courtesy  : smart bricks

water efficiency

What Is Water Efficiency?

We mentioned before, water is necessary for the sustenance of human life. Owing to the fact that this natural resource is rapidly exhausting, conservation is crucial. Now you may ask, is Water Conservation and Water Efficiency same? Well, although both the terms are often used synonymously, they differ in their actual meaning. Let’s understand them:

• Water Conservation – It implies curtailment of water usage and includes day-to-day demand management for better water usage.
• Water Efficiency – In simple terms, it means responsible use of fresh water and reducing the overall usage of water and minimizing wastewater. It also points toward using improved practices and technologies which deliver equal or better life service with reduced water consumption.

Water efficiency is a significant chunk of green buildings whose strategies and technologies lessen the amount of potable water consumed in buildings.

Water Efficiency In Green Buildings

As access to fresh water continues to be a source of worry in many areas of the world (including India), water efficiency strategies in green building practices have become paramount to both new and existing construction efforts.

Green building mentions a building structure that is designed to be environmental-friendly and makes nominal and efficient use of natural resources. Such buildings are resource-efficient and eco-friendly during its entire lifespan starting from its construction to demolition. A Green building design largely emphasises on making effectual use of natural resources like water, energy, etc. while reducing several bad effects on the environment and the occupant’s health during its use. The 5 main gears of green buildings are:

1. Site And Design Efficiency
2. Reduced Energy Usage
3. Reduced Water Consumption
4. Environmentally Safe Construction Materials
5. Better Air Quality

Considering water efficiency in Green Buildings, today several technologies are being used rainwater harvesting, recycling and reuse of grey water, low-flow fixtures, sensors etc. Water efficiency measures in residential and commercial buildings can greatly reduce water waste, yielding lower sewage volumes, reduced energy use, and bring in financial benefits too.

Green Building Rating Systems for Water Efficiency

Several rating systems for Green Building have been developed by various countries across the globe to rate the green buildings based on its degree of the environmental goals which have been achieved by them. In India, the main certifying agencies who consider water efficiency are:

• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA)

GRIHA is our country’s own rating system which was jointly developed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and TERI. This rating system consists of 34 different categories under 4 main sections i.e. Site selection and site planning, Conservation and efficient utilization of resources, Building operation and maintenance, and Innovation.

• Indian Green Building Council (IGBC)

IGBC is the non-profit research institution formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). IGBC facilitates India’s green structures to become one of the green rated buildings.

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED, INDIA)

LEED, India Green Building Rating System is a standard point of reference both in India as well as worldwide for the design, construction and further, operation of high-performance green buildings. This is one of the main councils that provides green ratings to a building structure, whether an apartment, independent home or commercial property.

All the certifying agencies take into consideration how a Green Building performs on the scale for water efficiency and conservation.