scholarly journals Water Performance Benchmarks for New Zealand: Understanding Water Consumption in Commercial Office Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lee Ellen Bint
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Performance Benchmarks ◽  
Tariff Structures

<p>There is an increasing amount of literature outlining the issues underlying water shortages and restrictions to come in most regions of New Zealand. The problem is not helped by rising demands and climatic changes, as well as both a lack of measured data, and a lack of any demand-side incentives. No attempt has been made to assess how the users of commercial buildings are consuming potable water. There are no benchmarks for water performance in buildings, hindering attempts to improve water efficiency.  This study investigated the water use in 93 Auckland and Wellington commercial office buildings. The data collected from both survey level water audits (on-site investigations, historic billing analysis) and full water audits (water monitoring), were used to develop market-based water performance benchmarks, and a Water Efficiency Rating Tool (WERT). This was done to understand water consumption in these buildings, and to determine the feasibility of using performance based data for the development of a water benchmarking system.  The principal results were in the form of both a benchmarking index system, and the WERT. The benchmarking study found that Net Lettable Area (NLA) was the most statistically and pragmatically appropriate driver for water use. lt also found that, due to the distinct difference in tariff structures and incentives between Auckland and Wellington, different benchmarks for the two regions (Auckland 'Typical' use 0.76m³ / m² / year, and Wellington 'Typical' use 1.03m³ / m² / year) were required.  The WERT calculates a building Water Use Index (WUI- m³ / m² / year) , estimates its end-use disaggregation, and provides recommendations through outlining the financial viability of implementing specific water efficiency measures. This tool utilised six design criteria to ensure target market usability: accuracy (demonstrated at ±8. 5%) ; relevance and realism; practicality; promotion of understanding and action; objectivity; and effective communication.  Further recommendations included satisfying some of the many knowledge gaps present in the New Zealand water industry concerning office building water use. These included: introducing a national legislative or standard document providing guidelines on demand-side management of water; investigation into changing tariff structures to include a volumetric charge for all building types to increase individual awareness and education of water use; research into the durability of water meters; and expanding the research to include other New Zealand regions.</p>

scholarly journals Water Performance Benchmarks for New Zealand: Understanding Water Consumption in Commercial Office Buildings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lee Ellen Bint
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Performance Benchmarks ◽  
Tariff Structures

<p>There is an increasing amount of literature outlining the issues underlying water shortages and restrictions to come in most regions of New Zealand. The problem is not helped by rising demands and climatic changes, as well as both a lack of measured data, and a lack of any demand-side incentives. No attempt has been made to assess how the users of commercial buildings are consuming potable water. There are no benchmarks for water performance in buildings, hindering attempts to improve water efficiency.  This study investigated the water use in 93 Auckland and Wellington commercial office buildings. The data collected from both survey level water audits (on-site investigations, historic billing analysis) and full water audits (water monitoring), were used to develop market-based water performance benchmarks, and a Water Efficiency Rating Tool (WERT). This was done to understand water consumption in these buildings, and to determine the feasibility of using performance based data for the development of a water benchmarking system.  The principal results were in the form of both a benchmarking index system, and the WERT. The benchmarking study found that Net Lettable Area (NLA) was the most statistically and pragmatically appropriate driver for water use. lt also found that, due to the distinct difference in tariff structures and incentives between Auckland and Wellington, different benchmarks for the two regions (Auckland 'Typical' use 0.76m³ / m² / year, and Wellington 'Typical' use 1.03m³ / m² / year) were required.  The WERT calculates a building Water Use Index (WUI- m³ / m² / year) , estimates its end-use disaggregation, and provides recommendations through outlining the financial viability of implementing specific water efficiency measures. This tool utilised six design criteria to ensure target market usability: accuracy (demonstrated at ±8. 5%) ; relevance and realism; practicality; promotion of understanding and action; objectivity; and effective communication.  Further recommendations included satisfying some of the many knowledge gaps present in the New Zealand water industry concerning office building water use. These included: introducing a national legislative or standard document providing guidelines on demand-side management of water; investigation into changing tariff structures to include a volumetric charge for all building types to increase individual awareness and education of water use; research into the durability of water meters; and expanding the research to include other New Zealand regions.</p>

Water efficiency in Malaysian commercial buildings: a green initiative and cost–benefit approach

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhana Mohd Zaini ◽  
Qi Jie Kwong ◽  
Lynne Barbara Jack
Keyword(s):  
Detailed Analysis ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Commercial Buildings ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Potential Cost ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe demand for potable water increases with population growth, given its role in sustaining life. As part of a wider approach to ensuring sustainable provision, this has prompted a number of carefully formulated water efficiency improvement plans for buildings, one of the highest water-consuming sectors. This paper presents a detailed analysis of water efficiency potential for a multi-storey commercial complex and an office building in central Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a detailed analysis of the water use and efficiency of the water fittings was carried out. Important data such as historical water use and details of water fittings were acquired during a field survey. A series of water flow rate tests were conducted at the selected buildings and each of the water systems was analysed separately, using the criteria of water efficiency stipulated by a locally applied green building tool. A comparison of water consumption before and after the improvement plan was then made.FindingsFindings from the field surveys indicate that only some of the water fittings were certified with recognised efficiency ratings, which suggests a good opportunity for improvement. The proposed replacement of more-efficient fittings could potentially improve the obtainable green credit points by at least 10 from a maximum of 15. A cost–benefit analysis for a water fitting replacement scheme shows that the estimated payback period is less lengthy for the larger commercial building due to the higher potential savings.Practical implicationsStrategies for improvements in water efficiency for existing non-residential buildings are provided in this paper. The same water consumption analysis procedure can be used by maintenance engineers and other practitioners in building assessments where water efficiency and sustainability in building operation are of concern.Originality/valueThis case study responds to the need for efficient use of freshwater and provides insight into the water efficiency opportunities for commercial buildings. The potential cost savings for replacements of inefficient water fittings have been analysed using a green building tool as a guide. This has not been extensively analysed in previous studies.

scholarly journals Water-Use Efficiency of Crops in the Arid Area of the Middle Reaches of the Heihe River: Taking Zhangye City as an Example

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xingyuan Xiao ◽  
Limeng Fan ◽  
Xiubin Li ◽  
Minghong Tan ◽  
Tao Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Heihe River ◽  
Water Efficiency ◽  
Agricultural Water ◽  
Seed Corn ◽  
Field Corn ◽  
Use Efficiency

The middle reaches of the Heihe River are an important food base in the arid regions of Northwest China. The agricultural water consumption in this region accounts for about 90% of the total water consumption. The shortage of water resources is the primary reason for restricting agricultural development. Therefore, studying the efficiency of agricultural water use is essential to improving the effective use of water resources. Under the premise of considering agricultural water saving, we improved the water efficiency model from the perspective of pure agricultural income that farmers are more concerned about. In this study, we took Zhangye City in the middle reaches of the Heihe River as an example, based on meteorological crop data and farmer survey data. Then, we used the input–output method to quantitatively analyze the net income of the crops in Zhangye City. We used the CROPWAT model to calculate the water demand of crops during the growing season. Lastly, we used the improved water-use efficiency (WUE) model to analyze WUE differences of crops in the study area. We reached the following conclusions: (1) among the six crops in the study area, the net profit of seed corn was 20,520 yuan/ha, followed by field corn, 11,700 yuan/ha, then followed by potato, rapeseed, wheat, and barley; (2) the maximum water requirement for the crop growth period was 597.2 mm for field corn, followed by 577.3 mm for seed corn, then followed by rapeseed, wheat, barley, and potato; (3) among the six crops, the WUE calculated using the water efficiency model before and after improvement had obvious differences. The WUE calculated using the original model reached 9.03 yuan/m3 for potato, followed by 6.33 yuan/m3 for seed corn. The WUE calculated using the improved model reached 3.44 yuan/m3 for seed corn, which is the maximum, followed by potato with 2.25 yuan/m3. Considering the agricultural water saving and crop yields, we propose to properly expand the cultivation of seed corn and potato in the middle reaches of the Heihe River. This would be more conducive to achieving a “win-win” situation for water conservation and revenue.

scholarly journals Defining domestic water consumption based on personal water use activities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Lauren Crouch ◽  
Heinz Erasmus Jacobs ◽  
Vanessa L. Speight
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Expected Value ◽  
Domestic Water ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Policy Choices ◽  
Everyday Activities ◽  
The World

Abstract As the world increasingly faces water shortages, it is critical to develop realistic estimates of water consumption based on water-use activities rather than top-down imposed limits. This study quantifies the absolute basic consumption (ABC) of an individual, irrespective of water-use location or water source, with a focus on personal water-use activities rather than measured household consumption. A theoretical model to stochastically describe 21 personal water-use activities was developed, corresponding to lifestyle levels based upon Maslow's hierarchy of physiological needs. From this model, the expected value of ABC was 92 L/capita/day (LPCD) and includes restrictions on several everyday activities and thus would be better as a minimum target during stringent water restrictions. A more realistic expected value for non-wasteful, indoor-only water use was determined to be 175 LPCD. The results of this study serve as a useful benchmark to inform policy choices and efforts to conserve water without affecting health and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Evaluation of water-saving rice status based on morphophysiological characteristics and water use efficiency

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Didi Darmadi ◽  
AHMAD JUNAEDI ◽  
DIDY SOPANDIE ◽  
SUPIJATNO ◽  
ISKANDAR LUBIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Upland Rice ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Water Saving ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Physiological Characteristics ◽  
Water Shortages ◽  
Use Efficiency

Abstract. Darmadi D, Junaedi A, Sopandie D, Supijatno, Lubis I, Homma K, Hidayati N. 2019. Evaluation of water-saving rice status based on morphophysiological characteristics and water use efficiency. Biodiversitas 20: 2815-2823. One strategy to anticipate water shortages in rice production is to use varieties that are efficient in using water and produce high yields. The aim of this study was to measure water consumption, water use efficiency and production performance of several types of rice. The research was conducted during the rainy season from January to April 2018 and the dry season from August to November 2018 in a greenhouse. This study used a completely randomized design. The genetic materials used were 8 varieties consisting of lowland rice (sawah), upland rice (gogo), and land race. The variables analyzed included morphological and physiological characteristics. The results showed that differences in rice types indicated diverse responses to morphological and physiological characteristics on water consumption and water use efficiency (WUE). Mentik Wangi variety had the highest water consumption of 24.1 liters. The IPB 9 G and Jatiluhur varieties achieved the highest water use efficiency of 2.4 and 2.3, respectively. Based on the heatmap analysis, both varieties had similarities in the morphological characteristics of long roots, high root weights, long and broad leaves, and high total grain counts per panicle. The similarity of physiological characteristics was high rates of photosynthesis and low transpiration. Varieties that achieve the highest water use efficiency have the potential to be developed into varieties that are tolerant to limited water conditions.

scholarly journals Water Use and Abuse in the United States: Behavioural Patterns Behind Excess Water Consumption and an Argument for an Efficient Demand Side Remedy

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Teresa Dela Cruz ◽  
J. Michael E. Gray
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
The United States ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Demand Side ◽  
Excess Water ◽  
Behavioural Patterns ◽  
Household Water

The last decade saw severe drought in the southeastern United States, which presented questions about the ways in which Americans use water and the best ways for government entities to handle future drought. During and after the droughts, researchers examined existing literature on water overconsumption and conducted new studies to explore water use and related behavior. We review the predominant work on the factors that influence household water consumption, the different methods by which government agencies can combat overconsumption, and argue for the demand-side approach of structured rate increases to limit superfluous use of water.

Analyzing the Effect of Mandatory Water Restrictions on Water Usage

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Trey Dronyk-Trosper ◽  
Brandli Stitzel
Keyword(s):  
Water Use ◽  
Water Consumption ◽  
Water Rights ◽  
Water Usage ◽  
Total Water ◽  
Water Restriction ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
Total Water Consumption ◽  
Water Restrictions

AbstractAs water rights and water usage become an ever more important part of municipalities’ and states’ way of life, it becomes important to understand what policies can be effective for encouraging conservation of water. One method that has been employed at various times and throughout numerous communities is to limit outdoor watering days. We use a dataset with over 3 million property-month observations during the 2007–2015 period in Norman, Oklahoma, to identify whether the periodic implementation of mandatory water restrictions reduces water usage. Our data allow us to exploit variance in the timing of these water restriction programs. Our findings indicate that this policy reduces water consumption by 0.7 % of total water consumption. Additionally, we use home assessment prices to identify heterogeneity in this response, finding that high priced homes are more responsive to water use restrictions.

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