Monthly Archives: June 2016

Rainwater Catchment

Full Water Tanks for Seattle


Seattle skyline featuring the Space Needle under a cloudy sky.RainBank customers in Seattle and throughout the Puget Sound region are reporting their tanks are remaining full this Spring.

Above average rainfall for December through March has kept water levels high in most cisterns this Spring. April and May saw less than average rainfall and June remains to be seen. For those customers for whom captured rain is their only source of water, this should come as good news. We are expected to be heading into a new La Nina weather pattern late this fall, which is expected to bring wetter conditions than normal. All of this means that most water tank levels are going into summer with more volume than normal and should refill faster in the fall. Of course all forecasts are speculative and conservation is always encouraged.

Regardless if your rainwater system is sole source or supplemental, existing, newly constructed, or scheduled for construction this summer, the forecast is in your favor.

At RainBank Rainwater Systems, we design and build sustainable systems. With more than15 years of experience providing safe, quality systems for residential, commercial, non potable or potable, we can answer your questions about rainwater collection.Do you have questions? We usually respond within 48 hours. Contact us using the form below.

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Potable, Rainwater Catchment

Can You Drink Rainwater?


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.Can you drink rainwater?

Despite increasing awareness aboutrainwater harvesting and its benefits, there is still word to get out about how and why collecting rainwater makes sense in a world where resources are limited and sometimes nonexistent. Whether due to drought conditions or aging infrastructure, millions of people around the world don’t have access to safe, clean drinking water. Here is an article, originally published in June 2014, titled Is My Rainwater Safe to Drink?

Sanitization seems to be a most elusive and complicated topic in Rainwater Harvesting for the homeowner, as well as for the designer or operator. There are no general definitive answers as to what deviceor treatment is appropriate for all systems. The main question is “When is my water safe to drink?”

Presently, thousands of people die or become gravely ill due to lack of clean water throughout theworld. Rainwater is generally a safer potable source than surface water; however it may carry pathogensthat could pose a health risk.

RainBank has published a free article to help you determine when your rainwater is safe to drink. Click herefor a free download to the entire article and don’t forget to check the box below to receive new posts via your inbox. Of course, if you have questions – contact us – our team willrespond to your inquiry within 48 hours. You can also find RainBank on LinkedIn,FacebookandTwitter.

Rainwater Catchment

Big Box Stores Embrace Rainwater Harvesting


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.In the June ARCSA newsletter, Dr. Hari J. Krishna, ARCSA Founder & Past President,Austin, Texas writes:

“My mission for the past 25 years has been to help people become aware of the benefits of rainwater harvesting, and to make the technique as popular a practice as possible. It is with that intent that I founded ARCSA and have been pleased with all the progress we have made, thanks to the efforts of many others who have followed me at ARCSA and contributed greatly over the years.

In 2010, I met with managers of several local big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and Sam’s to encourage them to start selling rain barrels. Most of them did not know what I was talking about, so it was more of an educational process to make them aware, but it still did not yield the desired results. I was told that there was plenty of city water available, and that there was no need to collect rain water. Then shortly thereafter, we got hit with a crippling multi-year drought in Texas, and when water restrictions were imposed, folks began recognizing the value of rainwater. So ironically, the drought helped bring rainwater harvesting into focus. I see a sharp increase in big box stores selling rain barrels.”

Read more about rainwater news from ARCSAhere.