How does LEED suggest that buildings monitor their water usage post-occupancy?

LEED emphasizes the importance of ongoing water use performance assessments because they provide a continuous evaluation of a building’s water consumption over time. This approach allows building managers to identify patterns in water usage, detect potential leaks or inefficiencies, and implement strategies to reduce overall water consumption. By regularly assessing performance, buildings can adapt to changing conditions, utilize data to inform sustainability practices, and ultimately support water conservation goals.

Other methods like manual monthly readings or reliance on water meter installation alone may not provide a comprehensive or timely understanding of usage patterns. Additionally, annual audits by external agencies might not be frequent enough to capture immediate fluctuations or issues, limiting responsiveness to water management. The goal of LEED is to encourage proactive performance monitoring, making ongoing assessments the most effective strategy for post-occupancy water management.