Framework for net-zero and net-positive building water cycle management

Abstract

Consumption of limited energy, water and material resources within the building sector drives the need for integrated building management strategies that alleviate the pressure placed on the environment. Net-zero buildings balance the inputs with outputs in order to offset negative external impacts associated with structure operations. Historically the net-zero concept has been applied to the building energy budget; however, the popularity of achieving net-zero compliance has expanded to carbon emissions, waste generation and water consumption. Concordant to the building energy subsystem, the water subsystem consists of multiple demands and sources that dynamically interact. The resultant building water cycle is unique to each building; and thus a generic strategy toward net-zero water compliance does not apply. Distinct differences between energy and water infrastructure components result in variant management strategies for net-zero or regenerative achievement. The application of net-zero concepts to the water sector is investigated, and a conceptual framework for the achievement of a net-positive building water cycle that increases the sustainability and resilience of the urban and natural environments is presented. Regenerative buildings producing a net-positive water impact must fulfil quantity, quality, spatial and temporal prerequisites.

Keywords:

• conservation
• net-positive
• recycling
• reuse
• sustainable buildings
• water
• water management

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the reviewers for helpful comments that improved the manuscript.

Funding

This research is supported by the USGBC Green Building Research Fund [grant number 230]. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number 0965743. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.