Atlanta permits non-potable reclaimed water for irrigation, cooling towers, and construction dust control under Georgia EPD rules and Ch. 154 plumbing requirements; rainwater harvesting is encouraged citywide.
Reclaimed water systems serving Atlanta projects must comply with Georgia EPD's Reclaimed Water Guidelines and Atlanta Code Ch. 154 plumbing standards including purple-pipe identification, backflow prevention, and signage. The R.M. Clayton Water Reclamation Center produces tertiary-treated water available for industrial cooling and select irrigation applications. Rainwater harvesting through cisterns above 100 gallons requires a plumbing permit if connected to indoor fixtures; outdoor irrigation barrels are unregulated. The Department of Watershed Management offers rebates for harvesting installations under its conservation program. Cross-connections between potable and non-potable lines are strictly prohibited and tested annually by certified backflow inspectors.
Cross-connection violations can trigger immediate water shutoff and fines; mislabeled non-potable lines may bring code-enforcement citations and retrofit orders to bring the system into compliance.
Atlanta, GA
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged. Rain barrels need no permit; larger cisterns tied to interior plumbing require a plumbing permit and backflow p...
Atlanta, GA
Georgia's Water Stewardship Act and Atlanta Watershed rules limit outdoor watering to between 4 PM and 10 AM with a 25-gallon hand-watering allowance year-ro...
See how Atlanta's recycled water rules rules stack up against other locations.
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