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.
Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Residential Rainwater Collection, Water Tanks

Affordability With Steel Tanks

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Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.Seattle based RainBank Rainwater Systems and Contain Water Systems Inc. have brought back affordability and expertise to the steel water tank market in the Seattle area. No matter if your project is commercial or residential, rainwater harvesting, or fire suppression, costs are always a concern for any project. Many dealers are third or even fourth party in steel water tank sales, of course each adding their markup.

Asa Contain Systems, Inc. distributor, there is no middleman. We sell Contain Tanks to dealers and the public. We install what we sell. We don’t use subcontractors and we stand behind our product line. Contain Water Systems Inc. water tanks carry a 20 year warranty wheninstalled by RainBank Rainwater Systems or a certified installer.

RainBank’s president has more than 15 years experience in commercial and residential designs, installations, and sales of rainwater collection systems and is an ARCSA lifetime member, ARCSA Northwest Regional Representative, ARCSA Accredited Professional and an ARCSA Inspector Specialist. RainBank has put together an experienced team to provide customers with an integrated, progressive approach to sustainability, premium water systems. In-house engineering, licensed plumber, and experienced installers takes the guesswork out of a project for the architect, engineer, contractor and owner.

OUR LIST OF SERVICES INCLUDE:

DESIGN:complete systems with performance specifications.

ENGINEERING& PERMITTINGto meetall legal requirements from county and state agencies; cost effective, fast & hassle free.

INSTALLATIONincludes onsite management forinstallation of rainwater harvesting and storage systems.

CONSULTINGis available throughout the US Including Hawaii, for all rainwater harvesting systems.

FEASIBILITY STUDYis the first step to take if you aren’t sure about whether or not a rainwater collection system is right for your project.Contact usfor a quote.

PACKAGINGcustomized kits & blueprints for do-it-your-selfers, those in remote locations, tract housing developers and large companies.

PRODUCTS: RainBank isa dealer for the following rainwater system tanks and components:

  • Containsteel water tanks (carrying a 20 year warranty)
  • WISY Products
  • Davey pumps
  • Premier Plastics water tanks
  • National water testing
  • GC Solenoid valves
  • Filter cartridge replacements
  • Tuffy screen basket liners

Contact RainBank about your project today.

Rainwater Catchment, Sustainability

A Greener Approach in Yavapai County AZ


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.The Prescott News has reported that Yavapai County (AZ) Government is including a greenerapproach tonew construction for a few county buildings. Rainwater collection and solar were included in the “reduction of energy and water usage.” Solar and LED lighting are already proving to be a significant cost savings in existing county building and are expected to do so in future projects.

Rainwater collection will supply irrigation requirements for both the new library and the county health services in Yavapai County. Low flush bathroom fixtures and alternatives in new technology in irrigation nozzles will be used to further the conservation examples to reduce future costs and public education of practices.

The exterior of Seattle Fire Station with a brick facade and signage.Federal and state buildings in Washington and Oregon have included these practices as well fire stations, schools, county buildings and military projects. Private practice has also jumped in with conservation and sustainability throughelectrical and water.

At RainBank Rainwater Systems, we applaud the conservation efforts of our officialsand the continued public education aboutsustainability, whether here in Seattle, throughout the Pacific Northwest, around the country, like in Yavapai County, AZ – and the world.

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Rainwater Catchment, Technical Information

Meeting the 2016 Seattle Stormwater Code


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.The new Seattle 2016 stormwater code, effective Jan 1, 2016 addressesstormwater regulations in order to protect people, property, and the environment from damage caused by stormwater runoff. Drainage control, flow control andstormwater treatment, and “On Site Stormwater Management”, are key factors in what you can and cannot do with runoff caused by impervious surfaces. The new code satisfies Seattle’s obligation to be in compliance with theMunicipal Stormwater Discharge National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Thecity of Seattle has put out new publication of “Best Management Practices.” The Primary purpose of the BMPs is to protect beneficial uses of water resources, while reducing erosion, andcontamination ofstormwaterrunoff entering our waterways. Collecting rainwater forbeneficial use can have asignificanteffect meeting therequirements of the newstormwater codes on any newconstruction within city limits. Collecting the rain and using it reduces theimpervious surface of your project. Whether its use is for irrigation,toilet flushing, laundry facility, or potable use for residential, adding rainwater collection to your project’s design can be the answer to “what do I do with the runoff to meet thesechallenges?”, to comply with the new stormwater code.”

Contain Water Systems Inc. and RainBank Rainwater Systems can help your Seattle building project meet the 2016 stormwater code requirements.

Contain Steel Water Tanks can be an integral part of design for commercialconstruction in reducing costs due to the new code and its requirements. RainBank Rainwater Systems has been designing and installing systems for more than15 years in Washington State. Whether your project is commercial or residential, potable or non potable, RainBank and Contain have theanswers for your next project. We workclosely witharchitects, engineers,contractors, and most importantly, the customer to help meet the newstormwater codes with aknowledgeable staff andcommitment of your project.