The installation, construction, alteration, and repair of rainwater catchments systems intended to supply uses such as water closets, urinals, trap primers for floor drains and floor sinks, irrigation, industrial processes, water features, cooling tower makeup and other uses shall be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
No permit for a rainwater catchment system shall be issued until complete plumbing plans, with data satisfactory to the Authority Having Jurisdiction, have been submitted and approved.
No changes or connections shall be made to either the rainwater catchment system or the potable water system within a site containing a rainwater catchment system requiring a permit without approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Rainwater catchment systems shall have no direct connection to a potable water supply or alternate water source system. Potable or reclaimed (recycled) water is permitted to be used as makeup water for a rainwater catchment system provided the potable or reclaimed (recycled) water supply connection is protected by an air gap or reduced-pressure principle backflow preventer in accordance with this code.
Where a portion of a rainwater catchment system is installed within a building, a cross-connection test is required in accordance with Section 1605.3. Before the building is occupied or the system is activated, the installer shall perform the initial cross-connection test in the presence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction and other authorities having jurisdiction. The test shall be ruled successful by the Authority Having Jurisdiction before final approval is granted.
Rainwater catchment water supply and distribution materials shall comply with the requirements of this code for potable water supply and distribution systems unless otherwise provided for in this section.
Materials used in rainwater catchment drainage systems, including gutters, downspouts, conductors, and leaders shall be in accordance with the requirements of this code for storm drainage.
Rainwater catchment systems shall have a colored background in accordance with Section 601.3. Rainwater catchment systems shall be marked, in lettering in accordance with Section 601.3.3, with the words: "CAUTION: NONPOTABLE RAINWATER WATER, DO NOT DRINK."
Outside hose bibbs shall be allowed on rainwater piping systems. Hose bibbs supplying rainwater shall be marked with the words: "CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER, DO NOT DRINK'' and Figure 1602.9.1.
The rainwater catchment system and the potable water system within the building shall be provided with the required appurtenances (e.g., valves, air or vacuum relief valves, etc.) to allow for deactivation or drainage as required for a cross-connection test in accordance with Section 1605.3.
Rainwater shall be collected from roof surfaces or other impervious manmade, above-ground collection surfaces. Rainwater collected from surface water runoff, vehicular parking surfaces or manmade surfaces at or below grade shall comply with the water quality requirements for onsite treated nonpotable gray water in Section 1504.0.
Exception: Collected rainwater or storm water used exclusively for subsurface landscape irrigation.
Natural precipitation collected from surface water runoff, vehicular parking surfaces, or manmade surfaces at or below grade shall be in accordance with the water quality requirements for on-site treated nonpotable gray water systems in Section 1506.0.
Exception: Collected rainwater or storm water used exclusively for subsurface landscape irrigation.
Overflows and bleed-off pipes from roof-mounted equipment and appliances shall not discharge onto roof surfaces that are intended to collect rainwater.
The minimum water quality for harvested rainwater shall meet the applicable water quality requirements for the intended applications as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction. In the absence of water quality requirements
determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the minimum treatment and water quality shall be in accordance with Table 1602.9.6.
Exception: [BSC] No treatment is required for rainwater used for non-spray irrigation where the maximum storage volume is less than 5000 gallons (18 927 L) where the tank is supported directly upon grade and the ratio of
height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1.
TABLE 1602.9.6
MINIMUM TREATMENT AND WATER QUALITY FOR RAINWATER
APPLICATION
MINIMUM TREATMENT
MINIMUM WATER QUALITY
Car washing
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
N/A
100 Micron (100 μm) in compliance with Section1603.15for drip irrigation
Surface, subsurface and drip irrigation
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
N/A
100 Micron (100 μm) in compliance with Section1603.15for drip irrigation
Spray irrigation where the maximum storage volume
is less than 360 gallons (1363 L)
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
N/A
Spray irrigation where the maximum storage volume
is equal to or greater than 360 gallons (1363 L)
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
Escherichia coli: < 100 CFU/100 ml Turbidity: < 10 NTU
Urinal and water closet flushing, clothes washing,
and trap priming
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
Escherichia coli: < 100 CFU/100 ml
100 Micron (100 μm) in compliance with Section1603.15
Turbidity: < 10 NTU
Ornamental fountains and other water features
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
Escherichia coli: < 100 CFU/100 ml
Turbidity: < 10 NTU
Cooling tower make up water
Debris excluder or other approved means in compliance with Section1603.14
Escherichia coli: < 100 CFU/100 ml
100 Micron (100 μm) in compliance with Section1603.15
Where the initial quality
of the collected rainwater requires disinfection
or other treatment or both, the collected rainwater
shall be treated as necessary to ensure the required
water quality is delivered at the point of use. Where
chlorine is used for disinfection or treatment, water
shall be tested for residual chlorine in accordance
with ASTM D1253. The levels of residual chlorine
shall not exceed the levels allowed for the intended
use in accordance with the requirements of the local
Enforcing Agency.
