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BEAM PLUS FOR NEW B UILDINGS WATER USE (WU)
V ERSION 1.2 WU 3 WATER E FFICIENT IRRIGATION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 130
5 WATER USE 5.1 WATER CONSERVATION
WU 3 WATER EFFICIENT IRRIGATION
EXCLUSIONS Where soft landscaping and planting coverage is less than 50% of the
area of the building footprint.
OBJECTIVE Reduce the reliance on potable water for irrigation.
CREDITS ATTAINABLE 1
PREREQUISITES None.
CREDIT REQUIREMENT 1 credit for the use of an irrigation system which does not require the use
of municipal fresh water after a period of establishment is complete.
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.
ASSESSMENT 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.
BACKGROUND 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
fertiliser and pesticides, thereby reducing impacts on local waters.
There is the potential to use well water, but due consideration must be
given to the requirements of the Water Authority. Normally, wells may not
be sunk on government land [1]. Permission under Building
(Construction) Regulation 85 [2] to sink a well in private land will be given
only where the:
 well yield is adequate; and
 water abstraction will not adversely affect nearby services
buildings, structures or land.
1 Buildings Department. Practice Note for Authorized Persons, Registered Structural Engineers and Registered
Geotechnical Engineer. PNAP No. APP-4 Water Supply and Wells.
2 Department of Justice, CAP 123B Building (Construction) Regulations
E38A/$FILE/CAP_123B_e_b5.pdf