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 Catchment

Will Wahkiakum County Be Next?

Possibly anWahkiakumother county in Washington will adopt rainwater harvesting for potable use in single family homes.

As an ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) Regional representative, part of my job is to educate the public and authorities on the use and benefits of rainwater collection. While many counties have adopted RWC for potable use in single family homes, there are still a few that have not recognized the practice and its benefits.

Recently, I was contacted by a potential customer from Wahkiakum County that would like to collect rainwater for whole household usage. He has water rights to a spring dating back to the early 1900,s, but the water is high in chlorides and irons, and not very desirable. To drill a well would surely produce similar results based on existing wells in the immediate area. The customer would like to build a retirement home in this beautiful area, but is unable to do so since the well test results do not meet the county standards.

I had a nice discussion with the Wahkiakum County Health Department, who seemed to be genuinely interested in the concept. I sent the department numerous case studies as well as links to State Ecology, King County Health, ARCSA, and a host of information on the subject. I think I struck a chord with King County’s acceptance and hope to continue the conversation with them soon.

Has your county adopted RWC for potable use? If not please contact me using the form below.  

Rainwater Catchment

Alternative in Corrugated Steel Water Tank Market

Fire Suppression Water TankRainBank Rainwater Systems has more than 15 years’ experience in steel water storage tank construction and is now offering an alternative in the corrugated steel water tank market. RainBank Rainwater Systems is the Northwest regional distributor of Contain Water Tanks, offering quality at competitive pricing.

About Contain Water Systems Inc.

Contain Water Systems Inc. Water Series tanks & accessories are designed and engineered for several applications. Rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, fire protection, irrigation, agricultural, mining, potable water and many other applications. Contain Water tanks are manufactured from high quality corrugated, hot dipped galvanized steel for superior strength and reliability.

Contain Water Systems Inc. Water Series Tanks include a full scale structural engineering package with each estimation designed to the seismic area in your project location throughout the USA & Canada. Contain Water Tanks are engineered to include 165 MPH wind speeds, durable snow loads and seismic forces at specific project locations. Contain Water Systems Inc. water series tanks & accessories are backed with a 20-year warranty! Extensive engineering to national design codes make the Contain Water Tank extremely adaptable to any climate, landscape type, or building facility.

Contain Water Tanks & accessories are packaged efficiently as well as easily transported into hard to reach locations or building facility. Each tank is custom built, unique to the customer’s needs and assembled at the project site by qualified Contain Water Systems Inc. certified installers. Contain Water Systems water tanks range from 6 ft. to 180 ft. in diameter and up to 400 feet in diameter as an open top tank.

Click here for a link that carries specification, sizes, and more information on Contain Water tanks.

Thank you for considering RainBank Rainwater Systems and Contain Water Systems Inc. for your next project.

Contact us for more information, using the form below:

Rainwater Catchment

Full Water Tanks for Seattle

seattle-skylineRainBank 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 than 15 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.