New homes built in most of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County will be required to have rainwater collection systems under new water-saving standards. The Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority board voted 4-2 to adopt the standards. The utility estimated the new rules would add $500 to the cost of each new home, the Albuquerque Journal reported. The new requirements call for rainwater to be captured from at least 85 percent of a roof area. A water cistern with pump will be required for any building larger than 2,500 square feet. Rain barrels, cisterns or catchment basins will be required for smaller buildings. The standards also require new homes to have high-efficiency toilets that use 1.2 gallons or less of water per flush. Swamp coolers must be recirculating and equipped with two speed blowers and low-voltage thermostats. Turf will not be allowed on slopes with a 5:1 grade or steeper or in sprinkler-irrigated areas smaller than 10 feet in any dimension.
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