Monthly Archives: February 2016

Environment, Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Where Will the Next Water Crisis Happen?

640px-Salmon_swimming_upstream_in_Ketchikan_Creek_3Flint Water Crisis Deepens

As investigations deepen, the Flint, Michigan water crisis has exposed “leadership failures at every level” (according to an article in the Detroit Free Press quoting U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz), citing “festering” long term problems and questioning the EPA’s level of attention as lead levels in Flint’s water rose to poisonous intensities.

As such, we’d like to bring you a throwback Thursday post to highlight an agency that is being proactive about ensuring that homeowners have access to and control of their water supplies.

Last year, the Skagit County Planning Department issued its first residential building permit with rainwater collection as the sole source of water. This move came in response to the in stream flow rule, which impeded Skagit Valley residential property development. Read more…

We here at RainBank believe there are good folks at governmental agencies who are being progressive about ensuring public health and safety by providing ways for residents to have access to clean, safe drinking water – a basic human right.

Residential Rainwater Collection

Seattle Households Benefit From Rainwater Collection Year-Round

seattle-skylineWith an average annual rainfall amount of 37.5″, the Seattle area is an ideal environment for rainwater collection, since Seattle area households see a moderate climate compared to other cities in the United States.  Summers are generally short and winters are fairly moderate.

Let’s take a look at an average 2,500 sq. ft. home in Seattle, which can easily sustain itself while using rainwater collection for whole household use.

Autumn rainfall averages around 11.55″, filling tanks from the past summer’s use quickly with 17,911 gallons of water available for collection. Winter averages are around 14.42″ or the equivalent of 22,459 gallons available to keep tanks full. Spring continues with 13,036 gallons from an average of 8.37″, allowing levels to remain high. Even summer at an average of 3.15″ or 4.906 gallons available should keep tank levels from going dry to be filled again in the fall.

Seattle Precip 2015Depending on use, an average Seattle home can sustain itself on harvested rainwater without any change in lifestyle for the residents. The average demand from one occupant is 35 gallons per day or 1,050 per month – not including irrigation. Being connected to city water allows for a back up supply. Even with a small amount of storage, a supplemental system can conserve city water supplies and save money, by providing full usage during the wet periods. Future weather patterns predict wetter warmer winters and hotter, dryer summers. A look a last year’s averages on the above graph suggests this to be true. Rainwater collection is a perfect fit for Seattle residents whether non-potable or potable use is desired.