Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

the collection and use of rainwater for irrigation, and the potential use of reclaimedwater for irrigation, toilet-flushing, vehicle-washing, and cooling-tower make-up.Austin’s Water and Wastewater Utility provide additional assistance in water-quality,health, and regulatory issues, particularly as these relate to the use of reclaimed water.➤Austin’s Sustainable Building Guidelines are a valuable source of information ong r a y w ater and blackwater systems, as well as harvested rainwater collection. The guidelinesinclude ordinances and regulations affecting use, a licensing and approvalprocess, design considerations, and information on local experts and sources of systemscomponents for storage and irrigation.➤Jordan Commons, a Habitat for Humanity housing development under constructionin south Metro Dade County, Florida, is a model ecological community. Water conservationis one hallmark of its builders’ efforts: all 187 homes will be fitted with waterefficientfixtures and 40 homes will feature graywater systems that use treatedwastewater to recharge the aquifer and promote subsurface irrigation.L O CAL OPTIONS.■ Conduct an analysis of the non-point-source pollution impact of local water runofffrom the built environment.■ Develop local guidelines to reduce non-point-source pollution and disruption to naturalwater cycles in the urban environment by reducing non-permeable surfaces andconstructing vegetated drainage channels.■ Develop guidelines that require the collection of water runoff that may pollute localwater resources during the construction or rehabilitation of buildings.■ Establish municipal landscape guidelines that promote local plants, which have lowmaintenance and water requirements.■ Design harvested-rainwater collection systems to supply irrigation water to local parksand recreation areas.■ Establish a water-fixture replacement program to upgrade equipment in existingmunicipal facilities, commercial buildings, and homes.■ Promote water conservation efforts and reduce water end-use in the design of newmunicipal facilities through water-conserving fixtures and graywater or harvestedwatersystems. Review local ordinances and modify them to allow the collection anduse of harvested water, graywater, and reclaimed wastewater.■ Educate municipal, commercial, and residential building occupants about waterc o nservation, pollution prevention, and construction-related practices—as well as pertinentlocal, state, and federal regulations—to ensure that water quality is maintained.Materials and EquipmentI M P L E M E N TATION ISSUES.Local governments that integrate sound soil maintenance and landscaping practices andefficient irrigation systems can reduce their use of natural resources, such as water, andmaintenance supplies, such as pesticides or fertilizers. In doing so, they not only cutcosts, but also benefit the environment—especially by restoring native plants andwildlife habitat.Green building projects (and green buildings themselves) also offer local governmentsopportunities to educate their communities. By limiting permeable surfaces; using recycled-contentoutdoor equipment, such as trash cans or benches; and installing renewable-