Summary.
The bill establishes a framework for using rainwater in all public structures throughout the country and in buildings outside the national aqueduct network or without water. It links that use to environmental protection and resilience to climate change. Although its title refers to projects of the Ministry of Education (MINISTERIO DE EDUCACIÓN) and the Ministry of Health (MINISTERIO DE SALUD), its operative provisions cover public structures generally.
The proposed system channels rainwater runoff through PVC pipes identified as rainwater pipes. Before entering collection tanks, the water passes through a leaf filter; the tanks have a chlorination system using calcium hypochlorite to limit the proliferation of microorganisms. The water then passes through a sedimentation filter. Untreated water would flow by gravity to supply sanitary facilities, laundry areas, gardens and agriculture. For human use and consumption, a pumping system would send it to a three-stage filtration unit to make it potable.
Plans for new public institution buildings and alterations to existing public structures must include the system when submitted, from the date of promulgation, to Municipal Engineering (Ingeniería Municipal) or the Ministry of Housing and Land Use Planning (Ministerio de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial). The bill requires the system to operate autonomously, with its electrical equipment powered by solar cells, and to be easy to install, use and maintain.
The system would also be used in commercial and residential developments, private parks, and recreational and leisure structures in areas without an aqueduct system or a water supply provided by the National Aqueduct and Sewerage Institute (Instituto de Acueductos y Alcantarillados Nacionales). It would also apply at sites supplied by rural aqueducts. The text permits use in places that already have the service, without replacing the National Aqueduct and Sewerage Institute.
Where rainwater is made potable for human use and consumption, the system must comply with Resolution No. 507 of December 30, 2003 (Resolución No. 507 de 30 de diciembre de 2003), issued by the Ministry of Health (Ministerio de Salud). That resolution sets the procedure for controlling drinking-water quality under Technical Regulation DGNTI - COPANIT 23 - 395 - 99. The Directorate of the Drinking Water and Sanitary Sewerage Subsector (Dirección del Sub Sector de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado Sanitario) would supervise chlorination and serve as the competent authority. For parks and recreational or leisure structures in areas without that aqueduct supply, water governance would belong to local governments and the Rural Water and Aqueduct Boards (Junta de Agua y Acueductos Rurales). The bill would repeal contrary provisions and take effect upon promulgation.
Its provisions concern those public authorities and the construction, housing, commercial, recreation, agriculture and rural water supply sectors.
What it proposes.
- Rainwater capture and use.
- Treatment of rainwater for non-potable uses and human consumption.
- Inclusion of the system in public institution building plans.
- Health supervision and local water governance.
Who it would affect.
- Public institutions constructing or altering buildings.
- Commercial, residential and recreational projects in areas without an aqueduct network.
- Sites supplied by rural aqueducts.
- Users of buildings equipped with the system.
Key points.
- Rainwater harvesting would cover public structures and buildings outside the national aqueduct network or without water.Art. 1
- The system would collect, filter and chlorinate water, then distribute it untreated for specified uses or make it potable for human use and consumption.Art. 2
- Plans for new public buildings and alterations to existing structures must include the system when submitted to the specified authorities.Art. 3
- Solar cells would power the equipment, which must be easy to install, use and maintain.Art. 4
- The system would be used in specified projects in areas without aqueduct supply and could also be used where the service already exists.Art. 5
- Making water potable for human use and consumption must comply with the drinking-water quality control procedure identified in the bill.Art. 6
- The health authority would supervise chlorination; local governments and rural boards would govern water in the specified parks and recreational structures.Arts. 7-9
- The bill would repeal contrary provisions and take effect upon promulgation.Arts. 10-11