Reclaimed Water andWd Wat er R euse By: Julius Ballanco, P.E., CPD JB Engineering and Code Consulting, P.C. Reason for Potable Water • Plumbing 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 aerosols 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 u l 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 – Rainwater harvesting – 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 – Kitc hen 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 reuse 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, shower, lavatory, and clothes washer waste water • Jurisdictions can limit the use of gray water systems. Gray Water Irrigation • 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 – Filtration – 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 toilet room Reclaimed Water Identification • The building must be labeled: CAUTION RECLAIMED WATER, DO NOT DRINK. DO NOT CONNECT TO DRINKING WATER SYSTEM. • The wa ter does 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 chlorine disinfectant Larger Whole House Systems • Larger systems provide treatment for the entire house. • Auxiliary water supply 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? 17.