Systems for the use of rainwater in buildings: the European standard EN 16941-1

Abstract

Rainwater harvesting is being gradually valued as a result of the increased need for water conservation and the search for more sustainable solutions in the use of resources. This practice has several environmental and economic benefits, namely avoiding the use of drinking water in non-potable uses and reducing the production of stormwater runoff. Despite the existing consensus regarding the acknowledgment of the value associated with the use of rainwater, several barriers have limited the generalization of its application. Technical standardization can play an important role in eliminating technical barriers to the circulation and trade of products and services by unifying procedures and criteria. Standardization is a framework of agreements aiming that the processes associated with the creation of a product or the performance of a service are accomplished within a set of guidelines. Its goal is to voluntary define the level of quality safety that should be recognized and approved in a given field. The European standard EN 16941-1:2018 ""On-site non-potable water systems - Part 1: Systems for the use of rainwater"", published in January 2018, can help to build confidence in the quality and safety of rainwater harvesting. This standard specifies the requirements and gives recommendations for the design, sizing, installation, identification, commissioning and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems for the use of rainwater on-site as non-potable water. The rainwater harvesting systems are described through four main functional elements: collection, treatment, storage, and distribution. This communication presents the EN 16941-1:2018, focusing on general aspects of interest that may promote its use.