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.
Infrastructure, Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Skagit County Water Rights Battle

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The ongoing battle of water rights continues in Skagit County – with Senate Bills 5129, 5136, & 5407 introduced by Republican Senators Bailey & Pearson. The bills, if passed, would repeal some in stream flow rules from the original 2001 ruling. 

On January 15, 2015, Department of Ecology Director Maia Bellon denied the petition to reallocate water from the Skagit river and its tributaries.  According to an article in The Skagit Valley Herald “In her response to the petition, Bellon said that finding durable, legal water solutions for homes and businesses was a priority for Ecology, and that they are “working very hard to help resolve water supply concerns for Skagit Basin residents.” 

Also mentioned in the GoSkagit.com article, Zach Barborinas representing Just Water Alliance, commented that “Ecology should set aside water first and for most for human domestic use.”

Swinomish Tribe Chairman Brian Cladoosby stated “the tribe has a high threshold for lawsuits, but if parties break an agreement with the tribe or break the law, the tribe is willing to go to court.”

The three senate bills introduced by the Senate Committee challenges the 2001 ruling of exempt wells in the Skagit river basin and its tributaries which according to Ecology and the Swinomish tribe “would adversely effect salmon habitat.”

Since rainwater collection for potable use was approved by Skagit County in 2014 for single family residence, a solution to this lengthy expensive battle could be readily at hand. Promotion, incentives, or grants for the age-old practice of rainwater harvesting should be in place to supply residences affected by this ruling. Rainwater Collection is a safe, viable source of water, and is most often a cleaner source than well water. The Department of Ecology states that rainwater collection is beneficial to in stream flow rates and salmon habitat.

Infrastructure

Special Report From California Water Alliance

droughtThe California Water Alliance (CalWA) recently requested that the California Water Commission endorse Governor Brown’s commitment to the public to use dedicated water bond funds to build water storage facilities, considered to be a large reason why voters approved California’s water bond ballot measure last November.

Excerpted from the press release, according to California water alliance member Bittencourt, “We are in the fourth year of a crippling drought; each rainfall that passes through is a lost opportunity. Creating more reservoirs will protect the state from future disaster and should remain a top priority for the Governor, the legislature, and the Commission as it already is a top priority for Californians.”

The report goes on to say that 67% of voters passed Proposition 1 to fund water quality, supply, treatment and water storage projects.

Recent reports indicate that 80 % of California is experiencing “extreme drought”, creating third world living conditions for some residents in central California.

The California Water Alliance is calling on Governor Brown and the California Water Commission to enforce the promise of water storage be part of that program.  Click here to read the entire release.

Infrastructure, Rainwater Catchment

Harvested Rainwater Reduces Energy Consumption

Ancient Istanbul Water SystemUtilizing the rain that falls on the roof of a building is a simple concept that has provided water to buildings for centuries, and continues as the primary source in many locations in the United States and around the world.

In places such as Bermuda and the US Virgin Islands, the harvesting of rainwater is required by local codes for all new construction. Also, states such as Hawaii and Texas have or are developing design guidelines for rainwater harvesting systems. Additionally, San Juan County in Washington State has been issuing building permits with rainwater as the sole source of water for several years.

Harvested rainwater is free of most of the pollution typically associated with surface water runoff. Furthermore, using harvested rainwater both reduces peak storm water discharge velocities associated with impervious surfaces and reduces the draw on aquifers and municipal water supplies.  Collected rainwater does not have to be pumped up from a well or be conveyed from a distant central treatment facility. This reduces energy consumption, reduces the use of chemical treatment and disinfection as well as it is less disruptive to the natural hydrologic cycle.

On October 12, 2009 the Washington State Department of Ecology issued an Interpretive Policy Statement clarifying that a water right is no longer required for roof top collection. Since January 25, 2011, King County has adopted rainwater harvesting for potable use in single family residences as a supplemental water source. Other Washington State Counties have since adopted rainwater collection for potable use in single family residence as well.

Ancient Istanbul Water System courtesy of David Malloy