10. Food & Water - Universally Accessible Water Supplies

Provide accessible water supplies

Rationale: Convenient and universally accessible water bottle refilling stations separate from sinks offer access to clean water, supporting regular hydration and decreasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages — contributing to reduced risk of conditions associated with dehydration, such as kidney infections, improved nutrition, and decreased rates of diet-related conditions, such as obesity.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Requirement Guidance

Buildings within the group of typical buildings that do not meet the requirements may pursue alternative compliance, or they will not achieve credit for this strategy.

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Universally Accessible Water Refilling Stations (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

1. Provide universally accessible water supplies that meet one of the following qualifying accessibility standards:
   • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks
   • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks.
2. Ensure water supplies include a dispenser or faucet designed to fill jugs, glasses, water bottles, or similar items (bathroom sinks do not qualify).

3. Locate water supplies on each floor with indoor common areas accessible to all residential occupants.

   Qualifying indoor common spaces must include but are not limited to the following:

   • Common spaces: which include spaces where building occupants gather for social events. Spaces include resident lounges, common kitchen facilities, multipurpose rooms, and game rooms.
   • Common building amenities: which include resource centers, fitness facilities, and exercise rooms.
4. Ensure that the identified water supplies are accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.

Option 2 - Universally Accessible Water Supplies (Partial Credit):

The project may achieve partial credit by demonstrating compliance with all of the following requirements:    

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+)

1. Provide universally accessible water supplies that meet one of the following qualifying accessibility standards:
   • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks
   • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks.

2. Locate water supplies on each floor with indoor common areas accessible to all residential occupants.

   Qualifying indoor common spaces must include but are not limited to the following:

   • Common spaces: which include spaces where building occupants gather for social events. Spaces include resident lounges, common kitchen facilities, multipurpose rooms, and game rooms.
   • Common building amenities: which include resource centers, fitness facilities, and exercise rooms.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway (LR+)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the following standard(s) will be used across all water supplies:      
    • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks   
    • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks.   
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) detailing how each unique water supply will meet a qualifying accessibility standard.       
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) showing each unique type of water supply used.       
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated design drawing(s) or plan(s) for each group of typical buildings with common areas identifying:
    • the location of each planned water supply
    • each floor that includes common areas accessible to all residential occupants.    
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the water supplies will be accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.        

Option 2: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the following standard(s) will be used across all water supplies:     
    • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks  
    • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks.  
  • Upload annotated design drawings or a photograph(s) detailing how each unique water supply will meet a qualifying accessibility standard.     
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated design drawing(s) or plan(s) for each group of typical buildings with common areas identifying:
    • the location of each planned water supply
    • each floor that includes common areas accessible to all residential occupants.    

Built Pathway (LR+)

Option 1: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the following standard(s) are used across all water supplies:     
    • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks  
    • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks.  
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) detailing how each unique water supply meets a qualifying accessibility standard.      
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) showing each unique type of water supply used.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated plan(s) for each group of typical buildings with common areas identifying:
    • the location of each water supply
    • each floor that includes common areas accessible to all residential occupants.   
• Requirement 4:
  • Checkbox to certify that the water supplies are accessible free of charge to all residential occupants.        

Option 2: 

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the following standard(s) are used across all water supplies:    
    • the current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks 
    • ISO 21542: 2011 requirements for building construction, accessibility, and usability of the building environment in regard to circulation, heights, and clearances for drinking fountains, water supplies, and/or sinks. 
  • Upload annotated photograph(s) detailing how each unique water supply meets a qualifying accessibility standard.    
• Requirement 2:
  • Upload an annotated plan(s) for each group of typical buildings with common areas identifying:
    • the location of each water supply
    • each floor that includes common areas accessible to all residential occupants.