CA greywater (and rainwater) code at stake!
California Greywater (and Rainwater) Code at Stake!
Your help is needed!
A new state proposal is set to adopt more a restrictive code which will move California backward and prevent more widespread use of rainwater and greywater. This proposed code covers residential and commercial applications.
As part of a triennial code adoption process the recent (2009) California greywater code is being thrown out and replaced with a more restrictive and cumbersome code. This new proposed code also includes rainwater- with overly stringent requirements- which would make many back yard rain barrel and cistern systems illegal.
Even if you don't live in California your voice is needed. This proposed code is part of the "Universal Plumbing Code" which is adopted by many states in the US. If California rejects the stringent components it can help other states do the same.
For a more sustainable water future for California we need to change this proposed code! Please send comments (example letter below) and forward this widely.
Send to:
Shawn Huff (from Department of Housing and Community Development) email: shuff@hcd.ca.gov
Enrique Rodriguez (from Building Standards Commission) email: enrique.rodriguez@dgs.ca.gov
Governor Jerry Brown: http://gov.ca.gov/m_contact.php
Your assembly person and/or state senator
Dear Mr. Huff and Mr. Rodriguez,
I am concerned about the proposed adoption of Chapter 16 of the Uniform Plumbing Code for California. I believe we need a code that will encourage and support water reuse so we can protect California's water resources and reduce our consumption of fresh water supplies.
I want California to support low cost, safe and legal systems. Please do not adopt the proposed code until it has been changed so it can benefit, not harm our water future.
I urge you to make the following changes to the code:
1) Restore any text present in the current greywater code that is missing in the proposed code.
2) Don't include more restrictive and prohibitive language in the new code for greywater systems.
3) Allow for simple and legal back yard rainwater harvesting systems including gravity fed rainwater irrigation systems with no permit and no treatment of the water (i.e. chlorine)
4) Greatly increase the size of rainwater storage that doesn't require a permit. Other states allow safe types of cisterns up to 5,000 gallons with no permit. The proposed 360 gallons is much too small, that is only the size of 7 rain barrels.
Thank you for your prompt attention to these issues.
(your name)
Other things to include:
- If you have greywater or rainwater systems in your home
- If this could affect your business
- Other local water issues that make this an important issue
If you are able to attend a March 7th stakeholders meeting in Sacramento about this please see the details below.
Download the draft proposal here.
California Plumbing Code Chapter 16 for graywater and rainwater – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location at HCD headquarters in Sacramento
