Summary of Virginia’s Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse
This page is part of the EPA’s REUSExplorer tool, which summarizes the different state level regulations or guidelines for water reuse for a variety of sources and end-uses.
The source water for this summary is Rainwater Collected Onsite.
- Technical basis
- Types of onsite non-potable water reuse approved for use in Virginia
- Water reuse category/type
- Additional context and definitions
- Onsite non-potable reuse specifications (table)
- Upcoming state law or policy
- References
- Disclaimer
This page is a summary of the state’s water reuse law or policy and is provided for informational purposes only. Please always refer to the state for the most accurate and updated information.
In Virginia, onsite non-potable water reuse The use of treated onsite collected waters for non-potable purposes at the single-building or district scale. This reuse application excludes the use of recycled water from a centralized treatment and distribution system for landscape irrigation or commercial uses. applications include toilets, urinals, mechanical equipment, vehicle washing, lawn maintenance and service sinks. The source of water ( rainwater collected onsite Precipitation collected at the district or regional scale is classified separately under 'stormwater.' ) is specified by the state as rainwater. The write-up uses state terms when discussing sources or uses of water that may differ from the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer's (REUSExplorer's) terms.
Technical basis
Virginia approves the use of harvested rainwater for onsite non-potable water reuse applications, including toilets and urinals, mechanical equipment, hose connections, vehicle washing, lawn maintenance and service sinks (Va. Code Ann. § 13.5-63-320). All applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.), including its implementing regulations, must be met in addition to any state water quality standards. Rainwater collected for onsite non-potable water reuse must be produced and utilized by a facility that is permitted through a Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit or General Virginia Pollution Abatement permit (Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-248.2). Treatment requirements and performance standards are applied for the removal of debris and chemicals related to onsite non-potable water reuse and are summarized in the table (VPC, 2018). The technical basis for developing the specifications and/or removal of debris and chemicals is not explicitly specified.
Types of onsite non-potable water reuse applications approved for use in Virginia
The Virginia Plumbing Code (VPC, 2018) defines the following specific onsite non-potable water reuse applications for treated rainwater from rainwater collection and distribution systems:
- Toilets and urinals
- Mechanical equipment
- Hose connections not connected to potable water
- Vehicle washing
- Lawn maintenance
- Service sinks
Additional onsite non-potable water reuse applications for treated rainwater from rainwater collection and distribution systems are not specified.
Water reuse treatment category/type
Virginia does not assign harvested rainwater used for onsite non-potable water reuse to a category or class but specifies that each application of rainwater reuse must meet minimum water quality requirements in the VPC (2018) unless otherwise superseded by other state agencies.
Specific treatment requirements are provided for harvested non-potable rainwater; however, these requirements are not specific to the use of harvested rainwater for onsite non-potable water reuse applications unless explicitly stated. Briefly, these treatment requirements include:
- Filtration: All rainwater collection and distribution system downspouts, conductors and leaders must be connected to a pre-tank filtration device that excludes materials larger than 0.015 inches (0.4 millimeters) and installed with proper design for clean-out. Collected rainwater must be further filtered as required for the intended end use (VPC, 2018). Specifically, non-potable water utilized for water closet and urinal flushing must be filtered by a 100-micron or finer filter (VPC, 2018). All filtration devices must have a mechanism to indicate servicing or replacement as well as be installed with shutoff valve immediately upstream and downstream to allow for maintenance (VPC, 2018).
- Disinfection: Harvested rainwater must be disinfected as necessary to meet water quality requirements specific for the intended onsite water reuse application, including those provided in the table (VPC, 2018).
Additional context and definitions
In Virginia, collection of rainwater should be limited to above-ground impervious roofing services. Collection surface, roof gutters and downspouts must be constructed from approved materials to meet the water quality for the desired end use (VPC, 2018). The collection surface must not receive overflow or discharge from onsite appliances or equipment. Downspouts, conductors and leaders must be connected to a pre-tank filtration device that excludes materials larger than 0.015 inches (0.4 millimeters) from entering the storage tank (VPC, 2018). Roof gutters, downspouts, leaders and rainwater collection piping must have a continuous slope toward collection inlets. Gutters and downspouts require a slope ≥ 1 unit in 96 units and do not permit pooling of water at any point along the slope (VPC, 2018). Roof gutters and downspouts must be sized based on local rainfall rates and flow rates from the roof surface (VPC, 2018). Cleanouts must be provided in the rainwater collection system to allow access to all filters, flushes, pipes and downspouts (VPC, 2018).
Non-potable water systems shall be protected to prevent the entrance of insects and vermin into storage and piping systems. Screen materials shall be compatible with system material and shall not promote corrosion of system components (VPC, 2018).
Non-potable water storage tanks must be approved for the intended applications and be constructed of materials compatible with installed treatment systems, as to meet water quality for the desired end use (VPC 2018). Above grade water storage tanks should be constructed of opaque, UV-resistant materials and protected from direct sunlight unless design incorporates use of the sunlight heat transfer (VPC, 2018). All non-potable water storage tank must be made identifiable at all access points with signage “CAUTION: NONPOTABLE WATER – DO NOT DRINK.” Where opening is provided that could allow human entry, signage must be marked with the words “DANGER – CONFINED SPACE.”
Onsite non-potable water reuse specifications
Summary of Virginia's Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse Specifications
| Recycled Water Class/Category | Source Water Type | Water Quality Parameter | Specification | Sampling/Monitoring Requirements (Frequency of monitoring; site/ location of sample; quantification methods)* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onsite non-potable water reuse (Water closet and urinal flushing) | Rainwater | Chloramine or free chlorine | ≤ 4 ppm (4 mg/L) | Tested in accordance with ASTM D1253-14 | |
| Ozone | 0.1 ppm (by volume) at point of use | Not specified | |||
| Debris | ≤ 0.015 inches (0.4 mm) | Not specified | |||
Source = VPC (2018)
* Information about sampling and monitoring requirements such as frequency, site and quantification methods not specifically listed in the table was not explicitly specified in the state-specific regulations.
Upcoming state law or policy
No upcoming onsite non-potable water reuse regulations related to rainwater were found for Virginia.
References:
Chapter 29 Plumbing Systems, Va. Code Ann. § 13.5-63-320.
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.
Use of rainwater and reuse of gray water; regulations, Va. Code Ann. § 32.1-248.2.
Virginia Plumbing Code (VPC). 2018.
Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if this state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on the news page.