Understanding the Selection and Use of Water Related Innovations in Green Buildings

This manuscript provides an understanding of water conservation related innovations in green buildings, both in terms of what is being selected in design phase and how professionals perceive their experiences with these innovations. The innovations examined include toilets, showers, sinks, plumbing, water heating, appliances, alternative water sources, landscaping, performance monitoring, and user education. It contains a literature review of unanticipated consequences associated with these innovations, and creates a framework for categorizing these based on a synthesis of the literature of unanticipated consequences. A review of certification documents from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system identifies what landscaping, toilet, and shower innovations are most commonly designed for in LEED certified buildings. These data are also used to identify differences in innovation selection across climate regimes. An internet survey of green building professionals provides a picture of satisfaction with these innovations in practice. It also gives examples of these experiences so that future users can take advantage or take caution as necessary.