DWT1: Water Conservation Strategy
Maximum Score
5 points
Input Method
Assessment Portal
Prefill
Eligible
Scoring method
Static
Validation
Other answer is manually validated
2026 Updates
None
Does the entity promote water conservation in its development projects?
Assessment Instructions
Intent: What is the purpose of this indicator?
This indicator assesses the entity’s strategy for water conservation during the design and construction of new projects. Incorporating water-efficient measures at these stages helps reduce a building’s long-term operational water use.
Input: How do I complete this indicator?
Select yes or no. If yes, select all applicable sub-options.
Post-construction monitoring: If the entity has a requirement for post-construction performance monitoring, specify the required number of years. If the entity monitors performance for an infinite period, enter “100.”
Terminology
Drip/smart irrigation
Drip irrigation systems save water by irrigating, fertilizing and aerating trees, shrubs, plants and bushes directly at the roots. Smart irrigation systems save water by adjusting the watering schedule and amount of water used for irrigation based on a variety of factors and inputs, including weather, plant species and soil type.
Drought-tolerant/low-water landscaping
Reduction of water use through landscaping characteristics such as areas requiring little to no irrigation.
Dry fixtures
Fixtures that do not require the use of water, such as composting toilet systems and waterless urinals.
Grey water
Wastewater generated from hand basins, showers and other water-using devices and equipment.
High-efficiency fixtures
Appliances and plumbing equipment that conserve water without compromising performance (also known as “ultra-low-flow” fixtures).
Indoor water
Water use that occurs within the constraints of the building interior.
Integrative design
A design process that considers and involves multiple aspects, stakeholders and functions, instead of addressing each separately, to align and achieve objectives. Examples of integrative considerations during different stages of the design process can be found below:
Pre-design: Performing a preliminary analysis before the completion of schematic design that explores the relationships between the project and its surrounding environment to help reveal the optimum choices for the site, the users, and the owner.
Design and construction: Allowing experts from all disciplines to analyze the unique opportunities and constraints of the building site and to collectively explore synergies between disciplines and with neighboring sites.
Occupancy, operations, and performance: Measuring performance and setting up feedback mechanisms that involve various stakeholder groups.
Leak detection system
Systems that detect water leaks. Examples can include, but are not limited to: condensate water overflow, chiller water leaks, plumbing line cracks, heating/cooling piping leaks and outside seepage.
Minimum water-use intensity post-occupancy
Requirement for buildings to achieve a predetermined water use intensity once the building is fully operational.
Net-zero energy
A net-zero energy building relies on energy-efficient design and renewable sources to produce as much energy as it consumes, usually measured over the course of a year.
Non-potable applications
Use of non-potable water in applications such as toilet flushing and cooling tower make up water
Occupant sensors
Motion sensor devices that turn water fixtures on (or off) in response to the presence (or absence) of people.
On-site wastewater treatment
Process of water decontamination as a consequence of any anthropogenic, industrial or commercial use, before the water is released again into the environment or is reused.
Operational water efficiency monitoring
Monitoring of water consumed during the in-use phase of a building’s life. The operational water consumption of buildings leads to substantial environmental impact. Monitoring consumption is an important basis for reducing this impact.
Outdoor water
Water use that occurs outside of the building structure.
Post-construction water monitoring
Monitoring of water consumption during the operational phase of the building, to identify that water conservation objectives are being met.
Process water
Water that is used for building systems and industrial processes, such as cooling towers, boilers, and chillers. It can also include water used for operational processes, such as dishwashing.
Requirements for planning and design
Policy requirements such as planning obligations, building codes and standards.
Stormwater
Water that collects during precipitation, which can be stored on-site for eventual reuse for non-potable applications. Examples of applications for reuse can include, but are not limited to: landscape irrigation and/or flush fixtures.
Sub-meter
A system that allows the measurement of utility use by an individual occupant within a multi-tenant property, such as individual electricity meters.
Water conservation
The standards, strategies and actions to manage and conserve water in a sustainable manner.
Water efficiency measures
Actions undertaken to reduce water consumption and improve efficient use of water as a sustainable resource.
Water supply
Provision of surface water, groundwater, rainwater collected directly or stored by the entity, waste water from another organization, municipal water supplies or other water utilities, usually via a system of pumps and pipes.
Water use analytics
Analysis of water use to determine discrepancies between baseline and actual energy use. Water use analytics help determine whether water use targets are reached, and can highlight opportunities to improve water efficiency and conservation.
Validation: What evidence is required?
No evidence required. Only the 'Other' answer is manually validated.
Other Answer
Other: State the requirement for planning and design.
Other: State the water efficiency measure.
Other: State the operational water efficiency monitoring type.
It is possible to report multiple other answers. It is possible to report multiple other answers. If multiple other answers are acceptable, only one per sub-option will be counted towards scoring.
Scoring
Scoring: How does GRESB score this indicator?
The scoring of this indicator is equal to the sum of the fractions assigned to the selected options and respective sub-options, multiplied by the total score of the indicator.
Other: The 'Other' answer is manually validated and assigned a score which is used as a multiplying factor, as per the table below:
Accepted
1/1
Not Accepted
0
Duplicate
0
References
LEED BD+C: New Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality
BREEAM, International New Construction, 2016: 09 Water
GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards, 2016: 303, Water
LEED BD+C: New Construction, v4, Integrative Process
BC Green Building Roundtable, Roadmap for the Integrated Design Process
Get Support: Solution Providers
GRESB Solution Providers are independent, third-party organizations within the GRESB Partner network that offer specialized products, tools, and services to support sustainability performance outside the GRESB Assessment process.
The organizations below deliver commercially available solutions designed to help drive improvement for this indicator. Engagement is managed directly between the reporting entity and the Solution Provider.
GRESB will continue to update this section as the GRESB Solution Provider network grows. Please check back regularly to find GRESB Solution Providers who can support your sustainability performance.
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