2017-02-22 15:05:50
As it passes through the atmosphere, from runoff on roofs, in the storage tank and then in the network, rainwater can become loaded with metals, organic matter, organic micropollutants and micro-organisms.
A ministerial decree of August 21, 2008 relating to the recovery of rainwater and its use inside and outside buildings specifies the conditions for the use of rainwater recovered downstream of inaccessible roofs, in buildings and their outbuildings, as well as as well as the conditions of installation, maintenance and monitoring of the equipment necessary for their recovery and use. This decree authorizes the use of rainwater outside the dwelling (domestic uses and watering of green spaces) and inside (supply of flushing toilets and washing of interior floors). The use of rainwater for laundry washing is permitted. on an experimental basissubject to the implementation of appropriate water treatment devices.
The Directorate General for Health contacted ANSES to ” define the direct and indirect potential health risks that could represent the implementation of a rainwater recovery and use installation to which a washing machine would be connected, and to evaluate the methods of treatment of the water if necessary so that rainwater can be allowed for washing clothes. ยป
Agency conclusions and recommendations
Given the local variations depending on the season, rainfall (duration of the rainy event, period of dry weather, etc.), the temperature, the characteristics of the installation, the geographical location (rural/urban), the nature and characteristics of the catchment area and the surfaces on which the rainwater runs off, the Agency concludes that impossibility of exhaustively identifying and characterizing the predominant microbiological and chemical hazards of a rainwater recovery system to which a washing machine would be connected. In addition, the situation relating to the recovery and use rainwater in France, in general and in particular for washing clothes, is poorly documented, despite article 5 of the decree of August 21, 2008 providing for a declaration of use at the town hall.
This expertise concludes a cycle of work by the Agency relating to various measures and technological developments implemented to respond to the health problem linked to the one-off and/or long-term risks of water resource scarcity.
In view of the heterogeneity of the data available, of the local conditions, of the practices of individuals for washing clothes and of the impossibility of carrying out a risk assessment, it is not possible to propose either quality limits for drinking water. supply to washing machines, or generic treatment of rainwater for machine washing.
Furthermore, a washing machine is not a sterile enclosure and contains microbial populations made up of microorganisms brought by the supply water, biofilms and/or dirty laundry. These different micro-organisms are likely to be found on linen coming out of the washing machine. The future of micro-organisms on laundry is closely linked to washing conditions (temperature, detergents, cycle and quality of rinse water), to other laundry care steps (drying, ironing) and to their synergy . The Agency therefore recommends that rainwater not be used to wash the laundry of the following populations:
- populations at risk of skin allergy, with skin diseases or atopic skin (prone to allergies);
- young children, who regularly put laundry in their mouths;
- immunocompromised people;
- people in hospitalization at home;
- hospitalized persons whose laundry is washed at home, and their entourage;
- people living near industrial sites and agricultural sites, where rainwater is likely to contain more chemical contaminants.
With regard to washing linen, ANSES recommends drawing up a guide to good washing practices for washing linen, regardless of the type of water used, in order to enable individuals to be informed of washing practices. linen maintenance (sorting of linen, temperature, ironing) to be implemented in order to aim for optimal linen hygiene.
ANSES recalls and emphasizes the health issues and risks associated with the use of non-potable water for domestic use inside the home, involving the creation of a water network inside the building. Undrinkable. The Agency therefore reiterates its recommendations aimed at avoiding the risk of confusion and interconnection of public distribution water and non-potable water networks in buildings. It is therefore necessary to set up a clear identification of the networks (colour, pictogram, etc.) which must be understood by all populations, including visually impaired people and those who cannot read or have poor command of the use of French. It therefore appears essential that the technical requirements of the decree of 08/21/2008, of the NF 16-005 standard (rainwater) and of the NF EN 1717 standard (protection of the water network intended for human consumption ) are respected, in particular those concerning the disconnection of the water networks, upkeep, maintenance, the tapping valve inside the building.
Finally, ANSES recommends that a diagnosis of the presence of a non-drinking water network be added before the sale of any property.
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