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Extracted Content

WATER EFFICIENCY (WE)

OVERVIEW

In LEED v5, water efficiency performance is the central focus of the water category, highlighting water as a valuable and limited resource. The Water Efficiency (WE) category motivates projects to conserve potable water to safeguard ecosystems, reduce energy use, and boost resilience on site and in their community.

In the O+M rating system, projects focus on conservation through an efficiency-first strategy of identifying, measuring, and reducing water use. This process starts with metering and submetering to gain a clear understanding of the building’s current water performance ( WEp1: Water Metering and Reporting, WEc2: Advanced Water Metering ). The WE category encourages measuring water use intensity and awards projects that have reduced potable water use ( WEc1: Water Efficiency Performance ).

Decarbonization Improving water performance reduces emissions associated with energy use in domestic water distribution, treatment, and heating ( WEc1: Water Efficiency Performance, WEc2: Advanced Water Metering ).

Ecological conservation and restoration The WE category encourages projects to consistently track, reduce, and optimize their water stewardship, lessening the strain on ecosystems and preserving critical resources. Tracking water data enables building operations teams to take action to further conserve valuable resources ( WEc1: Water Efficiency Performance ).

By embracing the performance and monitoring strategies in the WE category, projects protect one of the planet’s most essential resources and contribute to the foundation of a more resilient and sustainable future for all.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 86