Drinking water from your roof?

Flat roof system. JRSmith.com

On July 21, the King County Board of Health approved rainwater captured from roofs as a primary source of residential drinking water. 

Previously, it was approved only in addition to other sources.

Houses could now be built with catchment systems on the roof. The regulations require specific roof materials and filtration and disinfection systems.

“Roof-top rainwater collection systems could be good solution for homeowners who want to maximize water conservation,” said Larry Fay, Manager of Community Environmental Health at Public Health - Seattle & King County.  “These systems require close attention to water use management, so they aren’t right for everybody, but I'm pleased it's now an option for single family homeowners.”

Rooftop systems are common in parts of the world subject to drought.