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<br />~ <br />~; 1,'/ I J <br />~,~~,. ~. <br />'u. · <br /> <br />Proposed Rainwater Harvesting Code in Eugene, OR <br /> <br />Top reasons to revise RWH Code before adoption June 8, 2006 <br /> <br />\ (. RWH code should encourage rather than discourage the use of rainwater through burdensome regulations. <br />2. More public input is needed. <br />3. A streamlined process that is easy to understand & implement is crucial. <br />4. Allow all nonpotable & potable (indoors or outdoors) u'ses. (Rainwater is safely used for all purposes globally now), <br />5. Recommend outcome based code (not prescriptive). . <br />6. Request that outdoor nonpotable rainwater uses do not require a permit. <br />7. . Ask that City Stormwater fees are decreased / eliminated if R WH system mitigates. <br />8. Request free educational materials. <br />9. Water is a right; barriers to harvesting rainwater should not be created. <br />10. Professional RWH & water folks are poised to create educational tools that will safely encourage the use of <br />rainwater in collaboration with City. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />Why rainwater is worthy of your attention. What RWH can do for community. <br /> <br />1. Rainwater harvesting (RWH) can defer or eliminate cost of increased drinking water capacity. <br />2. Rainwater is a good primary water source that can successfully supplement main water supply. <br />3. Eugene, Veneta & Creswell have already identified a need for more water (if 10% of our population used <br />3,000 gallon tanks once a year, we would save 45 million gallons of drinking water). <br />4. RWH can defer or eliminate the need for a stormwater treatment plant. <br />5. RWH is I can be a great part of the Mayor's Sustainable Business Initiative. <br />6. RWH can meet many stormwater management goals such as eliminating contaminants, decreasing water <br />velocity, maintaining low water temperature, decreasing flood risk & increasing water infiltration to <br />recharge aquifers. <br />7. The above benefits can assist riverine restoration (like Metro Waterways). <br />8. RWH provides an opportunity to create appropriate tech 'solutions to water needs (e.g. rather than plastic). <br />9. RWH can increase individual & community water security. <br />10. Rainwater has been safely used for all water uses globally for centuries (don't drink wlout filtration!). <br />11. RWH can mitigate some or all of the stormwater on a property. <br />12. RWH can be used to recharge aquifers through natural percolation. <br />13. Real homeland security = equal access to clean water, air & soil. <br /> <br />Reasons to attend May 8th Council Meeting (777 Pearl St, 7:30 pm, Council Chambers) & June 8th <br />Storniwater MgmtPlan meeting (858 Pearl St, Lyle Conf Room, 4:00 pm) <br />1. Lobby City to eliminate stormwater fees by using RWH. <br />2. Persuade Council that insufficient public input has been allowed regarding R WH code. <br />3. Prove to Council that professionals dealing with rainwater already have clients wanting to install RWH. <br />4. Show support for RWH as a sustainable supplementary water source. <br />5. Convince Council that we the public can be trusted to use rainwater safely. <br />6. Encourage Council to nurture RWH with incentives rather than implementing restrictive code. <br />7. Lobby for 1 permit rather than multiple. <br />8. Ensure equal access to an alternative water source. !Aqua es vida! <br /> <br />For a detailed RWH Design & Maintenance Guide request by writing tammie@eu2:enerainwater.com. Limited copies will be available <br />1ay 8th @ Council meeting. . <br /> <br />Tammie Stark, M.A. <br /> <br />Page 1 of2 <br /> <br />5/8/2006 <br />