All posts by Ken Blair

A rainwater collection systems designer and consultant, Ken has designed and installed residential and commercial systems, primarily in the northwest United States for more than 10 years and, in 2014, began consulting and managing builds in other states. Ken is an accredited ARCSA Professional Designer / Installer and Life Member, the Northwest Regional ARCSA representative and advisor to its education committee and is available to speak about Rainwater Collection Systems design and builds. Ken is a United States Navy veteran, having served on active duty during the Vietnam War era. A career entrepreneur, Ken created a new business focus with a commercial dive company in Hawaii in the mid 1980′s to respond to and clean up oil spills, oil spill equipment training, service and maintenance for the oil co-op service industry. Ken is passionate about having a positive impact on the environment and is also a founding director of BANK-ON-RAIN (2011-2014), whose mission is to create grassroots solutions for rainwater collection for consumption and agriculture in developing areas of the planet.
Rainwater Harvesting Education

South Seattle Community Rainwater Collection Seminar

Ken Blair, presenting in Seattle
Ken Blair presenting in Seattle

An American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) lifetime member and ARCSA Northwest Regional Representative, RainBank Rainwater Systems is committed to the education and advancement of best practices of rainwater collection in Washington State. RainBank recently was asked to conduct a seminar at South Seattle Community College for the Green Infrastructure Partnership (GrIP) an active group of landscapers, cistern installers, and Seattle Rainwise program contractors.

GrIP Purpose Statement: 

The Green Infrastructure Partnership is a group of nonprofit, government and community-based organizations working with the public to offer solutions to stormwater pollution. Our participants do this through education, technical assistance and incentive programs. Our purpose is to increase networking, collaborating and coordinating opportunities for public engagement. Our goal is to bolster voluntary adoption of green infrastructure as a viable, affordable and effective solution to reduce stormwater runoff polluting Puget Sound. 

The two hour class included design considerations, implementation, components, and maintenance of systems as well as an introduction to new 2016 code and storm water requirements. An active, open discussion with Seattle community attendees followed the presentation with a question and answer period from the more than 30 participants. An ARCSA Accreditation Workshop in the near future was enthusiastically supported by the audience. RainBank will follow up with scheduling and registration information . ARCSA is the leader in education of rainwater collection in the US and Canada with most authorities recognizing ARCSA Accredited Professionals as experts in the field.  

RainBank Rainwater Systems would like to thank all participants of this latest rainwater collection systems seminar and encourage all participants and other interested parties to help bring the next ARCSA Accredited Professional Work shop to Seattle.

Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Collection From Whatcom to Wahkiakum

Xerxes underground tanksFrom Whatcom to Wahkiakum, rainwater collection is gaining popularity in most Washington counties. 

Whether potable or non potable, rainwater collection and use is proving to be a solution to new, stricter storm water codes throughout Washington State and elsewhere. The 2016 storm water code became effective in January 2016 and its regulations are to protect people, property and the environment from damage caused by runoff. The new code is in compliance with the new  Stormwater Discharge National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems (NPDES).

The new Stormwater Code addresses;

  • Drainage control submittal and plan review requirements
  • Where stormwater from your site needs to go
  • On-Site Stormwater Management best practices (previously known as Green Stormwater infrastructure)
  • Erosion control requirements
  • Flow control and treatment requirements
  • Enforcement of the code

In keeping with the 2016 new Stormwater code, a Drainage Review for your project is required if you are;

  • Disturbing more than 750 square feet of land
  • Adding or replacing more than 750 square feet of hard surface 
  • Adding or replacing more than 750 square feet of a building

Rainwater collection and use can help mitigate the hard surfaces such as pavement or roof area for new construction or remodels. On site infiltration by the way of rain gardens, drywalls, irrigation and retention of rainwater is an effective practice used in stormwater management. The use of rainwater for toilet flushing, laundry facility, wash down, cooling towers, and domestic household potable use can reduce the amount of storm water run off and a reduction of city water usage. The benefits environmentally and finically for the property owner and city can be recognized as a viable solution and is excepted as part of the reduction of storm water run off. 

If you’re located in or around the Seattle area – from Wahkiakum  to Whatcom, for further information on the new stormwater code, visit:  http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/codes/stormwater/  

Rainwater Catchment

Labor Day Love for the Team

Labor Day 2016RainBank Rainwater Systems would like to pay a Labor Day tribute to the contributions and achievements of American worker. It is you who make America strong.

Special thank you to our team, Sonia, Chad, Tracy, Vicki, and Lloyd for your talents and commitment in making RainBank Rainwater Systems the most experienced, qualified rainwater collection systems design, construction firm in the Seattle area.

RainBank is an ARCSA accredited designer and installer of rainwater systems and also consults on water systems for both potable, household water use and non-potable for landscaping irrigation, fire protection, toilet flushing, and more. RainBank is also the Northwest region distributor for Contain Water Tanks, which are backed with a 20-year warranty.