The benefits of rainwater harvesting go beyond reducing water costs:
- Attain LEED points through the US Green Building Council.
 LEED points updated: More points for Rainwater Harvesting.
Storm Water Design: Quality Control
Sustainable Sites Credit 6.1: 1 pt: Limit disruption and pollution of natural water flows by managing stormwater runoff.
Sustainable Sites Credit 6.2: 1 pt: Limit disruption of natural water flows by eliminating stormwater runoff, increasing on-site infiltration, and eliminating contaminant.
Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50%
Water Efficiency Credit 1.1: 2 pts: Use captured rain or recycled site water to reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% over conventional means.
Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Use or No Irrigation
Water Efficiency Credit 1.2: 2 pts: Use only captured rain or recycled site water to eliminate all potable water use for site irrigation.
Innovative Wastewater Technologies
Water Efficiency Credit 2: 2 pts: Reduce the generation of wastewater and potable water demand, while increasing the local aquifer recharge.
Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction
Water Efficiency Credit 3.1: Required: Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Use 20% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).
Water Use Reduction: 30% Reduction
Water Efficiency Credit 3.2: 2-4 pts: Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Use 30% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).
30% reduction: 2 pts
35% reduction: 3 pts
40% reduction: 4 pts
- Reduce energy demands
Rainwater harvesting water used for nonpotable needs consumes less energy than municipally supplied water, which undergoes high energy requiring water treatment and distribution processes.
- Promote green technologies and water conservation
- Reduce stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution
Reduce stormwater fees
Reduce detention pond areas
Increase usable green space
Utilize land more efficiently for buildings
Protect sensitive waterways
- Reuse water on site for nonpotable demands like:
- landscape irrigation
- green roof irrigation
- pool or pond filling
- vehicle washing
- cars
- fleet vehicles
- emergency vehicles: fire trucks, police cars, ambulances
- lawnmowers
- tractors
- toilet flushing
- clothes washing
- fire suppression
- cooling towers
- cleaning
- Provide a water supply in areas where groundwater is diminished and/or municipal water supply is not available.
- Provide an onsite safe water supply during natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
- Allow for irrigation during times of drought, which promotes plant health, thus reducing the heat island effect and subsequent energy demands around buildings.
- Collect water during heavy rains, which can not be absorbed into ground, and reapply at the appropriate infiltration rate, thus encouraging plant growth and reducing stormwater runoff.
- Recharge groundwater aquifers with collected rainwater.
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