ARCSA, the association that promotes sustainable rainwater harvesting practices, has announced the approval of ANSI standards for rainwater catchment.

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association together with the American Society of Plumbing Engineers has announced the approval of ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013, a jointly developed standard for rainwater catchment.

ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013 is designed to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government officials, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system using precipitation from rooftops and other hard, impervious surfaces.

The collected rainwater can be subsequently used for irrigation, laundry, hygiene, or even potable water applications if the appropriate treatment and materials have been certified for the specific end use. Existing NSF/ANSI standards covering roofing and collection system materials and treatment devices for potable water applications are referenced in the standard.

Originally published in 2007, ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013 went through an extensive revision and public review process using ASPE's ANSI-accredited standards development procedures to incorporate input from the construction, irrigation, water treatment, and public health industries.

A team of sustainable water system design experts, headed by E.W. Bob Boulware, PE, MBA, ARCSA AP, was tasked with vetting comments and proposed revisions to ensure that the standard met current industry and government regulations regarding reclaimed water use.

"ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63 grew out of the increasing awareness of a looming national shortage of water and the need to find alternative water sources," says Boulware. "I am proud to have been involved with ARCSA's contribution to this effort and am grateful to ASPE, NSF International, and IAPMO for helping make this an American National Standard."

To download a copy of ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013, click here.

For more information about rainwater catchment systems, please visit arcsa.org.

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