Rating System

LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors, LEED ID+C: Commercial Interiors

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0, v3 - LEED 2009

Inquiry

Our project has made water efficiency a high priority and has elected to install 0.5 GPM flow restrictors with occupancy sensors on all lavatory faucets, waterless urinals and dual flush toilets throughout. In our analysis regarding whether to continue our application under the LEED CI version 2 system or switch over to LEED CI v2009, we were surprised to find out that we would not be able to reach the 30% threshold and would therefore not be able to achieve any points for WEc1 under the version 2009 system, despite the fact that we have selected some of the most efficient fixtures available on the market. Using the fixtures listed above, we are able to achieve 45.9% savings under the v2 system, but only 29% savings under the new system due to the fact the baseline flow rate for lavatories under the v2009 system is 0.5 GPM instead of 2.2 GPM. In essence, the bar is set higher under the new system, but the baseline flow rate for lavatories is also much more stringent, making it near impossible to achieve points under this credit without the use of composting toilets, gray water systems or rainwater systems - which are not allowed by high rise buildings in our area. We have two questions: 1) Given the fact that it will be near impossible for the majority of LEED CI project to achieve points for WEc1 under the v2009 system despite selecting the most efficient fixtures on the market, we\'d like to ask the USGBC to reconsider the threshold for achieving points, particularly since the baseline for faucets in v2009 changed significantly. We suggest lowering the first v2009 threshold for points to 25% water savings which would allow projects that use 1/8 gallon, high efficiency urinals to potentially earn points. An alternative solution would be to use the same baseline as version 2, while keeping the raised v2009 threshold at 30% savings. 2) If you are not willing to reconsider the threshold or adjust the baseline for faucets, please advise how we might achieve points for WEc1 under the v2009 system in cases where composting toilets, gray water systems and rain water catchment system are not allowed. Keep in mind we\'re already using 0.5 GPM flow restrictors and occupancy sensors on all faucets, waterless urinals and dual flush toilets throughout.