Water
Green buildings reduce fresh water use and recycle waste water
It takes huge amounts of energy to provide water for
human use and to treat it again for reuse. At the same
time, hard surfaces repel billions of gallons of rainwater,
sending it directly into storm sewers. CNT practices
efficient water-use and filters stormwater naturally.
1. Low-flow fixtures
Toilets, showers, and sinks are all equipped with low-flow equipment that reduces CNT's water use by 30%.
2. Capturing run-off
Rainwater that soaks slowly into the ground will replenish natural aquifers. Swales (small depressions) in our parking lot and rain garden hold water, so it seeps into the ground instead of running into storm sewers.
3. Habitat-friendly garden
Our garden has only native, drought-tolerant plants that survive on rainwater alone, with no mowing, watering, or fertilizing. Lawns, in contrast, require large amounts of water and energy.
4. Cleaner stormwater
Our parking lot is made of permeable layers. Rain soaks through crushed limestone, is filtered by multiple grades of sand, gravel, and soil, and returns to the water table cleansed of impurities and petrochemical toxins.Did you know...
- A one thousand square-foot roof sheds 165 gallons of water every time there is a quarter inch of rain.
- Compared to a patch of lawn, a rain garden allows about 30% more water to soak into the ground.