What Is A Net-Zero Water Building?

A net-zero water building is a structure that aims to do 4 different things: minimize total water consumption, maximize alternative water sources, reduce wastewater discharge from the building and return water to the original water source. It is a building where the amount of alternative water used and water returned to the original water source equals the building’s total water consumption. They ensure that no water goes to waste, and every drop gets used as efficiently as possible. This promotes water conservation because extra water doesn’t need to be pulled in from outside sources of the building’s site.

How It Began:

The idea of buildings being self-sustainable in aspects like water, energy, and materials, became popularized by the living building challenge, in 2006. Since then, many companies have taken on the challenge of reducing waste and becoming more eco-friendly. They have begun to treat and return water to its source and reuse water within the building to maintain a low ecological footprint. In more recent times, it is becoming possible to construct homes that also work towards meeting the goals set forth by the Living Building Challenge, as builders and corporations have better access to gaining permission from the government to incorporate these new systems.

Strategies used by Net-Zero Water Structures:

Structures whose goal is to achieve net-zero for water implement a few different systems. One such system is the collection of rainwater on the rooftop of the building. The rainwater is treated on-site and is used in various outlets for potable water. There is also the harvesting of stormwater and greywater, which can also be treated and reused for plumbing such as sinks or showers. Amanda Sturgeon, vice president of the Living Building Challenge explains, “On the supply side, all of your water must be either harvested on-site or sourced from a closed-loop system. For discharge, no water leaves your project site through city pipes – all wastewater is treated and reused or infiltrated within your property.”

The Benefits and Future of Going Net-Zero:

Net-Zero buildings are beneficial in areas where water is more scarce, as the water harvested from its different sources is being reused in different ways. As more buildings turn to net-zero as an option, wastewater will be reduced, as well as the pollution of groundwater. Water will be returned to its source, allowing the environment to continue to prosper, even as the human population increases. Structures incorporating aspects of going net-zero for water not only save money on utility bills and the cost of water treatment but also save more energy and reduce carbon emissions. Going net-zero will ultimately create a more sustainable society that will be able to thrive for generations to come.

Citations:

Federal Energy Management Program. “Net Zero Water Building Strategies.” Energy.gov, https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/net-zero-water-building-strategies.

Federal Energy Management Program. “Scenario 1: The Ideal Net Zero Water Building.” Energy.gov, https://www.energy.gov/eere/femp/scenario-1-ideal-net-zero-water-building.

Marro, Marcy. “Achieving Net Zero Water.” Metal Construction News, 1 Dec. 2020, https://www.metalconstructionnews.com/articles/achieving-net-zero-water.

Moore, Heidi. “How to Achieve Net-Zero Waste and Water in Buildings.” Architect, 15 Nov. 2013, https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/how-to-achieve-net-zero-waste-and-water-in-buildings_o.

Morton, Jennie. “A Path to Net-Zero Water | Buildings.” Buildings.com, 2013, https://www.buildings.com/feature/article/10188833/a-path-to-net-zero-water.