As much as 55,000 gallons of precipitation falls on a 2,000 square foot roof in New England each year, approximately the same amount of water that would be used by three people living in a water-efficient home. Rainwater harvesting systems put this water to work, offsetting demands on municipal and private water supplies for outdoor watering.  Harvesting systems can be provided ranging from simple modular tanks with manually activated pumps (connected to outdoor spigots) to very large underground vaults with fully automated delivery systems providing non-potable water for outdoor irrigation (or indoor plumbing subject to applicable regulatory statutes). Collected rainwater is normally suitable without chemical treatment for all non-potable uses.  Cost-effective rainwater harvesting technologies exist for both residential and nonresidential applications. 

29.a    Developers should install large-scale rainwater harvesting systems at sites with high irrigation or toilet-flushing needs

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