ASHRAE Looks to Develop Water Conservation Standard

Requirements regarding the amount of water used to operate HVAC, plumbing and irrigation systems would be established under a proposed standard from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

“Water is the most important renewable resource on this planet,” said Terry Townsend, P.E., ASHRAE president. “To protect this source of life, we must reduce the demand and consumption that the built environment is placing on available water sources. It is our intention to develop a standard that can be used globally to conserve this valuable resource.”

The proposed standard, Conservation of Water Use in Building, Site and Mechanical Systems, would provide baseline requirements for the design of buildings, landscapes and mechanical systems that minimize the volume of water required to operate HVAC systems, plumbing systems and irrigation systems.

The standard would address water use efficiency through water conservation measures implemented during design and construction of residential, commercial, institutional and industrial projects. It would not apply to storm water management.

The proposed title, purpose and scope of the standard are open for public comment until Nov. 20. Also, members are being sought to serve on a committee to write the standard.

To join the committee or comment on the draft title, purpose and scope, visit the standards actions for Oct. 6 at www.ashrae.org/publicreviews .

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