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<br />Rainwater Harvesting Policy <br /> <br />Because water picks up contaminants that can cause illness or even death, publie health is a <br />concern. The Texas Guide provides a sensible approach: <br /> <br />if the rainwater is intended for use inside the household, ... appropriate filtration <br />and disinfection practices should be employed. If the rainwater is to be used <br />outside for landscape irrigation, .... treatment requirements can be less stringent <br />or not required at all. <br /> <br />What is Rainwater Harvesting? <br /> <br />The collection, storage & use of rain is rainwater harvesting (RWH). RWH from roofs & other <br />hard surfaces has commonly been used around the world for centuries. Rainwater harvesting <br />systems can be used as a stormwater mitigation tool since the systems can achieve stormwater <br />management goals. Some of those goals include reducing contaminants, decreasing water <br />velocity, maintaining low water temperature, decreasing flood risk & increasing water <br />infiltration to recharge aquifers. Decreased water quality from stormwater contaminants has <br />become so large an issue, that stormwater management plans have been federally mandated. <br />RWH can help. <br /> <br />Policy & Policy Support Suggestions <br /> <br />The following policy & education suggestions are low cost or free, realistic, achievable & <br />provide measurable results. <br />· Outcome based policy. Outcome based policy fosters innovation while achieving goals. <br />This policy is restrictive & unnecessary. An example of outcome based policy: "In potable <br />RWH systems; total coliform or E. Coli should be tested & absent." <br />· Policy must be user friendly, easy to read, understand & implement. Water insecurity <br />affects low-income, minority & less educated citizens more than others. Lack of <br />opportunities must not equate to lack of water. <br />· Create reward system rather than punitive policy. It is human nature to respond more <br />favorably to rewards than punishment. Rewards may include free education opportunities, <br />economic incentives, free testing. <br />· Ensure public health by providing free or low cost water quality testing for potable RWH <br />system owners. <br />· Leverage existing guidance & educational materials. Providing how-to information will <br />ensure that code is followed. Possibilities include: <br />o Provide free how-to assistance in designing, building & maintaining RWH <br />systems (like "Design & Maintenance of Rainwater Harvesting Systems" below). <br />Other education materials may include hands-on workshops, literature, video & <br />other outreach methods. <br />o Demonstration RWH systems for experiential public education. (Use the <br />existing Lce demo system.) <br />o Support existing education programs at EWEB & LCC to reach a larger <br />audience at lower cost to deliver education. (Like the LeC RWH DesignlBuild <br />Workshop or the Water & Society class.) These classes could be used to create <br /> <br />Tammie Stark, M.A. @ <br /> <br />Page 2 of 8 <br /> <br />5/3/200611:53:57 AM <br />