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

Which of these is included at the project team's discretion for water reduction calculations?

1. Athletic fields

2. Paved areas

3. Water features

4. Non-irrigated lawns

The correct answer is: Athletic fields

The inclusion of athletic fields in water reduction calculations is based on the specific needs and goals of the project team. In many instances, athletic fields can consume significant amounts of water due to maintenance requirements, particularly for grass fields that are actively used. The project team can decide whether to factor in these areas into their water use calculations, which allows for flexibility in determining the overall water efficiency of the project. Choosing to include athletic fields can help establish a more accurate baseline of water usage and allow for targeted strategies to reduce water consumption, such as selecting drought-resistant grass, implementing efficient irrigation systems, or utilizing rainwater harvesting. This discretion enables project teams to tailor their water management strategies to align with unique site characteristics while still working towards overall sustainability goals. In contrast, other areas such as paved areas, water features, and non-irrigated lawns generally have more standardized approaches to water calculations, often relying on established best practices or norms that do not allow for the same level of project-specific discretion. Thus, the ability to include athletic fields represents the project team's autonomy in pursuing innovative water-saving measures.