WHEREAS it is deemed in the public interest to provide effective regulations for the use of reclaimed or non-potable water sources in plumbing systems; AND WHEREAS the Building and Safety Standards Branch of the Office of Housing and Construction Standards of the Ministry of Energy and Mines is currently considering the inclusion of regulations for non-potable sources of water to be included in the 2012 BC Building Regulations: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that BC Building Code amendments be provided that will limit the liability to local governments associated with ensuring the minimum water quality standards are met for non-potable water and provide consistent guidance to achieving that goal; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the regulations ensure processes are created that are not unduly onerous on the local government and homeowner and that the procedural application of permitting and approval is no more difficult than that for the potable water system.
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister Responsible for Housing The 2012 British Columbia Building Code BCBC includes provisions for the design of non-potable water systems. These provisions determine the minimum acceptable standards for non-potable water systems in British Columbia. Provisions existed within the 2006 edition. Changes in the 2012 BCBC provide for greater clarity and are not intended to place increased liability or inspection requirements on local governments. A good deal of information has already been published in Canada to provide appropriate guidance. The 2012 BCBC makes reference to these. Property owners are required to design non-potable water systems in consultation with good engineering practice, the Canadian Guidelines for Domestic Reclaimed Water for Use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing and regulations made under the Environmental Management Act.