Building Codes Division takes action
to allow water conservation in commercial buildings
(Salem) - In a continuing effort to make water conservation easier for Oregonians, the Department of
Consumer and Business Services' Building Codes Division this month approved the use of wastewater
conservation systems for commercial and industrial buildings. The systems could reduce potable water
consumption in commercial buildings by as much as 30 percent.
"This new ruling ensures that Oregon remains at the forefront of the green building movement," said Gov. Ted
Kulongoski.
Building owners can install the systems to reuse treated wastewater – from showers, tubs, bathroom sinks, and
washing machines - for the purpose of flushing toilets and urinals. The Building Codes Division worked with
Department of Environmental Quality to allow the use of these systems.
In July, the division approved two methods of water conservation for homeowners that allow them to harvest
rainwater and reuse wastewater.
Oregon joins a small group of states, including California, Washington, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico,
and Hawaii, that are working toward allowing builders and homeowners to install wastewater conservation
systems.
The new methods apply in every Oregon city and county because Oregon has a statewide building codes
system.
The Building Codes Division approved the systems as part of the Governor's agenda on climate change. Earlier
this year, the division worked with the Oregon Department of Energy to upgrade the energy code provisions of
the 2008 Oregon Residential Specialty Code, adding new energy-efficiency provisions.
The approval of the water conservation methods is an important milestone for the division's new Green
Building Services section. The section is the central point of contact for green building within the state and is
working to develop standards and streamline processes to position Oregon as a center for innovation within the
green building community.
"These statewide rulings on water conservation and energy efficiency are among the first of many steps the
division is taking to promote green building practices and conservation of scarce resources," said Andrea
Simmons, manager of the Green Building Services section.
The Building Codes Division, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, provides building
code development, administration, inspection, plan review, licensing, and permit services to the construction
industry to help ensure the safe and effective construction of structures in Oregon.
Source: Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services
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