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707.11 Rainwater Catchment and Collection Systems
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The design of rainwater collection and conveyance systems shall conform to accepted engineering practice.
Rainwater shall be collected only from above-ground impervious roofing surfaces constructed from approved materials. Collection of water from vehicular parking or pedestrian surfaces shall be prohibited except where the water is used exclusively for landscape irrigation. Overflow and bleed-off pipes from roof-mounted appliances including but not limited to evaporative coolers, water heaters, and solar water heaters shall not discharge onto rainwater collection surfaces.
Where collected water is to be treated to potable water standards, wood or cedar shake roofing materials, roofing materials treated with biocides, and lead flashing are prohibited on collection surfaces. Painted surfaces are acceptable only where paint has been certified to ensure that the toxicity level of the paint is acceptable for drinking water contact. Lead, chromium or zinc-based paints are not permitted on rainwater collection surfaces. Flat roofing products shall be certified to NSF P151. Rainwater shall not be collected from vegetated roof systems.
Downspouts and leaders shall be connected to a roof washer and shall be equipped with a debris excluder or equivalent device to prevent the contamination of collected rainwater with leaves, sticks, pine needles and similar material. Debris excluders and equivalent devices shall be self-cleaning.
Gutters and downspouts shall be constructed of materials that are compatible with the collection surface and the rainwater quality for the desired end use. Joints shall be water tight. Where the collected rainwater is to be used for potable applications, gutters, downspouts, flashing and joints shall be constructed of materials approved for drinking water applications.
Roof gutters, leaders, and rainwater collection piping shall slope continuously toward collection inlets. Gutters and downspouts shall have a slope of not less than 1 unit in 96 units along their entire length, and shall not permit the collection or pooling of water at any point.
Exception: Siphonic drainage systems installed in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions shall not be required to have slope.
Gutters and downspouts shall be installed and sized in accordance with Section 1106.6 of the International Plumbing Code.
Cleanouts shall be provided in the water conveyance system so as to allow access to all filters, flushes, pipes and downspouts.
In buildings where rainwater collection and conveyance systems are installed, drainage piping approved for use within plumbing drainage systems shall be utilized to collect rainwater and convey it to the storage tank. Vent piping approved for use within plumbing venting systems shall be utilized for all vents within the rainwater system. Drains to a storm water discharge shall use approved waste piping.
Collection piping conveying rainwater shall utilize joints approved for use with the distribution piping and appropriate for the intended applications as specified in the International Plumbing Code.
Collection piping conveying rainwater from collection surfaces shall be sized in accordance with Chapter 11 of the International Plumbing Code and local rainfall rates.
Additional marking of rainwater collection piping shall not be required beyond that required for sanitary drainage, waste, and vent piping by the International Plumbing Code.
Collected rainwater shall be filtered to the level required for the intended end use. Filters shall be accessible for inspection and maintenance.
Where the intended application and initial quality of the collected rainwater requires disinfection or other treatment or both, the collected rainwater shall be treated as needed to ensure that 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 D 1253. The levels of residual chlorine shall not exceed the levels allowed for the intended use in accordance with the requirements of the jurisdiction.
Storage tanks shall be installed either above or below grade. Above-grade storage tanks shall be protected from direct sunlight and shall be constructed using opaque, UV-resistant materials including, but not limited to, heavily tinted plastic, fiberglass, lined metal, concrete, wood, or painted to prevent algae growth, or shall have specially constructed sun barriers including, but not limited to, installation in garages, crawlspaces, or sheds. Storage tanks and their manholes shall not be located directly under any soil or waste piping or any source of contamination. Rainwater storage tanks shall be located with a minimum horizontal distance between various elements as indicated in Table 707.11.7.1.
TABLE 707.11.7.1
LOCATION OF RAINWATER STORAGE TANKS
| ELEMENT | MINIMUM HORIZONTAL DISTANCE FROM STORAGE TANK (feet) |
| Critical root zone (CRZ) of protected trees | 2 |
| Lot line adjoining private lots | 5 |
| Seepage pits | 5 |
| Septic tanks | 5 |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
Where water is collected onsite, it shall be collected in an approved tank constructed of durable, nonabsorbent and corrosion-resistant materials. Storage vessels shall be compatible with the material being stored.Where collected water is to be treated to potable water standards, tanks shall be constructed of materials in accordance with NSF 61. Storage tanks shall be constructed of materials compatible with the type of disinfection system used to treat water upstream of the tank and used to maintain water quality within the tank.
Wooden storage tanks shall not be required to have a liner. Where a tank is lined and used for potable water, the liner shall be in accordance with NSF standards. Where unlined tanks are used, the species of wood shall be decay resistant and untreated.
Where an uninterrupted supply is required for the intended application, potable or municipally supplied reclaimed or recycled water shall be provided as a source of makeup water for the storage tank. The potable or reclaimed or recycled water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the International Plumbing Code.
The storage tank shall be equipped with an overflow pipe having the same or larger area as the sum of the areas of all tank inlet pipes. The overflow pipe shall be protected from insects or vermin and the discharge from such pipe shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with storm water runoff requirements of the jurisdiction. The overflow pipe shall discharge at a sufficient distance from the tank to avoid damaging the tank foundation or the adjacent property. The overflow drain shall not be equipped with a shutoff valve. A minimum of one cleanout shall be provided on each overflow pipe in accordance with Section 708 of the International Plumbing Code.
A minimum of one access opening shall be provided to allow inspection and cleaning of the tank interior. Access openings to storage tanks and other vessels shall have an approved locking device or shall otherwise be protected from unauthorized access. Below-grade storage tanks, located outside of the building, shall be provided with either a manhole not less than 24 inches (610 mm) square or a manhole with an inside diameter of not less than 24 inches (610 mm). Manholes shall extend not less than 4 inches (102 mm) above ground or shall be designed so as to prevent water infiltration. Finish grade shall be sloped away from the manhole to divert surface water from the manhole. Each manhole cover shall be secured to prevent unauthorized access. Service ports in manhole covers shall be not less than 8 inches (203 mm) in diameter and shall be not less than 4 inches (102 mm) above the finished grade level. The service port shall be secured to prevent unauthorized access.
Exception: Storage tanks having a volume of less than 800 gallons (3028 L) and installed below grade shall not be required to be equipped with a manhole where provided with a service port that is not less than 8 inches (203 mm) in diameter.
Tanks shall be provided with a vent sized in accordance with the International Plumbing Code and based on the diameter of the tank influent pipe. Tank vents shall not be connected to sanitary drainage system vents.
Storage tank inlets shall be designed to introduce water into the tank with minimum turbulence, and shall be located and designed to avoid agitating the contents of the storage tank.
Outlets shall be located not less than 4 inches (102 mm) above the bottom of the storage tanks and shall not skim water from the surface.
Where tanks require draining for service or cleaning, tanks shall be drained by using a pump or by a drain located at the lowest point in the tank. The discharge from draining the tank shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with the storm water runoff requirements of the jurisdiction and at a sufficient distance from the tank to avoid damaging the tank foundation.
Each storage tank shall be marked with its rated capacity. Storage tanks shall bear signage that reads as follows: "CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER — DO NOT DRINK." Where an opening is provided that could allow the entry of personnel, the opening shall bear signage that reads as follows: "DANGER — CONFINED SPACE." Markings shall be indelibly printed on a tag or sign constructed of corrosion-resistant waterproof material mounted on the tank or shall be indelibly printed on the tank. The letters of words shall be not less than 0.5 inches (13 mm) in height and shall be of a color that contrasts with the background on which they are applied.
Valves shall be supplied in accordance with Section 707.11.8.1.
Backwater valves shall be installed on each overflow and tank drain pipe. Backwater valves shall be installed so that access is provided to the working parts for service and repair.
A sufficient amount of rainwater shall be diverted at the beginning of each rain event, and not allowed to enter the storage tank, to wash accumulated debris from the collection surface. The amount of rainfall to be diverted shall be field adjustable as necessary to minimize storage tank water contamination. The roof washer shall not rely on manually operated valves or devices, and shall operate automatically. Diverted rainwater shall not be drained to the roof surface, and shall be discharged in a manner consistent with the storm water runoff requirements of the jurisdiction. Roof washers shall be accessible for maintenance and service.
Storage tanks shall be provided with a vent in accordance with the requirements of Section 707.11.7.6. Vents shall be sized in accordance with the International Plumbing Code, based on the aggregate diameter of storage tank influent pipe(s). Vents shall be protected from contamination by means of a U-bend installed with the opening directed downward or an approved cap. Vent outlets shall extend a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) above grade, or as necessary to prevent surface water from entering the storage tank. Vent openings shall be protected against the entrance of vermin and insects in accordance with the requirements of Section 707.7.
Mechanical equipment including pumps, valves and filters shall be easily accessible and removable in order to perform repair, maintenance and cleaning. Where collected rainwater is to be treated to potable water standards, the pump and all other pump components shall be listed, labeled and approved for use with potable water systems. Pressurized water shall be supplied at a pressure appropriate for the application and within the range specified by the International Plumbing Code. Where water could be supplied at an excessive pressure, a pressure-reducing valve shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of the International Plumbing Code.
Where the rainwater pressure supplied by the pumping system exceeds 80 psi (552 kPa) static, a pressure-reducing valve shall be installed to reduce the pressure in the rainwater distribution system piping to 80 psi (552 kPa) static or less. Pressure-reducing valves shall be specified and installed in accordance with Section 604.8 of the International Plumbing Code.
Distribution piping shall comply with Sections 707.11.12.1 through 707.11.12.4.
Distribution piping conveying rainwater shall conform to the standards and requirements specified by the International Plumbing Code for nonpotable or potable water, as applicable.
Distribution piping conveying rainwater shall be sized in accordance with the International Plumbing Code for the intended application.
Nonpotable rainwater distribution piping shall be of the color purple and shall be embossed or integrally stamped or marked with the words: "CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER — DO NOT DRINK" or shall be installed with a purple identification tape or wrap. Identification tape shall be not less than 3 inches (76 mm) wide and have white or black lettering on purple field stating "CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER — DO NOT DRINK." Identification tape shall be installed on top of nonpotable rainwater distribution pipes, fastened not greater than every 10 feet (3048 mm) to each pipe length and run continuously the entire length of the pipe. Lettering shall be readily observable within the room or space where the piping is located.
Exception: Piping located outside of the building and downstream of the backflow preventer is not required to be purple where rainwater is used for outdoor applications.
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