new flush valves
Indoor water use reductions require projections based on which of the following:
A. The cost of potable water B. The number of fixtures installed C. Occupants’ usage D. The gross area of the building
C. Occupants’ usage
Which of the following is effective at reducing potable water use indoors?
A. Installing submeters B. Implementing cooling tower water management C. Installing fixtures that meet the EPAct 1992 standard D. Installing low-consumption flush fixtures and low-flow rate faucets
D. Installing low-consumption flush fixtures and low-flow rate faucets
Occupancy calculations may be needed for which of the following project documentations? (Choose 2)
A. Bicycle facilities B. Surrounding density C. Indoor water use D. Water metering
A. Bicycle facilities C. Indoor water use
What are the benefits of reducing potable water use in buildings?
(Choose 2)
A. Reduced contamination of nearby water bodies B. Reduced drawdown of water from water bodies and aquifers C. Decreased building operating costs D. Increased irrigation efficiency
B. Reduced drawdown of water from water bodies and aquifers C. Decreased building operating costs
Which of the following does a facility operator need in order to optimize water consumption?
A. Submetering of water-using systems B. The operating times of the building C. The schedules of the occupants D. Fixture cutsheets of waterless urinals
A. Submetering of water-using systems
To optimize systems, the systems must be measured. Submetering helps monitor which systems are using more water than others, which are using too much water, and which may have leaks.
A project that reduces the amount of wastewater transported off site helps achieve which of the following? (Choose 2)
A. A reduction in the need for graywater used on site B. A reduction in energy required to treat wastewater C. A reduction in the demand for wastewater treatment infrastructure D. A reduction in the demand for potable water
B. A reduction in energy required to treat wastewater C. A reduction in the demand for wastewater treatment infrastructure
What type of plants do the most to help reduce water use for landscaping?
A. Turf grass B. Annual flowers C. Trees D. Native plants
D. Native Plants
To help with water use reduction in LEED, a lavatory faucet must use less water than the rates set by:
A. Clean Water Act B. Local code C. EPAct of 1992 D. WaterSense
C. EPAct of 1992. The design case must reduce water use 20% over the baseline. In order to do this, low flow fixtures must be used in the design, or replacing potable water with graywater/rainwater. Think of the fixtures and flow rates of EPAct 1992 as the worst case scenario.
WaterSense labels apply to what products?
(Choose 3) A. Private lavatory faucets B. Toilets C. Washing machines D. Irrigation submeters E. Showerheads
A. Private lavatory faucets B. Toilets E. Showerheads
What landscaping strategy will best eliminate the need for irrigation?
A. Mulching B. Xeriscaping C. Micro-irrigation D. Drip irrigation
B. Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that employs drought-resistant plants to minimize or eliminate water use.
Which of the following would a landscape architect use to measure the outdoor water use of a project?
A. Local historic records B. EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool C. IPC and UPC codes D. EPAct 1992
B. EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool
The WaterSense Water Budget Tool is a free online tool to help calculate the percent of outdoor water use reduction in LEED.
Which of the following are strategies for conserving potable water?
A. Increasing the infiltration of runoff B. Installing a dual flush toilet C. Installing a bioretention pond D. Installing an onsite septic system
B. Installing a dual flush toilet
A dual flush toilet has two different flow rates depending on the type of waste. These toilets can use less potable water than a standard toilet.
In LEED which approach is taken in the Water Efficiency category to conserve water?
A. Using nonpotable water first B. Efficiency first C. Treating and reusing wastewater on site D. Using alternative sources of water first
B. Efficiency first
Which of the following occupants would be classified as an FTE?
A. A museum visitor B. A full-time telecommuter C. A part-time salesman D. A full-time cafeteria worker
D. A full-time cafeteria worker
If a project owner wants to create a landscape with plants that require watering, which of the following is the minimum outdoor water reduction from a baseline required for a new office project?
A. 10% B. 40% C. 30% D. 20%
C. 30%
For which of the following credit areas would a site plan be submitted for documentation?
A. Acoustic design B. Demand response C. Furniture reuse D. Outdoor water use reduction
D. Outdoor water use reduction
The landscape area would need to be documented to show the types of plants, the different areas of vegetation, where irrigation will go, etc.
What unit of measurement is used for a lavatory faucet?
A. Process water rate B. Gallons / liters per minute C. Gallons / liters per flush D. Design efficiency
B. Gallons / liters per minute. From the EPAct standard of 1992, the baseline flow rate for a lavatory faucet is 2.2 gpm (gallons per minute
Which of the following is the appropriate way to document whether a bathroom sink qualifies for an indoor water use reduction?
A. By choosing the product manufacturer in LEED online B. By occupancy calculations C. By submitting the total quantity of fixtures D. By fixture cut sheets
D. By fixture cut sheets
Part of the documentation process for water saving fixtures is to include the manufacturer’s cut sheets that describe the water-saving aspects of the fixture.
Harvesting rainwater can help with what project areas?
A. Minimizing impervious areas B. Reducing fertilization needs for the landscape C. Minimizing site hardscapes D. Reducing runoff
D. Reducing runoff