Category Archives: Professional Development

Continuing Ed For Rainwater Pros in Vancouver WA


Close-up of water droplets on a green leaf with RCSA logo overlay.Do you know that rainwater harvesting professionals can get their nerd on througheducational opportunities, brought to usby the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA)?

ARCSA’s mission is “to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.”

In addition to informative articles and other information about rainwater collection, ARCSA offers training and development opportunities for RWC professionals toachieve industryaccreditation.

ARCSA and Washington State University Extension and Clark Countyare offering a comprehensiveRainwater Catchment Accredited Professional training course(please click to register), on August 21 & 22, 2015at the Heritage Farm in Vancouver, Washington.

According to ARCSA’s recent email: With the ongoing water crisis in California, and now the Pacific Northwest, this workshop will focus on the Oregon and Washington Issues. Residents of the Pacific Northwest are encouraged to attend to learn to capture stormwater, while creating additional “reservoirs” to store water for future beneficial uses. You can’t use it if you don’t store it.

Be sure to follow ARCSA on Twitter and Facebook for important updates about California and Washington drought conditions, or sign up for their mailing list to receive emails about rainwater harvesting and educationalopportunities.

11th Annual ARCSA Conference


Logo featuring 'Garden' in green with water-related text and a blue water droplet icon.

ARCSA CONFERENCE |November 9-10, 2015
ARCSA/IA EXPO |November 11-12, 2015
Accredited Professional Workshop | November 12-13, 2015

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) continues to encourage the protection of our planet and our nation’s resources.

ARCSA will be co-hosting this year’s conference with theIrrigation Association. Exhibits, education seminars, and guest speakers will be on hand to answer your questions on rainwater collection practices.

The demand for drinking water will double in the next 40 years. To meet this demand, we need to conserve today. Rainwater collection is one alternative to conserve our water supplies. 50 – 70% of household water is used for non-potable demand. Irrigation, wash down, laundry and toilets can all use filtered rainwater rather than becoming runoff. Potable use can be achieved with proper filtration and disinfection.

Theodore Roosevelt said it best:“The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased, and not impaired, in value”

Please join us this year for the national conference and the advancement of water conservation.For more information, and to register, pleaseclick here.

Does Your Installer Follow Plumbing Codes for Rainwater Collection?


A clear glass of water reflecting the cloudy sky.Does Your Installer Follow Plumbing Codes for Rainwater Collection?

In 2013, ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems), ASPE (American Society of Plumbing Engineers) , IAMPO (International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials) and NSF (National Safety Federation) establishedguidelines and code for rainwater collection systems.

The standard is intended to cover all of the requirements for design and installation of RWCS. The requirements in this standard are setto meet the minimum requirements and to assure safe practices for design and installation of potable rainwater collection systems.

ARCSA Accredited Professionalsaretrained throughapproved instructional sessions and must submit to continuing education Logo of American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.credits every year to retain their status. Members includea host of professionals in engineering, microbiology, plumbing professionals and industry leaders, who have additionalopportunities for development through networking, workshops, and conferences. ARCSA professionals are the leaders in the rainwater collection industry.

Be sure to hire only the best for your RWC design and installation to assure your system is designed and installedcorrectly, and meets plumbing code and adheres to safe practices.

For a listing of Accredited Professionals in you area please contact www.arcsa.org.