|
|
Bill to Allow Rainwater Catchment Based on IAPMO's GPCMS Moving Through California Legislature
Legislation that would allow California landowners to install, maintain and operate rainwater catchment systems in accordance with provisions contained within IAPMO's Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement continues to make its way through the California State Legislature.
According to AB 275, the Rainwater Catchment Act of 2011, California’s continued growth and development has led to an increase in the amount of stormwater runoff. This drastic increase of stormwater runoff is making its way into streams, flood channels and storm sewers, thus increasing the amount of pollution flowing to the ocean and other surfaces and decreasing the volume of water reaching groundwater aquifers, the bill states.
Introduced by Assemblyman Jose Solorio (D-Anaheim), AB 275 cites the need to expand opportunities for rainwater and stormwater capture for nonpotable water uses in order to increase available supplies of drinking water.
The bill would allow any residential, commercial or governmental landowner to install, maintain and operate a rain barrel system, but only if the system is used to supply water for outdoor, nonpotable uses and is used in compliance with all manufacturer instructions; and/or a rainwater capture system for subsequent outdoor nonpotable use or infiltration into groundwater.
Additionally, a rainwater capture system for indoor use could be installed as long as certain requirements are met, including a supplemental filtration or disinfection device; a backflow preventer if the system is connected to receive water from a potable source; and it is inspected by the local agency with jurisdiction over the enforcement of building standards.
Any system designed for indoor nonpotable use also must comply with requirements contained in IAPMO’s 2010 Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement “unless the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development adopt superseding building standards for rainwater capture systems for indoor nonpotable use,” according to the legislation.
After passing the Assembly by a 75-0 vote, AB 275 was referred to the state Senate committees on Natural Resources & Water Quality and Environmental Quality.
|
