Water Conservation Systems

8/2/2019 Water Conservation Systems

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Building Codes division

OregOn smart guide

Water Conservation systems

Building Codes Division


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Our MissiOn

Working with Oregonians to ensuresae building construction whilesupporting a positive business climate.


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O r e o n s m a r t g u i e

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Facts abOut wastewater reusein OregOn

Water conservation systems collect wastewater rom bathtubs, showers,bathroom sinks, and washing machines or reuse. This wastewater isalso reerred to as gray water because o the slight gray color causedby suspended solids and soap. In contrast, wastewater rom the toilet isoten reerred to as black water because it will become very dark incolor as it becomes septic. Gray water will turn into black water within24 hours i it is stored and not properly treated. Oregon law does not

currently allow wastewater rom kitchen sinks and dishwashers, whichmay contain high amounts o salts, ats, oils, grease, ood particles, andcorrosive detergents, to be used in water conservation systems.

Because o the eorts in Oregon to conserve water both now andor the uture, the Oregon Building Codes Division has approved thereuse o wastewater or gray water or ushing toilets as an alternatemethod to the state plumbing code. Oregons alternate method orwater conservation systems ocuses on manuactured, o-the-sheland pre-designed systems. You can fnd inormation about the waterconservation system statewide alternate method or ushing toilets inhomes and commercial buildings at www.bcd.oregon.gov.


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b u i l i n c o e d i v i i o n

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things tO cOnsider

The average person in the United States uses approximately 50 gallonso potable water a day. Installing low-volume plumbing fxtures and awater conservation system can reduce potable water consumption byalmost one-third.

AverAge dOMestic wAter use:

Figure 1 shows a basic water conservation or gray-water reuse system.This example shows how wastewater rom the shower, bathtub,washing machine, and bathroom sink is collected and drained into aholding or storage tank, where it is fltered and disinected. The treatedwater is then pumped to supply the toilets with water or ushing.This particular system uses ultraviolet light to disinect the fltered graywater. Wastewater rom the toilet and kitchen sink are connected tothe building drain, which connects to the municipal sewer or individualseptic system.

A clean water-supply line may be provided or cleaning and fllingthe service water tank in the event there is not enough wastewateravailable. Potable water connections must have appropriate backowprotection. I the tank receives too much wastewater, the excess isdrained to the sewer drain through a bypass overow.

Shower and bath 35%

Toilet ushing 30%

Laundry 20%

Kitchen and drinking 10%

General cleaning 5%


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F 1.

Basicgray-waterreusesystem


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F 2.

sizing yOur systeM

Water conservation or gray-water systems range in size rom smallones that supply water to a single toilet within a home, to largeones that supply water to all o the toilets in a commercial building.Figure 2 shows a typical residential wastewater reuse system. It isdesigned to use wastewater rom the bathroom sink to supply ushwater or a single toilet. Many o these single toilet systems are available

as pre-designed units or kits that a homeowner can install ater gettinga permit.

Since ushing toilets uses about 30 percent o a households wastewaterstream, water conservation systems only need to recover about 30percent o the wastewater produced. I you require more water or

ushing toilets, the potable water system will be used to make up thedierence or example, i you have several visitors in your home andneed more water or toilet ushing than bathing and clothes washing.

Alternatively, any additional water supply could be provided by storedrainwater, saving the potable water supply or other uses. I yougenerate more wastewater than you need to ush toilets, the systemwill automatically drain the excess to the building sewer through anoverow pipe.


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F 3.

Because you only need to recover about 30 percent o the wastewaterstream to ush toilets, it may be unnecessary to recover wastewaterrom all o your plumbing fxture drains. You may only want to use theleast-contaminated wastewater available such as shower and bathingwater. Laundry rinse water is the next best water or reuse. However,laundry rinse water may contain lint that can clog flters in your system.Likewise, lavatory or bathroom sink water may contain hair, toothpaste,and other debris that will need to be fltered out. Some wastewaterrecycling systems do not recommend using bathroom sink water asvery little water is drained rom bathroom sinks in comparison to otherplumbing fxtures.


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shOpping fOr yOur systeM

A variety o water conservation or gray-water reuse systems have beenapproved or sale in the United States. Currently, both the InternationalAssociation o Plumbing and Mechanical Ofcials (IAPMO) andCanadian Standards Association (CSA) International have set productstandards or water conservation systems. An American NationalStandards Institute (ANSI) accredited product-listing agency must listany water conservation systems installed in Oregon. You may want toconsult with a plumbing contractor on what type o system is best or

your needs.

instAlling yOur systeM

Even though buildings can be retroftted with a water conservationsystem, incorporating these systems into new construction is easierand cheaper.

In Oregon, installing wastewater recycling and treatment systems in

new or existing homes requires a plumbing permit. Ater you get yourpermit, you should ollow the manuacturers instructions or installingyour system. I you need more inormation on general piping, pipingprotection and support, proper alignment, fttings, and generalplumbing system regulations consult the 2008 Oregon PlumbingSpecialty Code, which is available online at www.bcd.oregon.gov.

MAintAining yOur systeM

Taking care o a wastewater recycling system is similar to maintaininga swimming pool or whirlpool spa. Reer to your manuacturersoperating instructions, as each wastewater recycling system hasmaintenance requirements. Wastewater can contain pathogens, viruses,and parasites, as well as oils, ats, salts, and residue rom cleaning,personal care, and pharmaceutical products. Exposure to thesematerials can pose health risks and environmental problems.

It is important to think about what goes down the drain when youhave a recycling system. For instance, soap residue in wastewater canbuild up in the toilet tank and will need to be removed. Use soaps andcleansers that the manuacturer o the wastewater system has approvedto ensure optimal unctioning. In addition, lint rom laundry water mayrequire you to clean your systems flters more oten. Adding a flter atthe washer discharge may be a good solution or some systems.


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Follow the disinection process recommended by the manuacturer othe wastewater treatment system you install. Untreated wastewater

should never be stored or more than 24 hours as it will become septic.I you are not able to maintain disinection o the wastewater, dischargeit into the sewer system.

Filters typically should be cleaned every two to three weeks, but therequency o cleaning will depend on the type o flter used as wellas what goes down the drain. Always wear gloves and avoid contactwith wastewater when cleaning flters. Because wastewater may

contain pathogens, some flters may require additional cleaning ina disinectant.

Many systems need a regular charge o a chemical agent such aschlorine or bromine. Follow the manuacturers operating instructions.Pumps and controls may also require service.

All systems require ushing the holding tank two or three times a year.To ush the tank, the wastewater system needs to be taken oine. I

the system serves several drains in the building, the drains will haveto be put out o service or a by-pass to the sewer opened. The waterin the tank will need to be drained to the sewer and ushed. Alwaysollow the manuacturers operation instructions.

To ensure optimal unction o your gray-water system ollow a regularmaintenance schedule and be conscious o what goes down the drain.

For more information on water conservation systems, contact the

chief plumbing inspector for the State of Oregon at 503-373-7488.

Dont orget your plumbing permits. Learn more by going towww.permitsprotect.ino.


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Department of Consumer & Business ServicesBuilding Codes Division1535 Edgewater St. NWP.O. Box 14470Salem, OR 97309-0404503-378-4133www.bcd.oregon.gov

440-0990 (5/09/COM)
http://www.dfcs.oregon.gov/http://www.dfcs.oregon.gov/http://www.dfcs.oregon.gov/

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