Rainwater Harvesting Guidelines Considered

Changes to Georgia's water policy could mean rainwater may become popular for use in toilets.

The changes haven't been made final, but water conservation advocates are hopeful Georgia's Department of Community Affairs will approve a unified code for rainwater harvesting.

That water, collected from roof tops and other receptacles during rainstorms, could then be used in toilets or for watering plants, among other applications.

Unifying the code would make collecting rain a bit more difficult than just setting up a rain bucket outside. Harvesting requires an investment in equipment, including pumps, filters and hoses, says Dan Young.

Young works for Aqua irrigation based in Marietta.

"Typically on a homeowners rainwater harvesting system, you're looking at spending anywhere from 8,000 dollars to anywhere from 75,000-100,000 dollars."

That high dollar figure is for fitting large homes and commercial properties. Young, along with a national trade group, says when Georgia changes their policies on harvesting, and creates best practice guidelines, the prices of the equipment and labor will fall in the state.

Young estimates the average home could reduce water usage by a third with the proper equipment.

The DCA is expected to issue their final draft rules by this summer.