LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Practice Exam

What two methods can be employed to capture rainwater and reduce runoff?

1. Wind and Solar Energy

2. LID and green infrastructure

3. High-density materials and asphalt

4. Turf and concrete surfaces

The correct answer is: LID and green infrastructure

The correct choice focuses on Low Impact Development (LID) and green infrastructure as effective methods for capturing rainwater and reducing runoff. LID encompasses a range of strategies that manage stormwater at its source, mimicking natural processes to enhance the infiltration and filtration of rainwater. Techniques within LID include rain gardens, permeable pavements, green roofs, and bioretention areas, all of which help reduce runoff by allowing rainwater to soak into the ground rather than flow into drainage systems. Green infrastructure also plays a significant role in stormwater management. It involves using vegetation, soils, and natural processes to manage water. Examples include creating urban tree canopies, installing green walls, and establishing constructed wetlands. These practices contribute to reducing impervious surfaces, enhancing stormwater capture, and improving water quality. In contrast, the other choices do not effectively address the question of capturing rainwater and reducing runoff. Wind and solar energy focus on renewable energy production rather than stormwater management. High-density materials and asphalt tend to increase impervious surfaces, contributing to greater runoff, while turf and concrete surfaces do not inherently provide mechanisms for effective rainwater capture.