Water Efficiency - 9 Flashcards
How can you reduce landscape irrigation needs (5)?
- Use native and/or adaptive plants
- Xeriscaping
- Reduce turf grasses or monocultures
- Drip irrigation
- Scheduling and/or Weather based irrigation systems
What is rainwater harvesting?
Collecting rainwater in cisterns, barrels or storage tanks with the intention to use for non-potable water uses.
What type of water should be used for irrigation?
- Rainwater
2. Gray water (if local code permits)
What is an example of a water-less fixture?
Water-less urinal
What is the flow rate of a standard shower?
2.5 gpm
What is gray water?
Non-industrial waste water generated from domestic processes such as dish-washing, laundry and bathing.
What is black water?
Tends to be water generated from flushing toilets, though sink and laundry water can be included (if code dictates)
What are submeters used for?
+ Used for measuring water flow
+ They are placed on smaller portions of a larger system
+ Used to measure individual water use within building
What water based building systems should be monitored (3)?
+ Toilets
+ Faucets
+ Showers
What is the EPAct of 1992?
1992 (EPAct 1992) sets the standard for toilets and other water fixtures in both commercial and residential models.
How can potable water use be reduced for irrigation (3)?
- Use graywater or rainwater for watering
- Use drip irrigation
- Install native and adaptive plant
What is a FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT (FTE)?
Is a regular building occupant who spends 40 hours per week in the project building.
(Part-time or overtime occupants have FTE values based on their hours per week divided by 40. Multiple shifts are included or excluded depending on the intent and requirements of the credit.)
What two measurements are used to calculate a percent reduction in water use?
A baseline design case and an installed design case
What are transient occupants?
Building visitors and other part-time or occasional occupants, such as students, volunteers, visitors, etc.
What variables are used in determining FTE calculations?
- Type of building occupant (fulltime, part-time, transient)
- Hours worked per week.
HARVESTED RAINWATER can be substituted for what types of potable water use (4)?
- Landscape irrigation
- Fire suppression
- Toilet and urinal flushing
- Custodial uses
What does GPF stand for?
Gallons per Flush. The unit of measurement for flush fixtures (urinals, water closets)
What does GPM stand for?
Gallons per Minute. The unit of measurement for flow fixtures (faucets, showers)
What is graywater?
Domestic wastewater composed of wash water from kitchen, bathroom, and laundry sinks, tubs, and washers. (EPA)
What codes define GRAYWATER?
- Local and state authorities
- Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) in its Appendix G
- Gray Water Systems for Single-Family Dwellings
- The International Plumbing Code (IPC) Appendix C
- Gray Water Recycling Systems
Irrigation impacts what LEED categories?
- Water Efficiency (WE)
2. Energy and Atmosphere (EA)
What is BLACKWATER?
Blackwater is wastewater from toilets and urinals.
(Wastewater from kitchen sinks (perhaps differentiated by the use of a garbage disposal),showers, or bathtubs is considered blackwater under some state or local codes.)
What is XERISCAPING?
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method that makes routine irrigation unnecessary.
(It uses drought-adaptive and low-water plants as well as soil amendments such as compost and mulches to reduce evaporation.)
Water saving fixtures can reduce water use in a project by what amount?
30% (USGBC)
What is DRIP IRRIGATION?
Drip irrigation delivers water at low pressure through buried mains and sub mains.
(Water is distributed to the soil through a network of perforated tubes or emitters. Drip irrigation is much more efficient than traditional sprinkler systems.)
What are NATIVE or INDIGENOUS plants?
They are adapted to a given area during a defined time period and are not invasive.
(In North America, the term often refers to plants growing in a region prior to the time of settlement by people of European descent.)
What is the definition of POTABLE WATER?
Potable water meets or exceeds EPA’s drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction; it may be supplied from wells or municipal water systems.
What are some uses of NONPOTABLE water (4)?
- Landscape irrigation
- toilet and urinal flushing
- custodial purposes
- building systems.
What would you use the EPAct of 1992 for?
Measuring the baseline case water use for the Water Efficiency credits.
What are some examples of GRAYWATER?
- Water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, water from clothes-washer and laundry tubs.
- Some cases allow for kitchen sinks depending on state and local authorities.
Reductions in potable water consumption from water efficient landscaping are attributed to what techniques?
Choosing the correct plant species, density and microclimate factors, Irrigation efficiency, use of captured rainwater, use of recycled wastewater, use of water treated and conveyed by a public agency specifically for nonpotable uses or absolutely no potable water use.
What are some ways to capture rainwater to prevent runoff (3)?
- Rain gardens
- Green roofs
- Retention/Bioretention pond
What factors are used to establish a baseline water demand when calculating for water efficiency in commercial or residential applications (5)?
Calculations are based on estimated occupancy usage and must include only the following fixtures and fixture fittings (as applicable to the project scope):
- toilets - urinals - kitchen/lavatory faucets - showers - pre-rinse spray valves
In LEED Water Efficiency addresses what environmental concerns for building use and disposal (4)?
- Monitoring water consumption performance
- reduction in indoor potable water consumption
- reduction in water consumption to save energy and improve environmental well-being
- practice water-efficient landscaping.
PROCESS WATER is used for what purpose?
Process water is used for industrial processes
(such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. The term can also refer to water used in operational processes, such as dishwashing, clothes washing, and ice making.)
What is an AQUIFER?
An aquifer is an underground water-bearing rock formation or group of formations that supply groundwater, wells, or springs.
Low-flow fixtures use less water than what standard?
EPAct 1992
What are some examples of applications that use AUTOMATIC FIXTURE SENSORS?
- Lavatories
- sinks
- water closets
- urinals
Wastewater from toilets is what type of water?
Blackwater
Wastewater from kitchen sinks is what type of water?
Gray /Blackwater depends on local code
Wastewater from faucets is what type of water?
Graywater
What is WaterSense?
WaterSense is a partnership program sponsored the EPA, helping consumers identify water-efficient products and programs.
What type of water is DRINKING WATER?
Potable water
What are native plants?
Plants that are adapted to local conditions and are easier to grow and maintain.
(This low maintenance approach means savings in both time and money. Once established, native plants better withstand variations in local climate such as droughts and freezes.)
What are adaptive plants?
Non-native plants that use less fertilizer, pesticides and water in a given landscape.
(These plants have adapted to the local climate and are not considered invasive plants or weeds.)
What is irrigation efficiency?
The percentage of water delivered by irrigation equipment that is actually used for irrigation and does not evaporate, blow away, or fall on hardscape.
(USGBC).
(Drip irrigation has an efficiency of 90% while conventional overhead sprinklers have an efficiency of 65%.)
What is the baseline flow rate of a faucet?
2.2 gpm (gallons per minute)
What is the baseline flush rate of a urinal?
1.0 gpf (gallons per flush)
What is the baseline flush rate of a water closet?
1.6 gpf (gallons per flush)
How much water does a waterless urinal consume?
None
What type of water is municipally supplied reclaimed/recycled water?
Nonpotable water
The water use of a faucet is measured using what units?
Gallons per Minute (gpm)
The water use of a water closet is measured in what units?
Gallons per Flush (gpf)
What are the benefits of NATIVE PLANTS?
Native plants require less water, less maintenance, less fertilizer, and are more pest resistant.
What is RECLAIMED WATER?
Reclaimed water is water that has been treated for reuse.
What types of plants does LEED recommended using in landscape design?
Native and/or adaptive plants.
What is HARVESTED RAINWATER?
Harvested rainwater is rainwater that has been collected for uses such as landscaping irrigation, toilet flushing, or other non-potable water uses.
What are some types of flow fixtures?
- Showerhead
- Spray valve
- Lavatory faucet
What are some types of flushing fixtures?
Urinal Water closet (toilet)
What is the baseline water demand of a building?
The estimated occupant usage of a project’s fixtures and fittings using the flush and flow rates from the EPAct 1992 standard
What standard is used to determine the baseline water demand of a building?
EPAct 1992
What is WaterSense used for in LEED?
To identify fixtures in a LEED building are both water efficient and high performing.
How is water performance measurement accomplished?
Metering and submetering.
What is an REGULARLY OCCUPIED SPACE?
- Conference rooms
- guest rooms
- kitchens
- hotel lobby
What products can have a WaterSense label?
- Toilets
- Private lavatory faucets
- Showerheads
What is a REGULAR BUILDING OCCUPANT?
Habitual users of a building.
Name the different types of regular building occupants
- Employees
- Staff
- Volunteers
- Residents
- Primary and secondary school students
- Hotel guests
- Inpatients
What is a VISITOR?
Visitors (also called ‘transients’) intermittently use a LEED building.
Name the different type of building visitors.
- Retail customers
- Outpatients
- Volunteers
- Higher-education students
