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

Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting Practices

ARCSA conf 2014_2BlogRainBank Rainwater Systems president Ken Blair is ARCSA’s Western Regional Representative

RainBank Rainwater Systems president Ken Blair is excited to accept the position of Western Regional Representative for the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), whose mission is “to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, and non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.”

Ken has more than ten years’ experience in design and installation of systems and supports ARCSA as a lifetime member. He is an accredited professional, inspector specialist, as well as a published contributor to magazine articles, case studies, books and publications.

Ken will be reaching out to local agencies and community organizations to educate them on best practices and benefits of rainwater collection and sustainable rainwater harvesting. RainBank Rainwater Systems will share scheduled ARCSA events on our blog, as well as lending a hand with ARCSA events and education classes. Ken will be an advisor to the education committee of ARCSA and will assist with planning of local events and classes.

If you are interested in more information, or have questions or comments concerning rainwater collection, please contact Ken Blair using the easy form below.

Residential Rainwater Collection

Simple Gutter Maintenance Tasks

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gutter maintenanceAs the weather begins to feel more like winter than autumn and our thoughts turn towards family and friends as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, don’t neglect your gutter maintenance routine.

No one likes to clean gutters – especially during the holiday season. But, with the winds blowing, this is the most important time of year to be on top of your gutters. Wind blows pine needles and leaves from shedding trees – not only into your yard, but into your gutters as well, causing obstructions in the gutters and downspouts. Organic matter, created by tannins in your stored water can be eliminated by removing debris from your gutters and screen baskets. While gutters should be inspected twice per month and cleaned as necessary to be sure your stored water remains clean and clear, this maintenance practice is most important at this time of year.

Don’t let an accident spoil your holidays. Please remember to take care while on a ladder by following manufacturer’s safety guidelines. To eliminate the need to climb a ladder, gutter screening is the most effective measure of first line screening.  Buy good quality gutter screens for high performance. An extruded framework with stainless steel meshing is desirable.

Don’t forget the screen baskets in either the sump tank or top of cisterns, too. They should be inspected a few times per month and cleaned as needed.

These simple gutter maintenance tasks will help ensure collected water is safe and clean.

Rainwater Catchment

Will President Obama Support Rainwater Harvesting Petition?

water droplets on leavesOn November 17, at its national conference in Phoenix, Arizona, ARCSA (the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) will launch a petition as an appeal to President Obama, in support of rainwater harvesting. After the initial launch, an email link will be distributed to supporters who want to sign the petition. The original petition email link will be launched via ARCSA’s newsletter, click here to subscribe.  After the petition reaches 150 names, it will be accessible on the Whitehouse.gov “We the People” website.

Once launched, 100,000 names must be collected within 30 days, (December 16, 2014). When the goal is reached, the petition in support of rainwater harvesting will be placed in line for an official response from President Obama.

The petition language is straightforward and concise:

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION 

…to stimulate the emerging rainwater-harvesting industry through legislation or executive order, creating new jobs in design, installation, education, R&D, sales, plumbing, landscaping, roofing, monitoring and maintenance, which could propel the U.S. to international leadership, with compounding fiscal benefits.

The many justifications include:

  • Worldwide demand for clean water exceeds supply.
  • Rainwater can help fill the gap and reduce stormwater pollution.
  • One inch of rain is over 600 gallons per 1,000 sq. ft. of roof.
  • Rainwater is a valuable resource that reduces demand on water infrastructure.
  • A new national standard, ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63 details safe design & installation.
  • Treated rainwater can easily surpass EPA standards.

We encourage you to click one of the share buttons below to ensure this information is seen by colleagues, friends and family, far and wide.  We want to ensure that this meaningful request gets in front of our President.

SIGN THE PETITION NOW (Please note: signing the petition is a 2 step process.  After you sign, you will be asked to reply to an email to verify your signature.)