Monthly Archives: July 2015

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Can I Collect Drinking Water From My Roof in Seattle?

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seattle-skylineDoes Seattle allow rainwater collected from the roof to be used for drinking water?

You can have a potable rainwater collection system designed by an engineer, licensed in the state of Washington with experience in RWC, or an ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) accredited professional. Knowledge and experience are required for potable design in King County. A properly designed filtration and disinfection system can provide quality drinking water. It is the designer and installer’s responsibility to ensure that an adequate system is in place and correctly installed.

After system install has been completed, it is up to the owner or operator to maintain the system to protect users from possible contaminants. Sampling and testing are essential to ensure the system is performing as designed. It is recommended that filtered, disinfected rainwater should be tested annually.

A typical filtration/ disinfection system consists of a sediment filter, activated carbon, and ultra violet light and is adequate for achieving potable standards. Adding a 1-micron absolute sediment filter before the UV adds a higher level of endurance of cyst removal. Other possible contaminants can be identified by testing “raw water” before the filtration train and then can be removed by additional filtration.  The last device should be an ultra violet light, which must carry a “class A” rating.

Quality drinking water is possible with rainwater collection and is legal in many counties in Washington State, including Seattle. Many are finding the alternative appealing to municipal water supplies, while also helping to reduce stormwater runoff. Seattle Public Health encourages the practice of rainwater collection, as does Washington State Department of Ecology.

Professional Development, Sustainability

11th Annual ARCSA Conference

beyondthegarden

ARCSA CONFERENCE | November 9-10, 2015
ARCSA/IA EXPO | November 11-12, 2015
Accredited Professional Workshop | November 12-13, 2015

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association  (ARCSA) continues to encourage the protection of our planet and our nation’s resources.

ARCSA will be co-hosting this year’s conference with the Irrigation Association. Exhibits, education seminars, and guest speakers will be on hand to answer your questions on rainwater collection practices.

The demand for drinking water will double in the next 40 years. To meet this demand, we need to conserve today. Rainwater collection is one alternative to conserve our water supplies. 50 – 70% of household water is used for non-potable demand. Irrigation, wash down, laundry and toilets can all use filtered rainwater rather than becoming runoff. Potable use can be achieved with proper filtration and disinfection.

Theodore Roosevelt said it best: “The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value”

Please join us this year for the national conference and the advancement of water conservation. For more information, and to register, please click here.

Sustainability

Californians Rise to Calls to Cut Water Use

watering-791312_640As reported in the Los Angeles Times, Californians  have risen to calls to cut water use and achieved an overall 29% reduction during May 2015, exceeding Gov. Brown’s mandate that use be cut by 25% statewide.

The state’s hard hitting push to educate residents of the dire need to change habits through sustainable landscaping, upgrading appliances and simply by taking shorter showers, has clearly had a positive effect.

The article reports: ‘The savings are based on data submitted by the more than 400 urban water suppliers, which must meet or exceed specified savings beginning in June or face potential fines. Among those water suppliers that showed significant improvements in the latest round of reporting were the California Water Service-Bakersfield, with a 37% cut; Orange County’s Serrano Water District, with a 43% reduction; and Riverside County’s Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, with a 49% savings.”

Way to go Californians – keep up the good work! Your diligence will be absolutely necessary throughout the summer, but with a few more good months under your belts, continued education and outreach, and by maintaining sustainable living habits, you can make meaningful and long-lasting modifications.