There are three main sources for reclaimed non-potable water:

- Captured rainwater
- Recycled graywater
- On-site or municipally treated wastewater

Non-potable water from these sources can be reclaimed for reuse, which helps reduce wastewater generation and potable water demand while increasing the local aquifer recharge (according to the USGBC’s LEED BD+C Reference Guide).

I have yet to work on a LEED project pursuing WEc2 (Innovative Wastewater Technologies), mainly due to the initial capital investment required, not to mention the addition to regular building maintenance required. Still, facilities that generate large amounts of wastewater can realize considerable savings by recycling graywater. This holds true more so for building projects where water usage and sewer fees come at a premium, though, which is to be anticipated.

Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company has been producing pipe and fittings since 1901, and is a leading producer of cast iron, PVC, ABS and CPVC pipe and fittings for plumbing and industrial systems. So it made perfect sense when the company announced its new RePVC piping system, a PVC DWV (drain, waste and vent) pipe, the first (and currently only) NSF-listed PVC schedule 40 DWV pipe with recycled content.

RePVC pipe is a coextruded, solid-wall, schedule 40 pipe for non-pressure applications (sanitary drain, waste and vent). Its available in diameters from 1-1/2” to 6” (same dimensions as PVC 40 solid wall and foam core piping). RePVC starts with 100% pre-consumer recycled content as the center layer, which makes up 30% to 80% of the pipe’s overall thickness, and finishes with a green print line to highlight its environmental friendliness. RePVC has the same benefits of other PVC piping systems, it’s lightweight, easy to install and non-toxic. RePVC is manufactured to ASTM D 4396 and ASTMF 1760 standards, and is NSF-listed.

According to Charlotte Pipe, use of RePVC expands markets for recycled materials, slows the consumption of raw materials and reduces the amount of waste entering landfills. Though, it is worth pointing out for anyone who isn’t already aware, plumbing components are excluded from LEED MR credits for recycled materials (though RePVC meets the intent of the credit).

Like all products manufactured by Charlotte Pipe and Foundary Company, RePVC is made in the U.S.A. For more information visit Charlotte Pipe's website.

 

This product may contribute to earning points for the following LEED BD+C credits:

Water Efficiency Credit 2: Innovative Wastewater Technologies

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