Category Archives: Environment

Environment, Infrastructure

Water Stress in the US

drops-of-water-627277_640You might not expect it can happen here in the US, but water stress is heading this way.

Water stress is defined as meaning either the demand for water exceeds its availability or poor quality restricts its use. We know that Flint, MI may have sufficient water supply, but if folks aren’t able to drink it, a water stress (and financial stress) situation exists.

As reported by MSN, “When stress occurs, according to the European Environmental Agency, the deterioration of freshwater resources soon follows and this can lead to illness. For example, a quarter of the globe’s population lacks the necessary resources to access anything more than a feces-contaminated source for their drinking water, risking diarrhea, cholera, polio, and other diseases.”

As we’ve previously written, decentralized water systems may be the best way to protect your family and business from water stress, which according to reports, will hit many areas of the United States within the next 20 years – if we don’t change the way we design and build public water systems.

Will Decentralized Water Systems Flow in the Wake of Flint Crisis? (originally published on 3/10/2016 at RainBank.info)

Matt Grocoff, a writer, speaker and recognized leader in net zero energy and living buildings asks: “What if there is a better way for Flint and other cities to harvest and deliver life-enhancing water?

We’ve talked about why decentralized water systems are important to our public safety and why rainwater collection is a simple source for decentralized water, and how it can be the answer to our aging, centralized water systems. With expected increased demand from high density development and the high cost of upgrading infrastructure to meet those demands, water is becoming a commodity.

In his February 15th post for Michigan Radio, Can Flint crisis inspire better water systems for all of us?, Grocoff goes on to say, “There is no doubt that Flint’s water crisis is an unqualified failure of democracy, but it is also a century-old failure of design and systems thinking.”

With a progressive train of thought, he asks, instead of replacing all of the pipes, how about building a better system? This practical approach has some of us scratching our heads because it makes perfect sense.

As science and technology evolve, we should adapt new practices for designing and building public water systems – for the sake of our health, longevity, sustainability and affordability.

Don’t be caught high and dry when water stress arrives in your community. Learn more about rainwater collection and how you can either replace or supplement your dependence on well or city water supply. Of course, we encourage you to follow this blog (click the box below to subscribe to notifications), or visit the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA.org) for free and timely information about rainwater harvesting.

Environment, Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Harvesting Systems For Irrigation

In my blog posts I often neglect to discuss rainwater collection for irrigation demands, even though the most common use of rainwater collection is for non potable use.

While my focus is often on potable whole house usage for residential systems and irrigation as a means of infiltration for commercial applications, the benefits of rainwater collection for both potable and non-potable demand have positive effects for both applications.

Irrigation demands for both commercial and residential can effectively be supplied by collected rainwater. All new construction in Washington State is required to infiltrate runoff on site. This mandate is intended to reduce runoff that increases urban flooding and pollution. Impervious surfaces, such as roads and parking lots, typically have oils, greases, and heavy metals. Yards often contain fertilizers, chemicals, and animal waste – all of which can be carried off to our streams, rivers, and lakes. Some of these are a source of drinking water in Seattle and other cities. Groundwater recharge is reduced as urban populations grow. Land development dramatically affects groundwater recharge with increased impervious surfaces. A rainwater harvesting system allows more opportunity to infiltrate the soil and recharge groundwater supplies.

roof gutter rainBy capturing roof runoff and storing it for use in irrigation, a developer can infiltrate this runoff on site and meet the requirements set forth by the city and state. Stormwater runoff is decreased; infiltration is increased, while saving costs from reduced demands on city water.

Rainwater is relatively clean as it falls on our roof. If properly collected and stored, very little filtration is needed, resulting in a clean, viable source of water for irrigation with less threat to our environment. Following conservative landscaping methods using swales, rain gardens, drought tolerant plantings, and permeable surfaces, irrigation demands can be reduced – allowing for a cost effective means of irrigation. Even more cost savings can be achieved by including toilet flushing in the rainwater system design.

Both commercial and residential developers can benefit from rainwater harvesting systems intended for irrigation. Cost savings, water quality, and environmental protection are all positive outcomes for the developer and community. Being known in the community as a business or residence that cares about our environment and its resources is often admired by customers and friends. Future generations need for us to practice conservation now to ensure safe, sustainable water sources.  Rainwater collection can be part of this commitment.

Environment, Sustainability

Northern Neighbors Considering Rainwater Collection as a Potable Source

Tank with treeOur neighbors to the North are considering rainwater collection as a potable source. Rainwater collection is just good practice for sustainability and conservation.

Last year, the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) was joined by the Canadian Association of Rainwater Management (CANARM) in a joint effort to promote rainwater collection throughout Canada.

In a recent article in the Nanaimo Bulletin, Julie Pisani, regional district director of drinking water, is embracing rainwater collection for potable usage with regional directors approving the use of rainwater as amiable source. The directors are hoping the resolution will ultimately be considered at the Union Municipalities Conference this September. Dr. Paul Hasselback, Medical Health Officer stated “If they have the appropriate treatment in place, it may be a viable solution”. The BC ARCSA representative is Ken Nentwig and can be reached at ken (dot) nentwig (at) gmail (dot) com

As British Columbia moves forward in their efforts to promote rainwater collection as a potable source, we encourage the District Directors to contact counties and cities in the Puget Sound Region. San Juan County has supported RWC for potable use for more than twenty years. In 2009, the Greater Seattle area adopted RWC for potable use as well as others in the region.