Water conservation is
key element in achieving
effective green building
Column contributed by the Florida Green
Building Coalition (FGBC)
W ater plays a big role in our
local communities. Without
water, there would be no local busi-
ness or industry. Fire fighting, munici-
pal parks, and public swimming pools
all need a reliable supply of water. In
addition, water is used for agriculture,
manufacturing, energy production,
and outdoor recreation.
Almost every facet of life in Florida
is closely associated with water. Ac-
cording to the U.S. Geological Survey,
the average Floridian uses 133 gallons
of water each day. Slightly less than
8 – SPRING 2017 — Florida Construction News
half is used inside the home. The rest
is used outdoors, primarily for land-
scape irrigation.
As our population grows and the
demand for drinking water increases,
Florida must build on its water conser-
vation initiatives and expand the use
of reclaimed water to extend ground-
water supplies. In many areas, utilities
will need to develop alternative
sources of water to bolster traditional
drinking water sources.
This increasing demand on our
state’s water resources necessitates
that sustainable building be a corner-
stone of Florida’s future.
To that end, the Florida Green
Building Coalition (FGBC) develops
and administers the “Florida Green”
green building certification standards,
designed to increase the sustainability
of Florida’s built environment.
Land developments requiring
green home certification such as
Lakewood Ranch in Manatee County,
Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County,
Oakland Park in Orange County, and
Alys Beach in Walton County are key
drivers for advancing sustainability
among the building industry. And the
builders embracing this trend such as
Neal Communities, Lennar, Pulte, Mat-
tamy Homes, Taylor Morrison, William
Ryan Homes, Southern Crafted
Homes, and Premier Construction & Development
are capturing a large portion of the new home sales
market across the state. That type of participation
has helped FGBC reach a new milestone of more
than 14,000 “Florida Green” certified projects.
Water conserving strategies, both inside the
building and out in the landscape, play a primary
role in green building and are a main category in the
certification process. Approaches include low-flow
plumbing fixtures, greywater reuse, rainwater har-
vesting, reclaimed water reuse, proper plant selec-
tion for landscapes, and properly installed irrigation
systems. With many regions of Florida facing public water
supply constraints, building homes and commercial
projects to use less water by way of high-efficiency
components only makes sense.
The Florida Water Star program is a voluntary
water conservation certification program for new
residential and commercial construction and exist-
ing home renovation that works in partnership with
comprehensive green building certification. The
program encourages water efficiency in appliances,
plumbing fixtures, irrigation systems and land-
scapes, as well as water quality benefits from best
management practices in landscapes. Based on es-
timates, an average Florida Water Star homeowner
can save up to 20 percent of water use annually.
With site appropriate plants, increased shade
and reduced areas of irrigated turf grass, an irriga-
tion system can be set to run for much shorter pe-
riods — and in some cases, an irrigation system is
not necessary at all.
Looking to the future, and Florida’s continued
water resource constraints, it will become even
more critical that water conservation be a part of
every aspect within Florida’s economy.
Agricultural water users will need to upgrade to
more efficient irrigation systems and implement
best management practices. Golf courses must re-
duce the amount of acreage irrigated, install irriga-
tion systems that reduce the volume of water used,
and install soil moisture and rain sensors.
Builders will need to incorporate green building
programs such as FGBC Florida Green and Florida
Water Star into their construction process. The ad-
vantages of green building are abundant: less im-
pact on our natural resources, healthier indoor
environments, increased worker productivity, re-
duced operating costs, and increased market value.
With a concerted effort, Florida can alter its
pending water crisis by engaging the many differ-
ent disciplines of the building industry in adopting
water conservation strategies.
For information about green building practices,
visit the Florida Green Building Coalition website at:
www.floridagreenbuilding.org. Florida
Water StarSM
information is
available at
floridawaterstar.com. Challenges with the Statute of Repose:
Contractor forces
Hollywood condominium
project to foreclosure
auction Florida Construction News staff writer
In a rare action, general contractor LB Construction has won
a judgement ordering the stalled H3 Hollywood Condominium
project to foreclosure auction because of a massive unpaid con-
struction lien.
LB Construction has been awarded $20.2 million in damages
against the developer, Hollywood Station Investments, includ-
ing a $15.8 million construction lien judgment.
Miami attorney Jill Nexon Berman, who represents Holly-
wood Station Investments, declined comment, the South
Florida Business Journal reported. Hollywood Station Invest-
ments is managed by Diego Besga of Team Real Estate Man-
agement. “We are proceeding to foreclosure judgment if necessary,”
said attorney Peter Berlowe, who represents LB Construction.
“We are hopeful that resolution will be reached before we get
that far. We are trying to work with all of the subcontractors and
material suppliers to see that they are taken care of to the best
of our ability.”
Construction hit the 13th floor before the developer halted
construction last fall. It was slated to be completed in January.
Prices for units started at $250,000.
An auction has been scheduled for April 25.
In September, Hollywood Station Investments sent a letter
to buyers telling them that construction had stopped because
“general market conditions have deteriorated.”
South Florida condo sales have declined over the past year.
Many experts blame the strong U.S. dollar making it more ex-
pensive for foreign investors to buy here. Few domestic buyers
are willing or able to put down 50 percent deposits.
Florida Construction News — SPRING 2017 – 9