Advancing Green Building Through Responsible Water Management

How sustainable design, LEED alignment, and integrated construction practices drive long-term environmental performance.

ARTICLE SOURCE: Moriah (Mo) Cheshier, Sustainability Manager; Matt B. Brier, Preconstruction Manager

Atlanta, GA – April 22, 2026 — Although water makes up most of the Earth’s surface, freshwater is a limited and increasingly stressed resource. The United Nations reports that over 40% of the global population currently experiences water shortages, and this figure is projected to rise in the coming years. Water scarcity is one reason potable water access remains a core pillar of the UN’s Sustainable Development goals.

While global scarcity is a growing concern, the built environment plays a notable role in overall water demand. Construction activities, building operations, and material manufacturing collectively account for a significant portion of freshwater use and water is fundamental to life. As development continues and climate pressures intensify, responsible water stewardship becomes essential. Many communities are also imposing stricter water‑use regulations on new development, making proactive conservation strategies increasingly essential for long‑term project viability.

The way we design, build, and deliver projects impacts communities and ecosystems, making water conservation more than just about saving gallons. Its effects trickle down across multiple sectors, including:

Evans’ Role in Sustainable Water Management

Water efficiency is increasingly evaluated through quantifiable performance targets (baseline vs. proposed demand, percent reduction, and operational verification). Evans supports project teams by establishing a clear water strategy early, aligning owner sustainability goals, jurisdictional water constraints, and rating-system requirements, then translating that strategy into constructible details, coordinated scopes, and verifiable outcomes.

During preconstruction and early design, we help teams develop a project water balance (indoor + process + outdoor) and identify high-impact measures such as low-flow plumbing fixtures/flush valves (gpm/gpf verification), efficient irrigation design or non-irrigated landscape approaches (hydrozoning, drip where applicable), and submetering concepts to enable ongoing monitoring. We review fixture schedules and specifications for code compliance and performance, evaluate constructability and long-lead selections, and coordinate interfaces across civil/landscape/plumbing scopes so conservation intent is maintained through design development and CDs.

In construction, Evans helps protect water-performance assumptions through QA/QC: submittal and substitution reviews against specified flow/flush rates, coordination of controls (irrigation controller programming, rain/freeze shutoffs where used), and verification that installed products match the approved basis of design. We also support documentation workflows tied to LEED v4/v4.1 Water Efficiency (WE) credits, including calculation inputs, product data collection, and narrative support, so modeled or calculator-based reductions can be traced to installed conditions. At turnover, we encourage owner-ready deliverables such as as-built metering plans, O&M guidance for water-efficient systems, and measurement/verification practices to sustain savings over the building lifecycle.

Whether reviewing fixture specifications, verifying irrigation strategies, or tracking documentation for LEED credits, Evans plays an active role in translating sustainability commitments into measurable results. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), we remain closely aligned with evolving green building standards and industry best practices.

Project Spotlight: Delivering Water Savings in an Arid Climate

On a project pursuing LEED Silver located in an arid climate, Evans partnered with the owner and design team to incorporate xeriscaping, heavily relying on drought-tolerant and native species to eliminate the need for permanent irrigation systems. In a region where water scarcity is already a pressing concern, eliminating long-term irrigation demand represents both environmental responsibility and operational foresight.

• Outdoor Water Use – After the plant establishment period, no supplemental irrigation was necessary, leading to an overall outdoor water use reduction of 100% below the baseline water demand scenario.
• Indoor Water Use – Water efficient plumbing and flow fixtures were installed, contributing to a water use reduction of over 50%. Fixtures were selected to meet performance targets without compromising functionality.

After accounting for every planned drop of annual water use, the project is projected to achieve 68.11% total water use reduction, equating to a projected to an annual water savings of 11,146,847 gallons*. This is far more than “a drop in the bucket”. It represents meaningful progress toward sustainable, resilient built environments.

Whole-Project Savings

In an industry where incremental improvements can create significant cumulative impact, the whole project’s water reduction is key. But water efficiency is only one component of responsible building. Sustainable construction requires a comprehensive approach, from site selection and material choices to energy performance and long-term operational productivity. Project stakeholders and owners can equip themselves for project success by:

• Conducting a water-use audit
• Integrate water management goals at project conception
• Engage Evans early for sustainability consultation
• Pursue LEED or EPA WaterSense pathways for future developments

Through collaboration, accountability, and thoughtful execution, Evans continues to work with project teams to ensure that sustainability is not just a goal, but a meaningful and measurable outcome in how projects are designed, built, and operated.

REFERENCED:

Understanding the Importance of Water Conservation

*Water reductions calculated using LEED’s water reduction calculators

As we look ahead, we remain committed to uniting teams, elevating expectations, and delivering the kind of design‑build partnership that transforms complex visions into enduring success.