Water Efficiency
For years, the U.S. has taken water for granted. Low prices and a lack of regulation have led to massive waste, poor infrastructure, and the illusion that we have an endless supply.
But that mindset is changing. We’ve seen drought in the Southwest U.S., water rationing in California, dwindling aquifers, and contaminated water supplies. These problems are not going to be solved by drilling deeper wells.
Water-saving appliances, improved wastewater treatment, and higher performance goals can all mitigate the damage. Here you’ll find resources on products and strategies you need to achieve these goals.
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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Water Policies: Encouraging Conservation
Feature Article
Conserving water goes beyond building design and technology. Water use is governed by federal, state, and local policies, from maximum flow requirements to pricing structures that encourage or discourage conservation.
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Alternative Water Sources: Supply-Side Solutions for Green Buildings
Feature Article
Water efficiency should be a top priority for our buildings. At the same time, finding alternative sources of water is also important for sustainability and passive survivability. Several sources of water can be harvested at the building level as well as through municipal-scale wastewater treatment and desalination.
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Water: Doing More With Less
Feature Article
The U.S. uses about 400 billion gallons of water a day, and water shortages are becoming more common. Water-saving products and technologies, some currently on the market and others in development, can reduce that wasteful flow to a trickle.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Graywater Collection and Use
Primer
If properly stored and separated from potable water, graywater collected from sinks, showers, and clothes washers can be used to irrigate landscaping.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Commercial Composters Put New, Odorless Spin on an Old-Fashioned Practice
Product Review
In-vessel composters can reduce trash bills, food waste, and greenhouse gas emissions in schools, hotels, and office buildings.
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Smarter Irrigation for a Parched Landscape
Product Review
WaterSense-labeled irrigation controllers use sophisticated algorithms and climate data to provide just the right amount of water to plants.
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Rainwater Harvesting: Standout Products in a Rising Market
Product Review
As resilience becomes a greater focus, the market for rainwater harvesting systems and components is growing. The companies described here provide a good starting point.
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An Efficient Retrofit for Commercial Hot Water on Demand
Product Review
D'Mand Circ for commercial buildings recirculates hot water only when it's needed, saving fuel and electricity-and even the pipes.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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EBies for 2014 Shine (Efficient) Spotlight on Existing Buildings
News Analysis
Urban Green Council rolls out the green carpet and rewards exceptional achievements in energy, water, lighting, and more.
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Emerging Technologies Address the Water-Energy Nexus
News Brief
DOE is highlighting technologies that simultaneously save water and energy, including supercritical carbon dioxide recompression for power plants.
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Companies Slow to Act as Water Issues Erode Profits
News Brief
A survey found 60% of U.S. companies expect water issues such as extreme weather to hurt their business, but few plan to invest more in risk management.
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EPA Challenges Hotels to Reduce Water Use
News Brief
A collection of resources, from webinars to tracking tools, is promised to hotels that take on the H2Otel challenge to cut water consumption.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Learning Resources
A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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