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BEAM P
LUS FOR
E
XISTING
B
UILDINGS
W
ATER
U
SE
(W
U
)
V
ERSION
1.2
W
U
3 W
ATER
U
SE FOR
I
RRIGATION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 98
5
W
ATER
U
SE
5.1
W
ATER
C
ONSERVATION
W
U
3 W
ATER
U
SE FOR
I
RRIGATION
E
XCLUSIONS
Where soft landscaping and planting coverage is less than 50% of the
area of the building footprint.
O
BJECTIVE
Reduce the reliance on potable water for irrigation.
C
REDITS ATTAINABLE
1
P
REREQUISITES
None.
C
REDIT REQUIREMENT
1 credit for limited use of fresh water for the purposes of irrigation.
Alternately,
1 credit for demonstrating highly efficient irrigation technology and/or the
use of harvested rainwater and/or recycled grey water to reduce fresh
water consumption for irrigation by 50% or more in comparison with
conventional irrigation of water intensive planting.
A
SSESSMENT
The Client shall provide a report prepared by a suitably qualified person
describing the soft landscaping design, species of plants, etc, and
confirm that, after a period of establishment of the plants and vegetation,
irrigation will not require the use of municipal potable (fresh) water
supply.
Alternatively, the Client shall demonstrate highly efficient irrigation
technology and/or the use of harvested rainwater and/or recycled grey
water to reduce fresh (mains) water consumption for irrigation by 50% or
more in comparison with conventional irrigation of water intensive
planting.
Water use reduction may be demonstrated by comparing the metered
data to any suitable benchmark, or may be demonstrated by calculations
provided by a suitably qualified person.
B
ACKGROUND
Where a building development contains significant landscaping, as
defined by the coverage of soft landscaping, greenery and planters there
is likely to be a significant consumption of potable water. Irrigation by
lower quality (harvested or recycled) water can be equally effective.
Native plants can survive without additional watering, and require less
fertilizer and pesticides, thereby reducing impacts on local waters.