Chicago — NSF International, a global independent public health organization that writes standards and tests, and certifies products for the water, food, health sciences, and consumer goods industries, has signed an agreement to co-sponsor an American National Standard on rainwater catchment systems being developed by the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) and the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA). The sponsorship stems from a memorandum of understanding that ASPE and NSF International signed in May 2012 to advance and promote public health and sustainability initiatives within the plumbing industry. NSF International is joining the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) as co-sponsors of the standard.
ARCSA/ASPE 63: Rainwater Catchment Systems is already in existence and referenced in the IAPMO Green Plumbing and Mechanical Code Supplement (2012) and harmonized with the ANSI/IAPMO Uniform Plumbing Code (2012). ARCSA/ASPE 63 was opened for revision in October 2011 using the ASPE procedures accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the resulting standard will be submitted for approval as an American National Standard.
ARCSA/ASPE 63 is designed to assist engineers, designers, plumbers, builders/developers, local government, and end users in safely implementing a rainwater catchment system using precipitation from a rooftop and other hard, impervious surfaces. The major components of a rainwater catchment system includes the collection surfaces, transport components including piping and gutters, filtering systems, storage tanks and if necessary treatment devices. The rainwater water is subsequently used for irrigation, laundry, hygiene, or even potable water uses if treatment performance and materials have been certified for the appropriate end use application. Existing NSF/ANSI standards covering roofing and collection system material as well as treatment devices for potable water applications are referenced in ARCSA/ASPE 63. In addition, ASPE and ARCSA are represented on NSF committees currently working on harmonizing ANSI/NSF Standards with ARCSA/ASPE 63.
“I am extremely pleased that NSF International has joined IAPMO as a co-sponsor of this important American National Standard,” says Jim Kendzel, Executive Director/CEO at ASPE. “Rainwater catchment systems are an important alternate source of water, and a quality design standard is critical to ensure public health and safety. Collaboration and cooperation are key components to a successful national standards strategy and ASPE and ARCSA are grateful to both IAPMO and NSF International for embracing this collaborative effort.”
David Crawford, President of ARCSA states, “ARCSA welcomes NSF International to our team effort to promote Rainwater Harvesting. With the addition of NSF International our team becomes stronger in our effort to ensure proper design and installation. This addition also helps ensure the positive long-term effects of rainwater harvesting to save and preserve our water resources. Welcome NSF.”
“NSF has been testing and certifying water and plumbing products for the past 50 years and is honored to support the new rainwater catchment standard to further protect public health. The proposed American National Standard on rainwater catchment systems complements NSF’s Rainwater Catchment System Testing Program that helps ensure products such as gutters, roofing materials, and coatings, do not pass on unsafe levels of contaminants when used in potable water applications,” says Nasrin Kashefi, General Manager of Plumbing at NSF, who led the development of the American National Standards for all materials and products that treat or come in contact with drinking water.
Under the agreement, ASPE and ARCSA will be responsible for maintaining the standard utilizing the consensus process defined in the ASPE Standards Development Procedures and the ANSI Essential Requirements for the Development of American National Standards. In return for its sponsorship, NSF International and IAPMO will receive recognition in the published standard and will provide representatives to serve on the ASPE Main Standards Committee. NSF International also will assist ASPE and ARCSA during public review by publicizing the draft standard to their membership.
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