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<br />Rainwater Harvesting Policy <br /> <br />educational videos, brochures, public radio & TV programs, etc at very low <br />cost. <br />· Provide economic & other incentives to design & build new appropriate technology that <br />supports RWH & stormwater management to further the Mayor's Sustainable Business <br />Initiative. <br />· Provide economic incentives. Eliminate City of Eugene Stormwater fees for those using <br />rainwater harvesting (this would win you big points & goodwill). <br />· Leverage existing information: collaboration opportunities <br />o Collaborate & align goals with Department of Health drinking water standards. <br />o Collaborate with current rainwater harvesting studies such as the EWEB <br />Rainwater Catchment Pilot Project that includes quantitative & qualitative data to <br />test the feasibility of RWH. Useful datainc1udes rainwater quality testing (like E. <br />Coli), while the qualitative study outlines eight systems that have been studied for <br />2 years. With approval, this info may be used for educational purposes also. <br />· Benefits of these strategies include: increased water security, community self-reliance, <br />improved water quality, conservation of purified drinking water & flow control. A <br />multiplier effect of the benefits will greatly enhance the commonwealth (e.g. If 10% of the <br />population used a 3,000 gallon system once a year, the cumulative water conservation would <br />be 45 million gallons!) <br />· Prepare for the future of alternative water sources. Include guidance on how to safely use <br />creek water or greywater for irrigation for example. Filtration appropriate to use covers the <br />water quality & safety requirements of using such water. <br /> <br />Specific Improvements to Eugene & Portland Rainwater Code <br />Needed <br /> <br />· Policy as proposed is restrictive & unnecessary. Specific examples follow: <br />o Delete roof washer & fIrst flush requirement. Add filtration & purification <br />appropriate for use. A wide variety of fIltration & purification methods & <br />products are available to achieve appropriate quality. One design for a roof <br />washer is not appropriate for all situations. <br />o Delete continuous leaf screen requirements (p. 5) that are unnecessary, expensive <br />& proven less effective than other screening methods. Appropriate fIltration <br />guidelines will suffIce. <br />o Suggest shade. Delete "sun barrier" requirement (p. 4, 7). Requiring a "structure <br />erected specifIcally to shelter a cistern" is unnecessary, expensive, elitist & <br />unsustainable. Shade should be suggested, but foliage is certainly adequate. <br />. Delete "reclaimed" (p. 4). Rainwater is a primary water source like ground & surface water. <br />It should not be characterized as "reclaimed" water that has been used once & claimed to be <br />used again. Elimination of the term will avoid inappropriate rules that are applied to <br />reclaimed water by the DEQ, water utilities, & other agencies. <br />. One permit. Three separate plumbing, building & electric permit requirements should be <br />streamlined. One permit for indoor use of rainwater should be created instead. An inspector <br />with experience in RWH should be required. <br />· Allow all types & scales of rainwater harvesting. Non-residential, multi-family, <br />commercial, industrial & community rainwater harvesting will provide great community <br /> <br />Tammie Stark, M.A. @ <br /> <br />Page 3 of 8 <br /> <br />5/3/2006 11:53:57 AM <br />