855773644-LEED-v5-BD-C-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition - Page 143
Extracted Content
Reduced water use for irrigation To mitigate the impacts of drought, projects must comply with WEc2: Enhanced Water Efficiency requirements to reduce outdoor water use.
Drought-tolerant plant species Projects must incorporate native and/or drought-tolerant plant species that adapt to the site’s conditions and local climate to reduce water demand. Native or drought-tolerant plants help conserve water and reduce soil erosion. They require less water, fertilizer, and maintenance, making them a key component of water-efficient design.
Makeup water strategies for water features Projects must minimize or eliminate potable water, natural surface water, and groundwater withdrawals that are used in water features to reduce short and long-term water use. Designs must also comply with water feature makeup water requirements, as outlined in SITES Credit 3.4 Reduce outdoor water use . [64] This means ensuring that the design of water features, including fountains or ponds, minimizes water loss through evaporation or leaks, and efficiently replenishes water, ideally using non-potable sources such as greywater or harvested rainwater.
LEED BD+C: Core and Shell projects must limit makeup water for any newly created water features to 5,000 gallons (18,927 liters) of potable water annually, or at least 75% of the annual makeup water must come from alternative water sources.
Extreme Heat
Improving thermal comfort and reducing extreme heat-related risks in a project is essential for safeguarding public health, enhancing occupant well-being, and ensuring the long-term resilience and sustainability of built environments in the face of rising temperatures. Naturebased solutions are key to achieving these goals, as they leverage natural processes to create cooler, more comfortable spaces while also promoting biodiversity.
Shaded outdoor spaces Shaded outdoor spaces that use shade from appropriate trees, large shrubs, vegetated trellises, walls, or other exterior structures help cool the surrounding environment and offer protection from direct sunlight. Shaded areas adjacent to buildings can significantly reduce evaporation rates in soil and promote habitats for various species, thereby supporting biodiversity and maintaining the balance of local ecosystems. Providing cooler environments helps decrease the
64 Sustainable Sites Initiative, https://www.sustainablesites.org/
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 133