Climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure are intensifying water stress worldwide, requiring projects to rethink how water is sourced, used, and managed. In LEED v5, the Water Efficiency (WE) category shifts from prescriptive conservation toward a performance- and stewardship-based framework that treats water as a climate system—deeply connected to energy use, carbon emissions, ecosystems, and risk.
This course explores how LEED v5 advances water efficiency through metering, leak detection, performance benchmarking, and whole-project water use strategies across Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Interior Design and Construction (ID+C), and Operations and Maintenance (O+M). Participants examine how water efficiency reduces emissions associated with water treatment, distribution, and heating, while also easing pressure on ecosystems and improving resilience at the building and community scale.
Special attention is given to LEED v5’s emphasis on measurement, monitoring, and continuous improvement—particularly in O+M projects—where understanding actual water use becomes the foundation for long-term performance. By connecting efficiency, stewardship, and resilience, this course equips professionals to make informed water decisions that support decarbonization, protect critical resources, and prepare projects for a more water-constrained future.
