A new green building report, sponsored by the Mechanical Contractors Education and Research Foundation, the research arm of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), profiles a water conservation, a “growing trend in the green building movement,” says report author Jerry Yudelson.
“This trend is highlighted by the new requirements of the LEED rating system that require 20 per cent water savings for every project, compared with conventional buildings,” says Yudelson.
In this report, Yudelson outlines major opportunities in water metering, fixture replacements, cooling tower water reduction, rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse in buildings. “With major droughts affecting Florida, Georgia, Texas and California the past few years, it’s time to recalibrate our thinking about the importance of water in the built environment,” he said.
The report profiles new technologies for new buildings and retrofit projects, presenting a solid business case for water conservation, and outlining the close relationship of water use and energy use.
“It takes nearly half of United States water withdrawals to provide cooling for thermal power plants and it takes as much as five percent of our energy production just to move water, treat it, pump it to points of use and treat the resulting wastewater. We can’t solve energy problems without dealing with inefficient water use, and we shouldn’t try,” says Yudelson.
The report also points out how contractors, manufacturers, investors, technology developers, building owners and real estate developers can generate business opportunities from water shortages.
The 64-page report is available from the MCAA website.
