Design & Implementation of Harvested Water in Buildings Shah Smith & Associates, Inc. June 2009

Why Harvest Water?  Limited Resource  Water Conservation Texas’s population is expected to nearly double between 2000 and 2050 (Texas Water Development Board, 2002). Texas’s population is expected to nearly double between 2000 and 2050 (Texas Water Development Board, 2002).  Can assist in acquiring up to 7 LEED points. (LEED 2009, 3v) Credits Credits SS 6.1, Reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff SS 6.1, Reduce the quantity of stormwater runoff WE 1, Reduce potable water use for irrigationWE 1, Reduce potable water use for irrigation WE 2, Reduce potable water use for building sewage conveyanceWE 2, Reduce potable water use for building sewage conveyance

Why Harvest Water?  Property Tax Exemption For commercial installations of water conserving equipment (TWDB, 2005). For commercial installations of water conserving equipment (TWDB, 2005).  Municipal Incentives (residential) Austin Austin San Antonio San Antonio

Why Harvest Water?  Texas House Bill 4 (80 th legislative session) As of Sept. 01, 2009 all new state buildings are required to have on-site reclaimed system technologies, including rainwater harvesting, condensate collection, or cooling tower blow down, or a combination there of, for nonpotable indoor use and landscape watering. As of Sept. 01, 2009 all new state buildings are required to have on-site reclaimed system technologies, including rainwater harvesting, condensate collection, or cooling tower blow down, or a combination there of, for nonpotable indoor use and landscape watering. Administered by SECO (State Energy Conservation Office) Administered by SECO (State Energy Conservation Office)

Sources of Water for Reuse  Gray water Waste water discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers and laundry trays (IPC 2006). Waste water discharged from lavatories, bathtubs, showers, clothes washers and laundry trays (IPC 2006).  Reclaimed Water Water that, as a result of tertiary treatment of domestic wastewater by a public agency, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur (UPC 2006). Water that, as a result of tertiary treatment of domestic wastewater by a public agency, is suitable for a direct beneficial use or a controlled use that would not otherwise occur (UPC 2006).  Harvested Rainwater Collected rainwater from a roof, driveway, other hard surface. HVAC condensate can be included with a rainwater harvesting system. Collected rainwater from a roof, driveway, other hard surface. HVAC condensate can be included with a rainwater harvesting system.

Applicable Codes  International Plumbing Code (Appendix C)  Uniform Plumbing Code (Chapter 16) **Must Confirm with Authority Having Jurisdiction**

System Components  Collection Vault / Tank  Filtration  Pump  Expansion Tank  Disinfection  Piping  Acid Neutralizer  Dye Injectors  Back Flow Preventer Disclaimer The use of brand name products in this presentation does not indicate an endorsement by Shah Smith & Associates, Inc.

Typical System Flow Diagram Fully Engineered SystemsFully Engineered Systems OR OR Packaged SystemsPackaged Systems

Underground Tanks

Aboveground Tanks

Underground Liner Vaults

Pumps

Filtration  Automatic Self- Cleaning Filter  Cartridge Filter

Disinfection Germicidal UV Light Chlorine Injection

UV Disinfection  Advantages Effective against viruses, spores, and cysts Effective against viruses, spores, and cysts Physical process Physical process No residual affects No residual affects Short contact time Short contact time Small space requirement Small space requirement  Disadvantages Dosage is not precise Dosage is not precise Organisms can repair themselves Organisms can repair themselves Preventative maintenance required Preventative maintenance required High turbidity can reduce effectiveness High turbidity can reduce effectiveness

Chlorine Disinfection  Advantages Effective against pathogens Effective against pathogens Well-established technology Well-established technology Cost effective Cost effective Residual continues to disinfect Residual continues to disinfect Accurate dosing control Accurate dosing control Eliminates odors Eliminates odors  Disadvantages Harmful to aquatic life Harmful to aquatic life Handling of toxic and corrosive material Handling of toxic and corrosive material Long-term environmental effects unknown Long-term environmental effects unknown Some parasitic species are chlorine resistant Some parasitic species are chlorine resistant

Piping and Signage According to UPC 2006, signs must be provided in: Restrooms, Equipment rooms, Valve access doors, Valve seals, Piping, Storage Tanks

Dye Injector

Backflow Preventer  TWDB recommends a reduced pressure zone back flow preventer on any domestic water backup.

Cross-Connection Test  A cross-connection test must be performed in the presence of the Authority Having Jurisdiction.  Used to insure no cross-contamination exist between the potable water system and the nonpotable water system.

Guideline Resource pdf

Acknowledgments and Works Cited  Clemes, Roger W. Company: Bob J. Johnson & Assoc., Inc. Luis A Rivera. 11 June  International Plumbing Code. International Code Council, Inc.,  LEED Ref. Guide of Green Building Design and Construction. U.S. Green Building Council,  Puente, Robert. Texas House Bill #  Rainwater Harvesting Potential and Guidelines for Texas. Austin: Texas Water Development Board,  The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting. Austin: Texas Water Development Board,  Uniform Plumbing Code. International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials,  Wastewater technology Fact Sheet: Chlorine Disinfection. Washington, D.C.: US Environmental Protection Agency,  Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ultraviolet Disinfection. Washington, D.C.: US Environmental Protection Agency, 1999.