What is the LEED requirement for kitchen faucet flow rates to pass the Indoor Water Use Reduction Credit?

To achieve the Indoor Water Use Reduction Credit within LEED, kitchen faucets must have flow rates of 1.5 gallons per minute or less. This requirement aligns with LEED's commitment to promoting water conservation and efficiency in building design and operation. By setting a standard for kitchen faucets, LEED encourages the installation of fixtures that help reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.

This target not only contributes to lower water consumption but also supports overall sustainable building practices, which aim to lessen the environmental impact of buildings. The industry has recognized that reducing flow rates to 1.5 gallons per minute can still provide sufficient water pressure for typical kitchen tasks, such as dishwashing and food preparation, thus making it a practical weight against resource conservation.

Higher flow rates, such as those found in other options, do not align with LEED’s water efficiency goals and can lead to unnecessary water waste. Therefore, the requirement for kitchen faucets to be limited to 1.5 gallons per minute or less is a key aspect of the LEED Water Efficiency criteria.