Joint ARCSA/ASPE rainwater standard receives ANSI approval

Nov. 25, 2013
Standard designed to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government officials, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system Originally published in 2007, ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013 went through an extensive revision and public review process ASPE will be hosting a stakeholder meeting in early 2014 to review future strategies for addressing rainwater and stormwater catchment system design

CHICAGO — The American Society of Plumbing Engineers announced that ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013: Rainwater Catchment Systems was approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on Nov. 14, 2013.

Jointly developed by ASPE and the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and co-sponsored by the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials and NSF International, 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, P.E., 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,” said 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.”

“The industry collaboration on this effort is what I am most proud of,” said Jim Kendzel, MPH, CAE, Executive Director/CEO of ASPE. “ASPE is committed to a collaborative process since this method best serves the plumbing community and ASPE’s membership. We are following this principle in the follow-up standard that is currently under development, ARCSA/ASPE 78: Stormwater Harvesting System Design for Direct and Indirect End-Use Applications.”

ASPE will be hosting a stakeholder meeting in early 2014 to review future strategies for addressing rainwater and stormwater catchment system design, as well as to discuss the recently formed U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO Technical Committee 282 for Water Reuse, of which ASPE is the administrator. Kendzel will be attending the first meeting of ISO/TC 282 being held in Singapore in January 2014 and will be reporting the results during the stakeholder meeting. Anyone interested in participating in this stakeholder event should contact ASPE Director of Standards and Publications Gretchen Pienta at [email protected].

To purchase ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013, visit ASPE's online store at ASPE.org.

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