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Purpose
Onsite Water Reuse Systems which collect rainwater, condensate water, stormwater, graywater, or foundation drain water for non-potable applications such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and cooling applications are regulated under Chapter 15-13 of City Code. These types of reuse systems require a permit from Austin Water to ensure they are designed and operated in a manner that makes efficient and safe use of the water.
Which Projects are Required to Install an Onsite Water Reuse System?
Effective April 1, 2024 Onsite Water Reuse Systems are required for new commercial, multi-family, and mixed use development projects with 250,000 square feet of gross floor area or more. Some projects are exempt from this requirement. Refer to the Onsite Water Reuse Program Guidebook for more info.
Onsite Water Reuse Systems are also required for commercial, multi-family, and mixed use development projects with new or replaced evaporative cooling towers.
The table below summarizes the alternative water sources that must be collected, and the non-potable end uses that must be provided for development projects required to install and operate an Onsite Water Reuse System per City Code Chapter 15-13.
Project Size |
Other Project Characteristics |
Required Sources |
Required Uses |
---|---|---|---|
250,000 sf or greater GFA |
Project has one or more commercial, multi-family, or mixed use buildings |
Combined AC condensate and |
Irrigation Toilet/urinal |
250,000 sf or greater GFA |
Project has four or more multifamily buildings with a FAR <1 |
Combined AC condensate and |
Irrigation |
Less than 250,000 sf of GFA |
Project has a cooling tower of 100 tons or greater capacity |
AC condensate |
Cooling tower |
GFA= Gross Floor Area FAR= Floor to Area Ratio