March 17, 2014—After two years of planning, The International Code Council (ICC) and the CSA Group have announced the start of a project to develop a new standard to ensure the basic safety and performance of rainwater collection systems.
The newly appointed U.S./Canadian ICC/CSA Rainwater Collection Design and Installation Consensus Committee will create the CSA/ICC 805 Rainwater Collection System Design and Installation standard in accordance with both American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Council of Canada accreditation requirements, for use throughout North America.
ICC’s International Green Construction Code (IgCC) addresses rainwater harvesting and is used as the basis for an appendix in other codes. The groundbreaking revision to ICC’s 2015 International Plumbing Code (IPC) contains comprehensive, non-potable water provisions in a new chapter covering rainwater, gray water and reclaimed water.
CSA Group has embarked on a number of related standards projects, including CSA B126 Series-13—Water Cisterns. This joins the CSA B128.3-12—Performance of Non-Potable Water Reuse systems standard, which specifies water systems requirements for treating gray water or waste water for reuse in other applications.
“Developing standards solutions for more sustainable homes and buildings across Canada and the United States is an essential element toward a more sustainable future,” said Bonnie Rose, President, Standards, CSA Group. “Rainwater collection systems that are designed and installed properly according to this joint, multinational standard will help ensure that people are protected from health hazards that could arise from substandard systems.”
“This standard is especially important for regions that experience water shortages, and stormwater management and water quality issues,” said Code Council Board of Directors President Stephen Jones, CBO. “Many jurisdictions are seeking an industry standard to help them develop guidelines that work with their existing building codes.”
