Water Efficiency
Water efficiency in buildings requires a set of strategies for reducing water consumption.
Water-saving appliances and fixtures are an inexpensive (often cost-neutral) way to achieve greater efficiency. Rainwater or graywater reuse and even blackwater treatment are ways to push the envelope.
Water Efficiency
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Net-Zero Water and More: Moving Beyond “Low Flow”
Feature Article
These emerging water strategies are finding momentum and filling the need to address efficiency and resilience on multiple scales.
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Innovative Products and Technology from the Greenbuild Expo
Feature Article
Our product editors pick some winners from the expo floor at Greenbuild 2013 while raising questions about some materials.
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Waste Water, Want Water
Feature Article
Options for small-scale, onsite wastewater treatment and reuse are improving-but can we solve a global crisis one building at a time?
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Commercial Kitchens: Cooking Up Green Opportunities
Feature Article
Commercial kitchens run energy- and water-intensive equipment for long hours, sometimes even when not in use. While the challenges of saving water and energy in commercial kitchens are daunting, they're not insurmountable. Careful equipment selection and a commitment to conscientious kitchen practices can dramatically cut down on waste-and utility bills.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Invasive Plants
Primer
In the quest for a balanced ecosystem it is important to choose native species and avoid invasive plants. Invasive species can put a strain on water usage and can take space and resources away from native plants.
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Power Flushing With Pressure-Assist Toilets
Primer
Many of today's best-performing low-flow toilets enhance their flush with air pressure to force water into the bowl at high speed.
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Combined Sewer Overflow
Primer
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) occur in municipalities with older wastewater systems that carry both sanitary wastewater and stormwater; eliminating CSOs involves investment in wastewater infrastructure and reducing stormwater flows.
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Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater
Primer
Constructed wetlands, when used to treat wastewater, can keep nitrogen and phosphorous from the water supply and cut costs by controlling the size of drainfields.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Toilets
Product Guide
These residential and commercial models meet WaterSense criteria for efficiency and performance.
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Urinals
Product Guide
Waterless urinals and high-efficiency fixtures that use 0.25 gallons per flush or less
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Water Savings and More Using Vacuum Toilets
Product Review
Jets vacuum toilet systems use significantly less water than standard systems, reduce wastewater, provide design flexibility, and can be used in combination with graywater and composting systems.
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Modular, Onsite Graywater System
Product Review
Grayworks is a modular, plug-and-play commercial graywater treatment system that simplifies installation and maintenance.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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Will Aggressive Performance Goals Fit Under Google’s Glass Tent?
News Analysis
The design of Google’s green headquarters hinges on new technologies, like a “glass fabric” enclosure.
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Huge Carbon Savings from Transit Could Dwarf Building Efficiency
News Analysis
LEED-EBOM project data confirm that how people get to the office has a greater impact than other green building efforts.
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Ibuprofen Side Effects May Include Stunted Produce, Infertile Otters
News Brief
From our bodies into wastewater, and back into our water supplies, pharmaceuticals are disrupting biological processes in plants and animals.
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Water Scarcity Means Higher ROI for Water Retrofits
News Brief
Market pricing doesn't predict when water will become scarce. A new tool calculates realistic payback scenarios for efficiency projects based on local conditions.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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