You are here: 9.0 Water > Wat 04 Water efficient equipment

Wat 04 Water efficient equipment

(all buildings)

Number of credits available	Minimum standards
1	No

Aim

To reduce water consumption by encouraging specification of water efficient equipment.

Assessment criteria

The following is required to demonstrate compliance:

One credit

The design team has identified all water demands from uses other than domestic-scale drinking and sanitary use components, e.g. swimming pools, vehicle wash and irrigation equipment (see Relevant definitions).

Systems or processes have been identified to reduce the water demand, and demonstrate, through either good practice design or specification, a meaningful reduction in the total water demand of the building.

Checklists and tables

None.

Compliance notes

Ref	Terms	Description
Shell and core (non-residential and residential institutions only)
CN1	Applicable assessment criteria	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix D – Shell and core project assessments for a more detailed description of the shell and core assessment options.
Residential - Partially fitted and fully fitted
CN2	Applicable assessment criteria - Single and multiple dwellings	Both options: All criteria relevant to the building type and function apply. Refer to Appendix E – Applicability of BREEAM New Construction to single and multiple dwellings, partially and fully fitted for a more detailed description of residential assessment options.
General
CN3	No water demand from uses other than domestic-scale drinking and sanitary use components	Where there is no water demand from uses other than domestic-scale drinking and sanitary use components in the building this issue is not applicable and does not require assessment.
CN3.1	Reducing water consumption. See criterion 2	BREEAM does not prescriptively define all potential means or solutions for reducing water consumption. The design team needs to demonstrate to the assessor that they have identified key areas of water consumption in the building and that a reduction in water consumption has been achieved using existing 'tried and tested' solutions or new innovative solutions relevant to the building and its functional requirements. The following are some examples of solutions deemed to satisfy compliance for a number of different building types or functions (where the water demand for that function is one of the significant contributors in the building). Drip-fed subsurface irrigation incorporating soil moisture sensors. The irrigation control should be zoned to permit variable irrigation to different planting assemblages. Reclaimed or recovered water from a rainwater collection or waste water recovery system with appropriate storage, i.e. greywater collection from building functions or processes that use potable water, e.g. vehicle wash, sanitary facilities, irrigation etc. External landscaping and planting that relies solely on precipitation, during all seasons of the year. All planting specified is restricted to contextually appropriate species that thrive without irrigation and will continue to do so in those conditions likely as a result of climate change, i.e. typically warmer and drier conditions.
CN3.2	Microbial contamination	Where vehicle wash systems are specified, the design team are to clarify that the installed systems are designed to minimise any legionella risk (refer to BREEAM issue Hea 09 Water quality).
Building specific
CN4	Single dwellings - Rainwater harvesting	In single dwellings with a garden, the provision of a water butt is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with the criteria. No requirements are set on the type of water butt or storage capacity required. The assessor should be satisfied that, within reason, the installation is adequate for the size of development and climatic conditions of the region.

Methodology

None.

Evidence

Criteria	Interim design stage	Final post-construction stage
All	Documentation detailing all water demands from uses other than domestic-scale drinking and sanitary use components. The relevant sections or clauses of the building specification or contract OR Design drawings (where necessary). Manufacturer's product details.	BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence. Manufacturer's product details.

Criteria

Interim design stage

Final post-construction stage

All

Documentation detailing all water demands from uses other than domestic-scale drinking and sanitary use components.

The relevant sections or clauses of the building specification or contract

Design drawings (where necessary).

Manufacturer's product details.

BREEAM Assessor’s site inspection report and photographic evidence.

Manufacturer's product details.

Additional information

Relevant definitions

Water demand: For the purposes of this BREEAM issue, water demand includes, but is not limited to; swimming pools, recreational hot tubs and hydrotherapy pools, equipment used for irrigation, and vehicle wash equipment. Water demand from domestic-scale sanitary fittings is not assessed in this issue, but is assessed under issue Wat 01 Water consumption.
Vehicle wash: A commercial scale automatic, semi-automatic or manual system for washing vehicles. This includes wheel and chassis wash, fixed gantry and screen wash systems using brushes, spray or handheld jet hoses.

Other information

None.