‘BSB Cirenlar No.2 of 2010 Revised Design Guideline for Rainwater Reeveling Installation The design guideline for rainwater recyling insulation was fist issued for project office's reference in October 2008 under the BSB Circular No. 13 of 208. 2 In response fo the latest agreement with WSD on certtn design and operstion practices, a revised design guideline fr te insallaion has been prepared, The revised ‘guideline provides more information on design, operation and maintenance requirements ‘eating tothe rainwater recycling installation. 3 ‘The design guideline hasbeen uploeded onto the intranet andthe hardcopy is kept ‘in BSB's brary for information and reference. WU Y-chung ) Controller Plumbing and Drainage Specialist Support Group maDesign Guideline for Rainwater Recycling Installation (Rev.1) Prepared by: Plumbing and Drainage Specialist Support Group, Architectural Servies Department ‘The Government of HKSAR Eats vata cpa anPage 4. Intedtion 3 2 Applicaton f Rainwater Reyling 2 21" Bacgund > 22 Ciera Ps Aplin 3 2. sytem Design ‘ BI Cant ‘ 32 Raver Coleston Tink 6 33. Rainwater eet Pat 2 34 Ming Tak f 35 Dibatn Pwo f 36 Pope Stam Schama n 4. wer Quatty Mentoring u S._Tapeton ahd Maine 2 Raters 8 eat wy SE a a ContentIntroduction ‘This design guideline for rainwater recycling installation (Revision 1) is developed based on the former design guideline published in BSB Circular No.13 of 2008. In this revision, the design of rainwater collection and weaiment system is futher elaborsted Dased on practical projet experiences and comments received, The more detailed aurangemeats of pipework, waming notices and identifications for preventing misuse of reoyeled rainwater are also introduced. Basic maintenance requirements including inspection, cleaning and water quality monitoring are laid down for reference. However, it should be noted that a consultancy stdy on health risk assessment of rainwater eying installation is underway. Further information or requirements may beaded in the future revision. 2 Applications of Rainwater Recycling 21 Background Rainwater recycling is one of the sustainable features in building design. Proper use of recycled rainwater helps to reduce consumption of fresh water resources a6 ‘well as reducing storm water impact. The use of reeyeled rainwater is quite ‘common in many countries. Some countries use recycled rainwater as source of drinking water in domestic and municipal level but majority of countries use eoyced rainwater for non-potable purposes, In Hong Kong, the potential applications of recycled rainwater for non-potable use may include: (®) Toilet fushing (©) mignon (©) Floor cleansing © Vehicle washing (©) Cooling ower makeup 2.2 Ciiteri for Practice] Applicaton ‘The basic consideration for applicability of rainwater recycling instalation isthe ‘supply and demand of rainwater. The supply of reoyeled rainwater would depend air Ea a TS‘nthe catchment area available and the type of surface ofthe catchment area. The ‘demand of reeyeled rainwater would depend on the usages, such as landscape inigation, car washing, Boor cleansing, toilet Dushing evaporative cooling water ‘making up in airconditioning installation, ete, By fr, the most common usage of ‘eeycled rainwater in Hong Kong is fr landscape irrigation, As rough guide, pect adopting rainwater seeing system aplication for Inigaion soul ave « minimum cheat ae of Om end «minimum planted area of 40m or equivalent demand in considering the economic efetiveness Based on ArchSD's Technical Information Paper (TIP) (No.10I0S) "Landscape Inrigition Associated with Building Project, water supply point or automatic inigation system will only be provided for planted area larger than On. A ‘rainwater recycling installation can then be determined based on this minimum size fof planted area, However if there is reeyelod rainwater demand for other purposes in a project, the designer can make coresponding adjustment to estimate the demand and size the recycling plant. 3. System Design 34 Catchment Rainwater can be colleted fiom the roof surface of building or the open spices at {ground floor or poi, such as pavement, playground and football cour, ee, The surface within the property boundary where the rainwater can be collected without substantial loss of water through the bottom of the surface befor itis directed to ‘the storage tank sealed the catchment BLM. Selection of Catchment ‘Rainwater could be collected by catchment and flow into the rainwater storage tink by gravity, In the selection of catchment, the following should be considered in order to collect good quality rainwater: (8) Specie catchment snd its axsocinted down pipes should be designed {or the sole collection of rainwater for reveling, The diverting of sainwater fom conventional catchment isnot recommended, ed oo aa ae oe eaear ere ——————— (©) The seleciod catchment shouldbe away ftom fue ga exhaust outs of diesel generator or boiler. (©) The sclcied catchment shouldbe away ftom overflows or discharge pipes of roof mounted air-conditioning units such as evaporative aie conditioners o hot wate systems. (@ Catchment st roof is more suitable for rainwater collection than catchment at ground level, for which the chances of pollution by lnumanectivtes is relatively high. ‘Typical building projects which are Hikely to have adoquate and suitable catchment fr rainwater collection include (School — roof ofthe building or the playgrovnd: (©) Local open space roof of teileVchanging room or the playgrounds, (©) Oftiees building ~ roof or sky garden at mid level; (Indoor games hall ~ roof of he stena. Catchment and Roofing Materials Catchment and roof for the collection and diversion of rainwater may be constructed from a variety of materials such as cement of sol tls, galvanized ion, polycarbonate or fiberglass shest. All ofthese ae suitable for collection rainwater th tr gt [nt rt ny ars 8 eee ee See ‘non-toxic, the adding of color into the recycled rainwater is not preferable. ‘The project ofr shit check wit the sitet tt te Slowing paint nd contigs in ethno and eno table fr ranwater olson (8) Lead-basod paints Gineding primers) ~ concenration of lead in Paints have been substantially reduced in recent years, but care should be taken torenture that paints used are suitable for use in association with colleeing rainwater for human contact. (©) Acrylic pants it wil each dissolved chemical, including detergents, Inthe frst few run-ffs afte application and these run-off should not 1a STbe collected. (©) Bitumen-based msterals ~ they are generally not recommended as they may leach hazardous substances, 3.13. Gutter Shiciding Devices ‘The provision of guter siolding devices can substantially reduce the amount of lager size debris in the collected rainwater and is rocommended to instal, 314. First Flush Devices ‘There are many researches reveled that theft fish of rainwater ina nan ‘event washes thereof catchment and hence may consin higher than average ‘amounts of accamulted dus, bird and snimal droprings, leaves and other debris. Therefore installation of simple devices designed to reduce collection of accumulated debris is recommended. For an average roof catchment it i suggested that che est 20 t 25 lies rainwater could be iverted or discarded. First fash devices ae commercially available to peefom this take Wis noted that frst fash devices shouldbe regarded as an additional barier {to reduce contamination and should not be used to replace normal maintenance activities designed to keep roof catchments reasonably clean. 32. Rainwater Collection Tank Since rinfll is sporadic, collection tank is required to hold the rainwater collected forreserve use, The designer shall determine the capacity of he rainwater storage tank based on the selective catchment ares, usages of the reeled rainwater, building ature, availble space for installation and economic fhetor, etc. For ‘example, the capacity of storage tank could be designed for the use of two 2) ‘weeks cansumption, since rainfall record of Hong Kong ftom veer 2000 to 2007 indicated thatthe probability of having rainfall above SOmm in rainy season (May to August is about 2 days per month. Hence, itis assumed te storage tank could be fly filled twice per month during the rainy season. 321 Materials and Construction aay i aa ESE See Gs tar Hn yousRainwater collection tanks are available in @ range of sitble materials Including concrete and fiberglass. In general, rainwater tank shall be designed in accordance with WSD's Waterworks Drawings No. W1S43/5B, (ig. 15 in Handbook:on Plumbing Installation for Buildings, WSD), ‘Rainwater tanks should be designed in & manner that will minimize the ik ‘of contamination from industrial pollutants, dist, leaves, pollens, pesticide sprays frilizers, debris vermin, birds, small animals and insects. The tank should not be allowed to provide breading sits for mosquitoes. ‘Underground tanks roqute additions) protection against entry of surface run-off or groundwater, animal and soils. Those tanks neod tobe propery sealed and access points need (© be protected against ingress of surfece runoff. The maintenance and cleaning of underground tanks might be more difficult and therefore such design shouldbe prevented. ‘A waming label indicating “Caution -Non-dinking water, donot drink’ in English and */d» - JRARIEZK + BRPOARE in Chinese shall be provided and secured in a proper and conspicuous side ofthe wate tank. 32.2. Siding of Rsinwater Tak ‘To obtain an optimum sizeof rinwater storage tank, both demand and supply should bo properly matched. The usage and amount of reeled rainwater, the rainwater catchment area and the size of water storage teak should also be considered, An example showing sizing for a typical ‘sainwater recycling installation for iigation usage i given as below. Example; According tthe TIP No, 10/05, the recommended diy water consumption {in ivigation design is 7 livs/day/n* inigaion area. To use 40m" asthe bese and to assume a rainwater storage tank for 2-week consumption, the tank size would be: 17 (lies / per day!) x14 ays x 40 ms? ~ 3,920 lites (say 4,000 litres) Se ee $i [Beebe eeng aon vena erAssuming a drinage coefficient of 05 forthe catchment sree and collecting rainwater within a 2-week period during the rainy season, the minimum catchment area to meet the demand of 4,00 ites is Size of Storage Tank dies) Period (weak) x Average Ranfll per week x Drainage Coefficient 4,000 lives 2 weeks x 80mm x05 5 50m? ‘Therefore, the minimum catchment are shall be SO 323. Inlet Pipe Arrangement In designing the pipework, all sections of inlet pipes should be directed down and rainwater should flow into the high level of the rainwater ‘collection tank, The inchsion of rising sections will provide potential taps for sediments, biosllms and stagnant water and there should be voided. 3.24 Bypass and Overflow Arrangement Rainwater should be diverted to slorm water drain through by-pass avangement when the rainwater collection tank is fall. Overflow pipe ‘with cos sectional area larger than the inlet pipe hal be provided. 3:3. Rainwater Treatment Plant Although the risk of using recycled rainwater is low in compare with other reoyeling applications such as grey water reeyling, basic treatment before use of reyclod rainwater shouldbe provided. The objective ofthe reatnent sto ensure the recycled rainwater being used is acceptable in quality 334 Filtration Fiation is « common treatment process. used to remove particulate matter Big SE Bertoriot to disinfetion. A filtration system employing sctvatd carbon filter is recommended, Activate carbon is natural material derived ffom bituminous coal, ignite, ‘wood, coconut shell et, setivated by steam and other means, and each one has diferent adsorption properties (eg bituminous carbon for high chlorine reduction capacity). Itcan remove dissolved orginics from liquid streams ‘by adsorption. Typical uses include removal of chlorine, dissolved ‘organics, hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons in water treatment systems, a5 well as removal of scis in amine weatmeat systems ‘The fier cells shall be arrange so thatthe water stream passes uniformly and proportionally hough the activated carbon bois. Activated carbon granules shall be capable to remove 90% of all suspended paniculate ten-micro and larger with each passthrough the media, Filter media sell be cleanable and reused. The filter shall operate continuously to remove suspended particulate inside the recycled rainwater. The filter shall be ‘backwashed automatically upon reaching a differential pressure of pre-set value across the media bed or after 24 hours, whichever occu fst. 332. Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection f ‘UV is a physical disinfection agent forthe destruction of microorganisms. 1 ie froquntly used for wastewater treatment plants that discharge to surface waters to avoid the need for dechlorination prior to release ofthe ! cftluent. UV light system requires relatively ow maintenance and bas the advantage of not involving chemicals. Tis recommended tobe adopted in the rainwater teatment of the resycling insallaion from fimetional and economical point of view. ‘UY with wavelength shorter than 300 nanometers is exvemely effective in killing microorganisms. The most effective sterilizing range of UV is i within the C bandwidt (UVC - 253.7nm). This range i called germicidal [UW bandwidth or UVC. UVC has extremely low penetrating ability and oes not penetrate past the dead-cell layers ofthe skin, 333, Rainwater Pomp ae ae FSS GSE EEE ei ne rien tine ona eSIf pressure head atthe outlet of rainwater colleton tank gained by gravity is not adequate to compensate the pressure loss of pipeworks and rainwater ‘westment sysem for deliver the treated rainwater to the mixing tenk, ‘rinwater pump is required ‘The rainwater pump shall be sized and selected wi sufficient pressure head and flow rate to deliver collected rain water from the raiawater storage tank (o the mixing tank trough the rainwater teaument system. Also, the ‘minimum pressure head for proper operation of the treatment system shall be provided in ccordance to manufacturer's recommendation. 334 Alarm Monitoring System ‘Alarm system should be designed for rainwater treatment plant for ‘monitoring The minimum instrumentation should consist of slams for ctiical treament units including the activated carbon fiter and UV sterilizing lamp to alert operator of malfunction. 34° Mixing Tank ‘The primary function of mixing tank is t store the west rainwater snd as en interface between rainwater recycling system andthe mains water make-up supply, Similar to the rainwater collection tank, the mixing tank shall be designed in ‘accordance with WSD's Waterworks Drawings No. WIS@3ISB (Fig. (5 in Handbook on Plumbing Installation for Buildings, WSD). A warning label indicating “Caution - Non-dinking water, do not dink” in English and “vp - SERRE + HPDIGFR" in Chinese shall be provided and secured in @ ‘proper and conspicuous side of the mixing tank 2:5 Distribution Pipework tis recommended that pipe materials used in rainwater recyling installation to be stainless steel grade 316 to BS ENIOS12 Series 1 sndlor BS ENICP17-7 whatever applicable All pipes and fitings shall comply with Waterworks Regulations snd sideline sued by WSD. ‘The distribution pipework and outlet tings for use of recycled rainwater shall be a a i ESecigned to prevent improper use as potable water. All compononts of the rainwater reeyeling. system should be clearly and consistently ideaied. eatification should be through color coding, marking and waming pte, A special colour bands in puple colour for pipe identification shall be applied to water pipework after th mixing tank ‘Waming label indicating “Caution — Non-dinking water, do not drink” in English and “7a ~ JERE + BYSOERIH” in Chinese shal be provided and secured in « proper and conspicuous side of water supply outlet such a5 at irrigation water points. Distribution system may bein dusl pipe or combined pipe arrangement. In doal pipe distribution system, a dedicated pipework will be used solely for the Aisuibation of reeyeled rainwater, Such arrangement is commonly adopted for which the whole recycling system is tilly isolated from potable water supply system Under the current Waterworks ordinance, this design arrangement wil ‘regard as private source system and the agreement by the Water Authority isnot require. In combined pipe distibuton system, the pipework will distribute water fom sources of recycled rainwater andlor the make-up fom town mains. Such integrated design approach is more cost effective and sustainable beceuse there is po need to install two sets of distibutio pipeowork, Under this design rangement, the mixing tank and the distribution pipework will be reparded as inside seevce under Waterworks Ordinance end the upstream ofthe wil be teatod as private source 3.6 Proposed System Schematic ‘The proposed schematic of the rainwater recyling instalation is shown in Appendix 1 4. Water Quality Monitoring CCumenly, there is no established standard ar guidelines for the quality of recycled rainwater in Hong Kong, Observations for water quality could be made during copecation period for monitoring purpose in according to BS 8515:2009 ~ Rainwater SES ST Seon rn oe me veeHarvesting Systems Code of Prctce ‘According t0 1BS8515:2009, dip sample from the rainweter collection tank snd mixing tank as well as samples ffom points of use like terminal fittings shall be taken for monitoring ‘The recommended parameters for monitoring neue: (8) Escherichia Col (number/100mL) (©) Legionella (aumberfive) (©) Tota Coliforms (oumber/100mL) (@) Suspended sold (mgfine) (©) Turbidity avTO) (9S days Biochemical Oxygen Demsnd, BODS (mg/its) (@) Residual chlorine (grit) om Monthly samples are recommended to collect. For any indication of existence of legionella, ECColi or total coliforms, the system shall be suspended immediately and ‘horoughly disinfected unl problem is solve, i Inspection and Maintenance und serach amply inden inal invatr ng stem can be minimized by preventive mainenasce. The objectives of malntenice ‘or rainweterrosycing installation are (8) Minimizing contamintion by harmfil microorganisms i () Preventing mosquito breeding i (©) Preveatng chemical contamination fiom on-site sources (©) Preventing impscts on eesthete quality Maintenance procedures and schedules for speial devises suchas activated earn fis nd UV sterling unit should be in:secardanee wits manufacturer's recommendstion. ‘The minimum inspection and maintemance'r:yuivements for rainwater reeyling instalation ae given in the flfowing table.Recommended Minimum Inspection and Maintenance Requirement ‘System Component_[ Inspection Maintenance Frequency “Gutters collection | Check tat hee are no leaks or blockages due | Monthly ccbannelMdownpipes | to buildup of debris; clean the gutersif necessary ‘Gott aiclding | Cheok the condition ofthe shielding devices wnd | Monthly devices clean if necessary First uch devices | Check the condition af the first Mush devices | Monthly and clean if necessary Rainwater collection | Check tht there are no leaks or build yp of | Monthy tank Mixing nk | dabrs. Desi down and clean if necestry, ‘Check tat if mosquitoes or other insets are | Monthly found, ‘Check that all mesh and ecoesspoinis are Monthly ropery sreened to prevent entry of mosquitoes orother insets ‘Drain down and cleaning Aamually ‘Reinwater weainent_| Check that there are no leaks oF comonion. Cary | Annually plant ‘out atestrun, ‘Check condition of activated carbon iter and | Annually check nutomstie backwash contol finetion ‘Clean and replace UV lamp if necessary ‘Annually istibuton ‘Check that there aren leaks and no damage | Annually pipework ‘Warning plates, | Cheok that warning notions sad pipework ‘Annually labels and identification are correctly in place idensitcations ‘Water Quality Collect water samples and cary out laboratory | Monthly tests. Maintain the reord of water quality. Reference: 1. BS 8515:2009, Rainwater Harvesting System — Code of Practice, BSL 2. Guidlines for Water Reuse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, September 2004 3, Guidance on Use of Rainwater Tanks, Australian Government 2004, ae SES Pa RST eT aS SSeS ro cee TeneKE i i ES _ 1 ‘i il (ae Xe FOR BNNWATER RECYCLING INSTALLATION eiene bafta SIS aac uu__ bf) 5 ann re Flo mae J SBEE EE) — nome