Category Archives: Commercial Rainwater Harvesting

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.

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Sustainability

Rainwater Harvesting With Architectural Design

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Two palm trees, one healthy and one dried, displayed indoors.It’s important to know how to incorporate the best components into an architecturaldesign while also building an affordable, sustainable rainwater harvesting system.

Here’s what we talked about in Rainwater Collection Can Be Part of Architectural Design:

Rainwater collection can be part of architectural design, adding distinction to a building, bringing awareness to conservation, and letting others learnabout the responsibility of green building practices.

Many new commercial construction projects are implementing stormwater management into their architectural designs, rather than simply meeting new regulations. Building designers and owners are showcasing their commitment to conservation, and incorporating functionality with aesthetics, in turn, this practicefurthers customer and general public interest in conservation and rainwater collection, creating even more public awareness of the need for conservation and sustainable living practices.

“Lead by example”, my father used to say, “and it willinspire others to do the same.” Good advice when trying to do the right thing. Seattle and many other cities are recognizing the importance of rainwater collection as a method of controlling stormwater and are seeingthe benefits associated with doing so.

A shiny cylindrical metal sculpture outside a modern building.Other projects that RainBank Rainwater Systems has been involved with include:

  • Sea Scouts building in Galveston, TX (top, left)
  • The Goodwill Building, Seattle, WA (right)
  • Edith Green Federal Building in Portland, OR
  • Federal Way School District, WA
  • Paul Allan’s project, South Lake Union, Seattle
  • Kirkland Safety Building, WA
  • Wallingford Fire Department, Seattle
  • Federal Aviation Building Neah Bay, WA
  • Tacoma School District Tacoma, WA
  • Seattle Arts Academy
  • Puget Sound Energy Seattle
  • Port of Gray’s Harbor, WA
  • Mill Creek Shopping Center, WA
  • Orcas Island School District, WA
  • Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA – and more.

To recap, don’t wait to bring a rainwater harvesting professional into your project. We will work closely with your architect at the outset, to ensure a functioning and affordable water system.

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting: Niche to Mainstream


Modern commercial building with greenery and pedestrian pathways.It’s hard to believe that it’s been two years since we completed the project outlined below. We are thrilled to say that interest in rainwater collection has skyrocketed, bringing it from niche to mainstream. Here’s a throwback Thursday post outlining what happened in May, 2014:

RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems is pleased to announce completion of two 5,300-gallon rainwater collection tanks for the new Kirkland Public Safety Building. Both tanks will collectwater from a segment of the building’s roof and divertto irrigation for new plantings. The Safety building was a former Costco building remodeled for the city of Kirkland to be usedasthe new courthouse, police station and jail.

New landscaping will be wateredautomatically by the rain tanks via a computerized controller which will regulate how long and what times watering will take place. With 10,600 gallons of storage and a roof collection area of approximately 20,000 sq. ft., even a small amount of rain in the summer should supply the new plantings with rainwater.

Two large metallic grain silos standing side by side.Infiltration ofthe soil during watering will reduce the building’s stormwater runoff and save money by not using city water.

RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems is proud to be part of this and other commercial projects making the Seattle area a better place to live.

RainBank Systems are built with the highest quality components and installed by our trained staff. Don’t forget to ask us about our steel water tanks – and the industry unmatched 20-year warranty.

We will continue to highlight and share our projects and information with you. We look forward to installing your system in the near future.

This article was originally published under the title Rainwater Harvesting Cuts Costs & Reduces Stormwater Runoff at RainBank.info