Commercial Water Re-Use is a hot topic these days, driven by a looming water crisis in the US southwest and increased severity of storms in other regions. New regulations are driving building practices. Here’s an update as of January 2025.
- Water Scarcity
- Stormwater and Rainwater Re-Use
Water Scarcity
In water constrained regions, droughts are becoming more frequent, and aquifers are depleting. Government regulation is playing a key role in driving onsite water re-use by setting standards, offering incentives, and creating frameworks that encourage sustainable practices. Many states and municipalities have implemented policies that mandate or incentivize water conservation, including regulations for greywater recycling, rainwater harvesting, and stormwater management. Building codes in certain regions now require the installation of water re-use systems in new commercial developments.
California is leading the way with new regulations and building practices designed to conserve water. San Francisco’s Non-Potable Water Ordinance (Article 12C) requires all new buildings over 100,000 square feet to include an onsite water reuse system for rainwater, greywater, or blackwater. The goal is to have all new developments eventually incorporate water reuse systems. Los Angeles has a Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance that requires new developments or redevelopments to include rainwater harvesting systems to manage stormwater runoff. Austin Texas is also a leader, through its GoPurple initiative and rebate programs.
Greywater and blackwater recycling are gaining traction. Greywater recycling involves reusing water from sinks, showers, and laundry facilities for non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation and cooling towers. Many businesses, particularly in the commercial real estate and hospitality sectors, are incorporating greywater recycling systems into their buildings, cutting down on water use and lowering wastewater discharge. Blackwater recycling—reusing wastewater from toilets and kitchens—is a more complex and controversial area of water re-use. However, new innovations in treatment technologies are making blackwater recycling feasible for commercial applications.
Stormwater and Rainwater Re-Use
In areas prone to extreme weather events and flooding, the focus is less on water conservation and more on infrastructure resiliency and flood management.
Stormwater recycling is becoming a critical solution for managing runoff and mitigating urban flooding while simultaneously providing a source of reusable water. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of storms, businesses are exploring ways to capture and store stormwater for later use. By filtering and treating stormwater, commercial entities can redirect it for non-potable uses like irrigation or cooling, while also addressing environmental concerns about stormwater runoff. Cities are increasingly incentivizing businesses to adopt stormwater capture and recycling systems, as they help reduce strain on municipal drainage systems and improve water quality. Commercial rainwater harvesting has gained significant momentum as businesses seek to minimize their reliance on potable water. By collecting rainwater from rooftops or other impervious surfaces, companies can use this water for irrigation, cooling systems, and non-potable applications like flushing toilets. As technology improves, systems are becoming more cost-effective and efficient, integrating smart sensors and automated controls that monitor water levels and quality.