Graduation Year

2010

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

M.S.E.V.

Degree Granting Department

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Major Professor

Daniel Yeh, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Abdul Pinjari, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D.

Keywords

dynamic systems modeling, STELLA, water budget, LEED, recycling and reuse

Abstract

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED™) green building scoring system. On first inspection of LEED points, few address water efficiency. However, water management encompasses other points beyond the Water Efficiency (WE) category. In general, the industry is apt to take a somewhat compartmentalized approach to water management. The use of alternative water sources or the reuse of wastewater significantly complicates the water budget picture. A total water management systems approach, taking into consideration water from various sources, both inside and outside the building, should be implemented in order to devise a strategy for optimal reduction of potable water consumption and wastewater generation. Using the STELLA software to create an integrated building water management (IBWM) model provides stakeholders with a tool to evaluate potential water savings under dynamic conditions for a specific project site. Data collection for IBWM model calibration also shows that water consumption trends are unique to each project, and using LEED assumptions about water usage can overestimate or underestimate potential water savings.

Share

COinS