The Net Zero Water Toolkit helps individuals and organizations make water resource planning decisions based on local conditions rather than targeting historical demand and allowing water quality impacts to flow downstream.
Building off the principles of net zero energy and climate neutrality, Net Zero Water (NZW) is concept that aims to change the way water resources are managed by making water resource planning decisions based on local conditions. Rather than going out and securing water supplies to meet historical demand patterns, a net zero water approach looks at local precipitation patterns and tries to maintain consumption at or below that available local supply. And, rather than allowing water quality impacts from stormwater runoff in developed areas to flow downstream, a net zero water approach looks to treat runoff on-site. NZW, or being water neutral, means using only as much water as falls on your site and eliminating all water quality impacts from the site.
To pilot the concept of NZW, Brendle Group (a sustainability engineering and planning firm) led the development of a building-scale NZW Planning Toolkit that walks users through the process of understanding their water footprint and taking action to reduce consumption and improve water quality whether they are a building owner, company, school campus, or community.
To launch this groundbreaking initiative, a user-friendly Microsoft Excel®-based analysis tool and companion guidebook (NZW Planning Toolkit) have been developed with the help of a project team, sponsors, and a technical advisory group. The NZW Planning Toolkit is designed to help users quantify their water footprint, evaluate reduction strategies, and recognize financial and environmental benefits from reducing their water use and water quality impacts. It is anticipated to be used widely across the public and private sectors and is intended to standardize and simplify water analysis and planning, while maximizing economic returns and environmental benefits.
The building-scale Toolkit is currently available for free download. Subsequent phases will focus on modules for the building portfolio, campus, district/neighborhood, and community scales.
FULL STORY: New Zero Water

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie