Summary of Vermont’s Water Reuse Guideline or Regulation for Landscaping and Onsite Non-potable Water Reuse
This page is part of the EPA’s REUSExplorer tool, which summarizes the different state level regulations or guidelines for water reuse for a variety of sources and end-uses.
The source water for this summary is Rainwater Collected Onsite.
- Technical basis
- Onsite non-potable reuse approved for use in Vermont
- Water reuse category/type
- Additional context and definitions
- Onsite non-potable reuse specifications (table)
- Upcoming state law or policy
- References
- Disclaimer
This page is a summary of the state’s water reuse law or policy and is provided for informational purposes only. Please always refer to the state for the most accurate and updated information.
In Vermont, water reuse for landscapingThe use of recycled water on land to assist in the irrigation of vegetation in residential and non-residential areas. Includes impoundments to store water for irrigation , ornamental vegetation, parks, school yards, sporting facilities (including golf courses), private gardens, roadsides and greenbelts, and cemeteries. Excludes irrigation of areas used for agriculture, commercial reuse applications, or any centralized non-potable reuse. reuse applications include landscape irrigation, and onsite non-potable water reuse The use of treated onsite collected waters for non-potable purposes at the single-building or district scale. This reuse application excludes the use of recycled water from a centralized treatment and distribution system for landscape irrigation or commercial uses. applications include toilets, urinals, HVAC make-up water, car washing and topping off swimming pools. The source of water rainwater collected onsite Precipitation collected at the district or regional scale is classified separately under 'stormwater.' is specified by the state as harvested rainwater. The write-up uses state terms when discussing sources or uses of water that may differ from the Regulations and End-Use Specifications Explorer's (REUSExplorer's) terms.
Technical basis
Vermont approves the use of harvested rainwater for reuse applications related to onsite non-potable water reuse, including in toilets and urinals, as HVAC make-up water, topping off swimming pools and washing cars, but does not set minimum water quality requirements (Vermont ANR, 2017). Rainwater harvesting is limited to rooftop runoff (Vermont ANR, 2017). All applicable provisions of the Clean Water Act (CWA) (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.), including its implementing regulations, must be met in addition to any state water quality standards.
Onsite non-potable water reuse applications approved for use in Vermont
Vermont defines the following specific onsite non-potable water reuse applications for treated rainwater from rainwater collection and distribution systems:
- Toilets and urinals
- HVAC make-up water
- Topping off swimming pools
- Washing cars
- Landscape irrigation
Water reuse treatment category/type
Vermont does not assign harvested rainwater used for onsite non-potable water reuse to a category or class.
Vermont requires the use of a filter installed at the gutter or at the storage tank inlet to exclude debris such as leaf litter or sediment from entering the storage tank (Vermont ANR, 2017). Mosquito screening, 1 millimeter mesh size, must also be installed at openings to prevent mosquitos from entering the storage tank (Vermont ANR, 2017). Dependent on the intended point of use for the harvested rainwater, additional filtration may be required (Vermont ANR, 2017).
Additional context and definitions
Vermont requires specific design elements when implementing rainwater harvesting practices to capture and reuse rainwater runoff. In Vermont, rainwater should not be harvested from roofs manufactured using tar and gravel, asbestos, treated cedar shakes or lead-containing metal flashing (Vermont ANR, 2017). The use of asphalt shingle and painted metal roofs for rainwater harvesting is preferred (Vermont ANR, 2017). Storage tanks must be watertight, composed of and sealed with water safe, non-toxic substances and designed to capture at least 0.2 inches of rainfall from the contributing rooftop (Vermont ANR, 2017). If stored underground, the bottom of the rainwater storage tank must be above groundwater level and the top of the tank below the frost line. Storage tanks that are above ground or not able to be buried below the frost line must be appropriately insulated or disconnected during the winter months to protect the system from freezing (Vermont ANR, 2017). Vermont also provides specific required elements related to rainwater harvesting conveyance. These elements address overflow runoff and prevent ponding or soil saturation (Vermont ANR, 2017).
Onsite non-potable water reuse specifications
None
Upcoming state law or policy
No upcoming onsite non-potable rainwater reuse regulations were found for Vermont.
References:
Clean Water Act. 33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et seq.
Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR). 2017. 4.3.9 Rainwater Harvesting.
Please contact us at waterreuse@epa.gov if the information on this page needs updating or if this state is updating or planning to update its laws and policies and we have not included that information on the news page.