ASTM E2727-10
(Practice)Standard Practice for Assessment of Rainwater Quality
Standard Practice for Assessment of Rainwater Quality
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
As the world's population increases, so does the need for water to meet various needs. Rainwater harvesting offers a viable, sustainable approach to satisfying various water needs.
Rainwater harvesting may be the only source of water supply for many rural and remote households where no other water supply is available. In urban and suburban locations, rainwater harvesting may help public water systems reduce peak demands and help delay the need for expanding water treatment plants.
Rainwater harvesting can reduce storm water runoff, nonpoint source pollution, and erosion in urban environments.
Rainwater harvesting provides for redundancies and diversified systems that decrease security issues associated with centralized facilities.
An assessment of rainwater quality is necessary for determination of appropriate uses for water collected and stored in rainwater harvesting systems. This practice identifies a set of research and reporting requirements that will permit the intended user to assess the rainwater quality of a particular site.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides a methodology for assessing rainwater quality.
1.1.1 This practice identifies a set of research and reporting requirements that will permit the intended user to assess the rainwater quality of a particular site.
1.1.2 This practice characterizes rainwater quality in general and identifies site conditions that may affect rainwater quality. Where site conditions affecting rainwater exist, additional assessment techniques may be required.
1.1.3 Objectives guiding the development of this practice are (1) to synthesize and put in writing good commercial and customary practice for rainwater quality assessment; (2) to facilitate high quality, standardized water stewardship protocols; and (3) to clarify a standard of due diligence that is practical and reasonable.
1.2 This practice does not establish design requirements for rainwater harvesting systems. However, it may provide information in support of decisions relative to design and implementation of rainwater harvesting projects.
1.3 This practice does not identify use(s) of rainwater, commercial or otherwise. However, it may provide information in support of decisions relative to evaluation of property conditions and development options.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.
1.4.1 Water laws vary among governing jurisdictions. It is the responsibility of the user of this practice to determine regulatory requirements applicable to rainwater quality assessment and potential use(s).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: E2727 − 10
StandardPractice for
Assessment of Rainwater Quality
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2727; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This practice provides a methodology for assessing
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
rainwater quality.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1.1 This practice identifies a set of research and reporting
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
requirements that will permit the intended user to assess the
rainwater quality of a particular site.
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.2 This practice characterizes rainwater quality in gen-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
eral and identifies site conditions that may affect rainwater
E1527 Practice for Environmental SiteAssessments: Phase I
quality. Where site conditions affecting rainwater exist, addi-
Environmental Site Assessment Process
tional assessment techniques may be required.
E1528 Practice for Limited Environmental Due Diligence:
1.1.3 Objectives guiding the development of this practice
Transaction Screen Process
are (1) to synthesize and put in writing good commercial and
E2114 Terminology for Sustainability Relative to the Perfor-
customary practice for rainwater quality assessment; (2)to
mance of Buildings
facilitate high quality, standardized water stewardship proto-
E2635 Practice for Water Conservation in Buildings
cols; and (3) to clarify a standard of due diligence that is
practical and reasonable. Through In-Situ Water Reclamation
2.2 EPA Documents:
1.2 This practice does not establish design requirements for
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Com-
rainwater harvesting systems. However, it may provide infor-
pensation and Liability Act, commonly known as Super-
mation in support of decisions relative to design and imple-
fund
mentation of rainwater harvesting projects.
1.3 This practice does not identify use(s) of rainwater,
3. Terminology
commercialorotherwise.However,itmayprovideinformation
3.1 Definitions:
in support of decisions relative to evaluation of property
3.1.1 For terms related to sustainability relative to the
conditions and development options.
performance of buildings, refer to Terminology E2114.
1.4 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace
3.2.1 adjacent site, n—any property or properties the border
educationorexperienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith
of which is contiguous or partially contiguous with that of the
professional judgment.
property, or that would be contiguous or partially contiguous
1.4.1 Water laws vary among governing jurisdictions. It is
with that of the property but for a street, road, public
the responsibility of the user of this practice to determine
thoroughfare, or other physical barrier separating them.
regulatory requirements applicable to rainwater quality assess-
ment and potential use(s).
3.2.2 brownfield site, n—real property, the expansion,
redevelopment, or reuse of whichmay be complicated by the
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance,
standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
pollutant, orcontaminant.
conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for informa-
tion only and are not considered standard.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E60 on Sustain- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
ability and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E60.01 on Buildings and the ASTM website.
Construction. Available from United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ariel
Current edition approved July 1, 2010. Published October 2010. DOI:10.1520/ Rios Bldg., 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20460, http://
E2727-10. www.epa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2727 − 10
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The term "brownfield site" does not be the subject of an enforcement action if brought to the
include a site described in Comprehensive Environmental attention of appropriate governmental agencies. Conditions
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), com- determined to be de minimis are not recognized environmental
monly known as Superfund, Section 101(39)(B), even though conditions.
this language tracks the definition of "brownfield site" in
4. Significance and Use
CERCLA Section 101(39)(A) and (B).
4.1 As the world’s population increases, so does the need
3.2.3 building department records, n—those records of the
for water to meet various needs. Rainwater harvesting offers a
local government in which the property is located indicating
viable, sustainable approach to satisfying various water needs.
permission of the local government to construct, alter, or
4.1.1 Rainwater harvesting may be the only source of water
demolish improvements on the property.
supply for many rural and remote households where no other
3.2.4 catchment area, n—surface, including hard roofs,
water supply is available. In urban and suburban locations,
from which rainwater may be collected.
rainwater harvesting may help public water systems reduce
3.2.5 first flush filter, n—device that automatically diverts
peak demands and help delay the need for expanding water
the first flow of rainwater collected from the catchment area.
treatment plants.
3.2.5.1 Discussion—A first flush filter device usually con-
4.1.2 Rainwater harvesting can reduce storm water runoff,
tains a temporary storage of 50–100 L (13.21–26.42 gal) (al-
nonpoint source pollution, and erosion in urban environments.
though size is determined by specific design objectives of the
4.1.3 Rainwater harvesting provides for redundancies and
rainwaterharvestingsystem)andasimplevalveunitconsisting
diversified systems that decrease security issues associated
of a ball and seat. The initial rainfall fills the storage and floats
with centralized facilities.
the ball until it rises up to the seat, blocking the opening to the
4.2 An assessment of rainwater quality is necessary for
storage.
determination of appropriate uses for water collected and
3.2.6 intended user, n—individual or organization identified
stored in rainwater harvesting systems. This practice identifies
by the entity assessing rainwater quality as being the one who
asetofresearchandreportingrequirementsthatwillpermitthe
relies on that information to make decisions.
intendedusertoassesstherainwaterqualityofaparticularsite.
3.2.6.1 Discussion—The intended user could be the client,
the responsible party, program administrators, regulators, the
5. Baseline Characterization of Rain Water Quality
financial community or other affected stakeholders, such as
5.1 Assumptions:
local communities, governmental agencies, or non-
5.1.1 The following assumptions are utilized in delineating
governmental organizations.
baseline rain water quality.
3.2.7 nonpotable water, n—water that has not been treated
5.1.1.1 Rainwaterisconsidereduncontaminateduntilitfalls
for human consumption in conformance with applicable drink-
on a surface.
ing water quality regulations.
5.1.1.2 Proper maintenance is provided for the rainwater
harvesting system in accordance with recommendations of the
3.2.8 other contaminated site, n—a facility that is described
system manufacturer.
in Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation,
5.1.1.3 Rainwater that is collected (that is, harvested rain-
and LiabilityAct (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund,
water) through a leaf/debris screen of minimum 8 mm
Section 101(39)(B).
(0.32 in.) and an insect screen of minimum 1 mm (0.039 in.)
3.2.8.1 Discussion—A facility that is listed on the National
stainless steel mesh, after a first flush filter, and does not have
Priorities List or is proposed for listing would be an example
unique site considerations as identified in Section 6 shall be
of a contaminated site.
assumed to have the baseline quality characteristics listed
3.2.9 potable water, n—water that does not endanger the
herein.
livesorhealthofhumanbeingsandthatconformstoapplicable
5.2 Baseline Quality Characteristics:
regulations for drinking water quality.
5.2.1 pH — 6.0 – 7.0.
3.2.10 rainwater harvesting, v—collecting rainwater from a
5.2.2 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) — ≤10 mg/L
catchment area and storing it for future use.
(0.00035 oz/0.26 gal).
3.2.11 recognized environmental condition, n—the presence
5.2.3 Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU) — ≤2.
or likely presence of any hazardous substances or petroleum
5.2.4 Fecal Coliform—No detectable fecal coli/100 mL
products that may affect the catchment area.
(0.027 gal).
3.2.11.1 Discussion—The term includes hazardous sub-
5.2.5 Sodium—No detectable sodium/100 mL (0.027 gal).
stances or petroleum products even under conditions in com-
5.2.6 Chlorine—No detectable chlorine/100 mL
pliance with laws. The term is not intended to include de
(0.027 gal).
minimis conditions that generally do not present a threat to
5.2.7 Enteroviruses—No detectable entereoviruses/100 mL
human health or the environment and that generally would not
(0.027 gal).
6. Unique Site Considerations Review Process
The National Priorities List (NPL) is a list compiled by EPA pursuant to
6.1 The contents of rainwater may vary by geographical
CERCLA 42 U.S.C. § 9605(a)(8)(B) of properties with the highest priority for
cleanup pursuant to EPA’s Hazard Ranking System. (See 40 C.F.R. Part 300.) region and by unique site considerations.Water can collect and
E2727 − 10
transport particulates and debris. Water can function as a practice identifies record information that shall be reviewed
solvent, absorbing contaminants and minerals. Thus, baseline from standard sources, and such that is reasonably ascertain-
rainwater quality may be affected by the surfaces and sub-
able from those standard sources. Record information that is
stances with which it comes in contact.
reasonably ascertainable means (1) information that is publicly
available, (2) information that is obtainable from its source
6.2 Review of the site considerations listed in Table 1 is
within reasonable time and cost constraints, and (3) informa-
intended to identify recognized environmental conditions.
tion that is practically reviewable.
Recognized environmental conditions will affect water quality
and may limit use of rainwater in potable water applications or 6.2.3 Publicly Available—Information that is publicly avail-
non-potable water applications, or both. able means that the source of the information allows access to
6.2.1 Accuracy and Completeness—Accuracy and com- the information by anyone upon request.
pleteness of record information varies among information
6.2.4 Reasonable Time and Cost—Information that is ob-
sources, including governmental sources. Record information
tainable within reasonable time and cost constraints means that
is often inaccurate or incomplete. The entity providing an
the information will be provided by the source within 20
assessment is not obligated to identify mistakes or insufficien-
calendar days of receiving a written, telephone, or in person
ciesininformationprovided,butshallmakeareasonableeffort
request at no more than a nominal cost intended to cover the
toidentifymistakesorinsufficienciesthataresuspectedormay
source’s cost of retrieving and duplicating the information.
be determined during review of site considerations.
Information that can only be reviewed by a visit to the source
6.2.2 Reasonably Ascertainable/Standard Sources—
is reasonably ascertainable if the visit is permitted by the
Availability of record information varies by source, including
source within 20 days of request.
governmentaljurisdictions.Theentityprovidinganassessment
is not obligated to identify, obtain, or review every possible 6.3 Table1listsreviewquestionsforthesite.Answerstothe
record that might exist with respect to a property. Instead, this questions should be obtained from the following sources:
TABLE 1 Site Consideration Review Questions
Conclusion Sources Supporting Conclusion
Question
No Yes Observation Documents Interviews
Is the catchment in an urban environment?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of a busy road or highway?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of an agricultural property that
is not fully organic?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of an industrial facility?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of a fueling station?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of a railroad or 1 km (0.62 mi)
of a rail yard?
Is the catchment within 1 km (0.62 mi) of an airport?
Is the catchment within 500 m (1640 ft) of a brownfield or other
contaminated property?
Has an environmental Site Assessment conducted in accordance with
Practice E1527 or Practice E1528, or both, reported a recognized en-
vironmental condition within 500 m (1640 ft) of the catchment area?
Is there evidence of recognized environmental conditions within 500 m
(1640 ft) of the catchment area?
Is the catchment area within 10 km (6.2 mi) of coastal waters?
Are there any other unique site conditions, including recent events and
temporary conditions, that indicate potential to contaminate the catch-
ment area?
E2727 − 10
6.3.1 Physical Observation—Review site, including catch- 7. Report
ment area, and adjacent sites.
7.1 Areportshallbeprovidedindicatingresultsofrainwater
6.3.2 Document Research: assessment in accordance with this practice. The report shall
clearly state whether or not baseline quality characteristics are
6.3.2.1 Infrastructure—Review water and wastewater infra-
determined to apply.
structure serving the site. Documents may include site plans
7.2 The report shall include:
and utility records.
7.2.1 Date of Assessment.
6.3.2.2 Context—Review context of site, including catch-
7.2.2 Intended User—Include the name and contact infor-
ment area. Documents may include maps, aerial photographs,
mation.
zoning plans, and National Atmospheric Deposition
7.2.3 Assessment Entity—Inc
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