Commercial Restroom Reflections: LEED Version 5 Has Arrived

LEED version 5 (LEED v5) was officially ratified in April 2025, with LEED v4.1 set for phase-out by Q1 2026. To better understand the advancements within LEED v5 and its implications for the plumbing industry, we sat down with Sloan’s Vice President of Sustainability, Dr. Paul Sambanis. Paul's insights shed light on how the latest updates in LEED standards are pushing the boundaries of sustainability and how Sloan is positioned as a leader in this space. 

What are the new sustainability criteria introduced in LEED v5, and how do they further enhance green building practices compared to LEED v4? 

LEED v5 marks the most significant overhaul to the standard in over a decade. New sustainability criteria now reflect innovations in resilience, decarbonization, and ecosystem preservation. LEED v5 pushes beyond traditional efficiency measures to focus on broader sustainability impacts and long-term building performance. 

Key additions include:

• Resilience planning: Buildings must consider potential vulnerabilities to climate change, such as more frequent severe weather events. Flood walls, backflow preventers, and permeable surfaces for parking lots are examples of resilient design strategies that LEED now encourages.
• Decarbonization targets: LEED v5 emphasizes embodied carbon reduction in construction materials, particularly in steel and concrete, which are significant contributors to carbon footprints.
• Water quality and resource recovery: A shift from solely focusing on water efficiency to championing alternative water systems, like gray water recycling for non-potable uses, reflects a more holistic approach to water stewardship. 

These advancements challenge stakeholders to think beyond individual building components and focus on integrated, multi-functional systems that deliver lasting environmental benefits. 

Has the certification process changed with the transition to LEED v5, and if so, in what ways? 

The foundational certification process remains familiar. However, the path to earning points has been redefined under LEED v5, introducing flexibility alongside complexity. 

What's new: 

• Expanded pathways for earning points in water management and other categories provide project teams tailored options. For water efficiency, for example, points can now be earned by assessing the entire water footprint of a project or through selective system upgrades like efficient restroom products.
• Enhanced baseline requirements ensure stricter preliminary measures for compliance. For instance, water metering and leak detection systems are now mandatory.
• Customization possibilities enable a mix-and-match approach to meet prerequisites and optimize points through targeted strategies, whether it’s achieving enhanced water efficiency or leveraging embodied carbon reduction measures. 

Has the transition to LEED v5 influenced Sloan’s overall sustainability strategy and/or impacted the design and manufacturing processes for Sloan’s products? 

Sustainability has always been at the heart of Sloan’s mission and vision. The alignment of LEED v5’s principles with Sloan’s strategic goals has motivated the company to advance its solutions further and innovate where required. 

Sloan is tackling these updates with several initiatives to better support LEED v5 benchmarks: 

• Refining product innovation: Sloan is developing smarter technologies like the SC Argus® Pro for enhanced water metering and leak detection in commercial settings to meet upgraded LEED requirements. Additionally, new flushometers with integrated leak protection are being designed to further support efficiency.
• Reducing embodied carbon: Sloan has optimized its manufacturing processes to lower embodied carbon in products like flushometers. Transparency tools, including Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and optimization reports, demonstrate Sloan’s ability to meet and exceed LEED’s reduced carbon criteria.
• Leading in water resource management: Most urban commercial buildings lack the option for landscaping. As a result, the primary alternative for water reuse is flushing toilets using Sloan's reclaimed flushometers.

Are there any specific industry sectors that will be most affected by the shift to LEED v5 standards? 

Certain sectors face greater challenges adapting to LEED v5 due to the heightened focus on embodied carbon and resilience. Chief among these are the steel and concrete industries, critical in standard building materials. The push toward decarbonization, along with material reuse mandates during decommissioning, signals a paradigm shift in construction practices. 

For the plumbing and restroom industry, the emphasis on water quality, metering, and resource recovery represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Sloan is meeting these demands head-on by delivering products that contribute to high-performing, resource-efficient buildings. Enterprises incorporating Sloan fixtures are better positioned to address compliance while achieving meaningful environmental outcomes. 

What opportunities do you see in the marketplace as a result of the shift to LEED v5? What is Sloan doing to position itself as a sustainability leader under the new LEED standards? 

The shift to LEED v5 creates diverse opportunities for companies to champion sustainability, customize solutions, and provide excellence in consultancy. 

Sloan’s approach includes:

• Water sustainability advisory services: Sloan provides expert consultation to help clients design efficient restrooms, achieve LEED targets, and improve overall sustainability scores. This one-on-one partnership makes complex compliance easier to achieve.
• Product compatibility matrices: Tools under development will help clients quickly identify Sloan products aligned with specific LEED v5 categories, streamlining procurement decisions.
• Global commitments: With innovations at offices in India and Mexico, as well as sustainable practices at our headquarters in Franklin Park, Ill., Sloan demonstrates its global ability to positively impact operations worldwide. 

How do you envision LEED standards evolving in the future, and how is Sloan preparing for these changes now? 

The future of LEED lies in expanded sustainability parameters and heightened accountability. The emphasis will continue shifting toward long-term performance and environmental alignment. Future updates may focus on: 

• Resource recovery innovations like using alternative water systems for resource recovery (i.e. Lithium extraction) in water system, maximizing functionalities beyond traditional use cases.
• Water resource management expansion, promoting rainwater harvesting and gray water use as standard, not optional, practices.
• Carbon neutrality advancements, requiring all manufacturers to offer evidence of reduction of embodied carbon within their full product pipelines. 

Sloan is already laying the foundation for compliance. By developing products aimed at water efficiency, system compatibility, and minimized carbon footprints, Sloan is helping to set the standard for the plumbing industry.