andWd Wat er R euse

By: Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD JB Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C.

Reason for Potable Water

• industry protects the health of the nation • Potable water is safe, hence it is safe to flush • Unclean water can impact the health of the occupants – Biological could be released – Dangerous microbes could be in the water Reclaimed water should scare you to death!

1 What is Reclaimed Water?

• Normally not safe to drink • Treated water – Tertiary treatment – Removal of solid – Chemical or ozone • Not harmf ul to public

What is not Reclaimed Water?

• Grey water • RiRain wa ter • Storm water • Subsoil water

These waters haven’t been treated.

2 Where can Reclaimed Water originate? • Grey water • RiRainwa ter • Municipal waste water • Black water • Recycled water • Snow melt • Any water source

Reclaimed Water Municipally Supplied

• Some waste water utilities supply reclaimed water • Predominantly in Southwest and Florida • Some jurisdictions mandate use for flushing

3 In-Situ Reclaimed Water

• Building can operate in place reclaimed water system • System requires water to be treated • Tertiary treatment

Definition of Reclaimed Water

IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code Sec tion 1614. 0 - RlidWtReclaimed Water - Nonpotable water the meets or as a result of treatment, meets federal requirements for its intended uses. The level of treatment and quality of the reclaimed water shall be approved by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

4 In-Situ Systems – High Cost

• Cost from least to most: – Small grey water – – Large grey water – Full recycled systems

What is Grey Water?

• Reused water from waste fixtures • Untreated waste • Fixtures prohibited: – Water closets Many Codes prohibit – Urinals dishwasher waste from – Kitch en s in ks discharging to a gray water system.

5 Single Application of Grey Water

• Used for subsoil agricultural use only!

UPC Modified Chapter 16 in 2009

• There are two parts to Chapter 16: – Gray water systems – Reclaimed water • Grey water is the of waste water for underground agricultural purposes • Reclaimed water was intended to apply to all types of reclaimed water systems , not just municipal systems.

6 Chapter 16 – Part 1, Gray Water

• Gray water systems are permitted for any building • The source of gray water includes: bathtub, , lavatory, and clothes washer waste water • Jurisdictions can limit the use of gray water systems.

Gray Water

• The irrigation system must be a subsurface system • The holding tanks must have overflows connected to the building drain • The requirements for the fields are well defined

7 Available Gray Water Systems

• Not all Systems are permitted. • Complexity is not required • Can be pumped or gravity system • Required to have an adequate supply

Prohibited Use

• Some States prohibit the use of gray water for vegetable gardens • Concern is the biological agents that could get in the food supply

8 Chapter 16 – Part 2, Reclaimed Water

• The water may be used for flush water closets and/or urinals • May be used for trap seal primer water • It can also be used for agricultural irrigation • Reclaimed water is permitted in any building

Tertiary Treatment

• Tertiary treatment means a minimum of: – Solids settlement – – Disinfection • Quality must be acceptable for flushing or irrigation

9 Disinfection Systems

• Manufacturers are specifically designing for reclaimed water • System use pellets, solid, liquid dispensing, feeding pumps, spray systems, ozone, etc. • Any system must

disinfect to an Calcium Hypochlorite Feeding System acceptable level

Who Determines Water Quality

• The measure of the water quality is established by the local jurisdiction • The testing is also locally determined • For large systems , it is weekly, if not more often

10 Reclaimed Water • The piping system must be purple and continuously labeled: Reclaimed water, do not drink. • Markings on the pipe must be at intervals not exceeding 5 feet. • All equipment associated with reclaimed water must be painted purple.

Pipe Identification

• Purple PVC pipe is a popular material • The industry uses this color for all reclaimed and reused water • The pipe identifies that the water is not for drinking

11 Signs On Room Entry

• The UPC requires asignatthea sign at the building entrance • A sign is also required at the entrance to each room

Reclaimed Water Identification

• The building must be labeled: CAUTION RECLAIMED WATER, DO NOT DRINK. DO NOT CONNECT TO SYSTEM. • The wat er d oes NOT have to be a different color.

12 Clearly Identified

• Sillcocks cannot be connected to reclaimed water • Identification is required for reclaimed water • Need to protect against inadvertent drinking of water

Lawn Sprinklers Identified

• The purple color is used on lawn sprinklers • This identifies that reclaimed water is being used • Reclaimed water can be sprayed above grade

13 Small In Place Systems

• System of collecting lavatory water and using it to flush a water closet • Self contained under the lavatory • Uses common disinfectant

Larger Whole House Systems

• Larger systems provide treatment for the entire house. • Auxiliary is needed. • These system must maintain proper backflow protection

14 Commercial Systems

• Larger systems are installed in commercial buildings • These systems must constantly monitor the quality of the water

Oldest Form of Reclaimed Water

• Rainwater catchment has been used for many years • Especially beneficial in areas with high rainfall rates • Still requires some form of treatment

15 Rainwater Catchment – Old Style

• Very popular on the Caribbean islands • Also used for drinking water by locals • Different requirements for water quality • Similar system can provide flushing or irrigation

Rainwater Catchment – Water Reuse

• A siphonic roof drainage system require an air break • The air break can be to a catchment tank • Water can be reused for irrigation or flushing • Treatment is still necessary

16 Reclaimed Water Pipe Sizing

• The sizing of reclaimed water is the same as the water distribution system • The piping must be isolated and identified • Backflow is also key.

Thanks for Your Time. Any questions?

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