Net Zero buildings are a new initiative in sustainability that demonstrate what is possible in reducing the water, energy, and waste footprints. New building construction has three main “net zero” categories for balancing consumption and production:
- Net zero water buildings, which manage water consumption and discharge such that the pre-development hydrology is achieved in terms of watershed withdrawal and replenishment. This typically requires that no outside water sources from municipalities or wells be used.
- Net zero energy buildings, which produce enough renewable energy on-site to power on-site consumption or more.
- Net zero waste buildings, which reduce and recycle potential waste efficiently enough to dispose of zero solid waste in landfills.
Net zero buildings are increasingly in demand through programs such as Living Building Challenge (LBC), and there are numerous strategies your organization can use to have net zero water buildings as its facilities. Take a closer look at net zero water buildings and how to implement effective net zero water recycling programs.
What Is a Net Zero Water Building?
Net zero water buildings are water-neutral—the amount of water they collect and treat from onsite sources is the same as the amount of water the facility consumes. The water sources may be from:
- Rooftop rainwater for potable and non-potable use.
- Stormwater (precipitation from any surface).
- Greywater for non-potable use.
- Blackwater for non-potable use.
- Nuisance groundwater for non-potable use.
Any captured water is sufficiently treated and returned to the environment with discharge to municipal wastewater treatment only in emergency cases. In effect, these buildings have a net-zero impact on the local hydrology.
Benefits of net zero water buildings for commercial properties include:
- Reduced water consumption overall, which allows operations to be more efficient.
- Reduced water discharge (both wastewater and stormwater).
- Less impact on the local water table, which can be jeopardized by large industrial, residential, or commercial consumption.
- Meet local codes for onsite water use and reduction in consumption and discharge.
- Achieve excellent brand reputation for developing and using more sustainable processes through certification in programs such as LEED and LBC.
- Qualify for access to grants or tax credits depending on your facility’s location.
- Smaller water bills due to on-site water collection.
Understanding Net Zero Water Buildings
Developers of net zero water buildings aim to offset the property’s annual water use and discharge by relying more on alternative onsite sources and returning as much water as possible to the source. These building principles are particularly valuable in areas that:
- See long periods of drought or have shrinking water tables due to excessive consumption or changing weather patterns.
- Have pollution issues with stormwater runoff to local waterways.
- Have overloaded wastewater treatment plants that are contaminating waterways.
Net zero water buildings use three main types of strategies to equalize their water consumption and conservation:
- Less consumption: One of the most direct strategies is reducing water consumption. This can include low-flow devices, smart irrigation systems and landscape plant material selection, right-sized water heating systems, and leak detection and repair.
- All water supply from onsite sources (see above) including rainwater, stormwater, greywater, blackwater, and foundation water. No municipal or well water is used.
- Treatment of discharged water through passive and active means to a level that can be safely absorbed into the environment without sending it to an outside wastewater treatment facility.
Combining all three approaches is key to achieving net-zero status, and every building will employ different tactics based on its region, local regulations, and water supply and demand.
Water Efficiency Strategies for Net Zero Buildings
Constructing a net zero water building means installing the green infrastructure for net zero goals. However, after net zero systems implementation, there needs to be ongoing attention and commitment to maintain the concept. Building managers and companies can cultivate water efficiency strategies such as:
- Building in and adjusting systems as future water demand changes.
- Monitoring system performance and water quality.
- Communicating successes and challenges so that other buildings will adopt similar strategies.
At Ecovie, we help architects, engineers, and developers design net-zero water buildings and implement strategies for reducing water consumption and the strain on local water resources. Contact us today to learn more or to break ground on your new water initiatives.
Image source: Water Shine via Shutterstock