Rainwater Harvesting and Treatment: Objectives, design description, and criteria Water goals at the NNH began with questions surrounding the appropriate balance between public and private services as they relate to safe, convenient, efficient and environmentally responsible water use. The project team worked to find a solution that satisfied the stipulations of the temporary permits and would function without onerous maintenance by the residents. The team also obtained variances for use of treated rainwater solely for toilet flushing, clothes washing and exterior hose faucets.
Water quality of collected samples is tested at two laboratories: a state certified drinking water laboratory and a university laboratory. To date, samples of treated rainwater collected from the NNH meet EPA regulated, secondary regulated, and non-regulated drinking water standards. The rainwater treatment system provides an average of 800 gallons of treated rainwater every month for use in the home and exterior faucets. 100% of overflow rainwater is infiltrated in four terraced rain gardens.