Water recovery plan irks builders

Going green could become the rule of law, not just a trend, in Sandy Springs.

Spurred by the ongoing drought, city officials are considering a mandate for water-saving systems in most new homes.

The options include a "gray water recovery system" for residential construction priced at $500,000 or more, which is the majority of new housing in the city. If approved, the requirement would be a first for metro Atlanta.

The council is expected to vote Tuesday on several building code changes that are designed to reduce long-term water demand.

Most of the options carry a modest cost, including low-volume faucets, bath fixtures and appliances in all new construction, and waterless urinals in new commercial buildings.

The requirement for a gray water recycling system, however, has raised hackles among builders. The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association estimates it will cost $5,000 to $7,000 per home.

The organization represents 2,000 builders in metro Atlanta, and opposes the requirement.

"One, it's going to be expensive. Two, I don't see this as helping our drought conditions," said Chris Burke, a vice president with the association.

Gray water is water that already has been used in a home and that can be used for other purposes, such as outdoor watering. It doesn't include toilet water. Designs vary, but generally, a recovery system uses dual piping to capture the spent water, then deposits it in a storage tank, which is pumped for irrigation.

Burke argues such systems will divert used water from the local sewer system and delay its return to the river system.

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