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, Residential Rainwater Collection

Rainwater Harvesting in Seattle Gains Momentum

nature-conservation-171401_640With the current drought emergency declared by Governor Inslee in May, RainBank Rainwater Systems has seen an increase in inquiries about designs and installations for rainwater collection systems from all over the Puget Sound region.

Seattle is topping the list of new customers who are either expanding existing systems, or are first time customers looking into design and installation. Even though Seattle Public Utilities has said they do not expect to see any water rationing, others are looking into that possibility. We all can do our part to conserve the municipal water supplies by only irrigating in the evening and having our cars washed at a facility that recycles its wash down water. Another way to conserve water is by checking for water leaks in our homes and businesses and teaching our families simple conservation techniques.

Of course, installing a rainwater catchment system will help conserve water, reduce stormwater runoff, and protect our lakes, streams, wetlands and aquifers for future generations. Seattle has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in water conservation due to our climate. With 36 inches of average annual rainfall including 3.5 inches average summer rainfall a well-designed system can produce and store enough water to support an average household. Here in Seattle, we do not see extreme cold temperatures during the winter months, so freeze protection of tanks and plumbing is relatively easy to address. Washington State Ecology has determined through study that most roof materials are safe for collecting rainwater for household use. King County Health is proactive in rainwater collection regulations and code writing.

Whether a small system designed for supplementary use, or a large system for whole house demand is desired – any amount of conservation can be achieved.

Rainwater Catchment

What is Seattle’s Position on Rainwater Collection?

Underground Tank Construction3In October 2009 Washington State revised its water rights laws to allow rainwater collection. King County (Seattle) has adopted rainwater collection for potable use in single-family dwellings, as well.

Seattle and King County encourage the practice of rainwater collection. King County Health Department / Plumbing Division reviews designs, approves designs for permitting, and inspects installations of RWC for potable and non-potable use. Only an engineer, licensed in the State of WA with experience in RWC or an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) accredited professional can design systems for potable usage. Currently potable use is only allowed for single-family residences, not public. Non-potable use, such as toilet facilities, wash down, irrigation, and laundry is allowed for public use.

A simple irrigation system not connected to household water usually does not require a permit. If a rainwater collection system is connected to household plumbing a “reverse pressure back-flow assembly” (RPBA) is required to be installed on the city water line entering the dwelling or building and requires a yearly inspection by a licensed plumber that carries a current endorsement. The RBPA can be waived if an “air gap” is installed so there is no cross connection between city water and the collected rainwater.

There is current code for rainwater collection that must be met for permitting and installation. Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) was enacted to control stormwater runoff and mandates that all new construction, commercial and residential have a stormwater management plan in their design. Infiltration or use of runoff is mandated by City of Seattle, King County and State.

Seattle Public Utilities has initiated a rebate program called Rainwise a few years ago, which encourages infiltration on site and is seeing some success in stormwater with small residential rain gardens. Governor Inslee has requested a small amount of money for education on conservation from the emergency drought relief fund.

For more information, visit:
www.seattle.gov/DPD/Publications/CAM/CAM520.pdf

Rainwater Harvesting Education

Myths of Rainwater Collection

earth-216834_640Whether it is misconception, myth, or outdated information, there is a lot of false information out there about rainwater collection. Here is a short list of the most common.

MYTH: It is illegal to collect rainwater for usage.

Many states have revisited water rights laws and have or are passing legislation concerning RWC.

New York, Virginia, Florida, Rhode Island, North Carolina, US Virgin Islands, Ohio, Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington have all passed some type of legislation legalizing rainwater collection. In many it is up to the county whether collection for potable use is allowed. Check with your county building department.

MYTH: Rainwater collection is new idea.

Rainwater collection dates back as far as 2600 BC in India. Many cultures have harvested rain for usage since then.

MYTH: Rainwater systems are expensive and hard to maintain.

Depending on the design, a potable rainwater system can be approximately the same cost as a well. Maintenance of a well-designed system requires very little maintenance. Hire only those who have experience in designing and installing RWC systems to ensure a system that operates properly.

MYTH: Rainwater is dirty and should not be used for potable demand.

Rainwater is relatively clean compared to surface water. It has not come into contact with contaminants before storage other than the roof. Proper design and installation of storage, conveyance, filtration and disinfection results in exceptional water quality.

MYTH: Rainwater collection can’t possibly provide enough water for my usage.

For every 1,000 sq. ft. of collection area, per inch of rain, 623 gallons are available for collection. A 2,000 sq. ft. home can collect over 44,000 gallons annually.

MYTH: Aquifers and streams will not be recharged if rainwater collection is allowed.

Rooftop collection and use enhances recharge of aquifers and streams due to infiltration. Rather than evaporating, the collected rainwater is used and then infiltrated into the ground through the septic system, and as a result, percolating back down into the aquifer or in stream for future use.

MYTH: Water is infinite, so what’s the big deal?

The natural cycle of water is constantly changing from ocean to atmosphere, to rivers, lakes and aquifers. It is best explained by an article from Our Blue Planet at Infinite Water

To understand more about rainwater harvesting visit www.arcsa.org  /  www.rainbank.info