The following are a selection of water efficient building guidelines for use during the design stage of a construction project:
- Prepare a water saving action plan for your project that includes actions during construction, appliances and plumbing to be installed, reuse potential, landscaping and rainwater utilisation.
- Ensure that water conservation and the protection of water quality is included in all tender and contractual documentation.
- Consider the feasibility of greywater use - water from sinks, showers or clothes washers (greywater) can be recycled to flush toilets or irrigate plants. Be aware that it is important to properly maintain these systems, as poor maintenance can lead to poor quality water which can be hazardous to human health and the environment.
- Design the roof elements to collect rainwater for storage and re-use in tanks, ponds, or underground tanks.
- Harvest rainwater from car parks by avoiding the use of curbing and directing runoff into recharge zones.
- Design ground surfaces and paved areas to slope away from buildings and structures in such a way that water runoff can either be collected or return to landscaped areas.
- Consider using permeable paving, consisting of porous above-ground materials (e.g., open pavers, engineered products), a base layer designed to drain water away from the building, and (often) a 6-inch-deep (150 millimeters) subbase.