Petal: Water
Imperative 05: Net Positive Water
 
Underground Cistern

Living Buildings must minimize stormwater runoff. The Kendeda Building’s landscape mimics the Piedmont Forest’s hydrology through seepage areas, rain gardens, and permeable pavers, allowing most rainwater to absorb into the ground.

Rainwater is also collected from the solar panels, roof deck, and green roof, then filtered into a 50,000-gallon basement cistern. This system captures about 40% of annual rooftop runoff. When the cistern is full, excess water is directed to on-site stormwater systems.

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The cistern is underneath the atrium outside of the auditorium. A special cover informs occupants that they are standing on top of up to 50,000 gallons of rainwater.
The building's rainwater-to-drinking water system, which when approved will make The Kendeda Building the smallest municipal water treatment system in Georgia.