Category Archives: Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Collection Conference Covers News & Trends

President David Crawford starts of the 2016 American Rainwater Catchment Systems Associations (ARCSA) 2016 annual conference with a message of unity and moving forward with the advancement of Rainwater Collection.
President David Crawford starts off the 2016 American Rainwater Catchment Systems Associations (ARCSA) 2016 annual conference with a message of unity and moving forward with the advancement of rainwater collection.

Seattle based RainBank Rainwater Systems seized the opportunity to remain up to date on the latest news, trends, and information on Rainwater Collection at the recent ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) conference in Las Vegas.

It has been a progressive year for ARCSA with the alignment of Texas Rainwater Catchment Association (TRCA) and American Rainwater Catchment Association (ARCSA). ARCSA became a 501C (6) and (3) nonprofit organization. The new 2016 ARCSA Rainwater Harvesting Manual now includes the ARCSA/ASPE/ ANSI 63 & 78 standards. The inclusion of CANARM, our neighbors to the North, enhances the ARCSA mission statement in promotion of Rainwater Collection. Our continued movement forward with the United Association of Plumbers only strengthens ARCSA as a viable trade organization, giving us a voice in future legislation.

A number of quality speakers gave their time to inform and educate the membership on topics ranging in “Roofing Materials Assessments Updates”, by University of Washington’s Lisa Rozmyn; “Emerging Regulatory Trends in Rainwater Harvesting”,  by Kevin Wong;  “EPA WaterSense Professional Training”, by Pamela Berstler; and other topics. The discussion “Nevada Water Conservation”, by Doug Bennett should be a model of water conservation throughout the US and Canada. 

ARCSA conf 2016ARCSA has a membership of extraordinary professionals from all facets of water conservation, safety, and industry leaders. Conversation with peers in the industry promotes best practices, new technology, and standards for the rainwater collection professional in order to better serve customers.

RainBank Rainwater Systems is committed to providing customers with the most up to date expertise in design, permitting and construction of potable and non potable rainwater collection systems. We encourage those in the industry to meet these challenges with continued education, evolvement, and knowledge of our industry and its practices. 

The mission of ARCSA Foundation is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable. non potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.  

RainBank Rainwater Systems president Ken Blair is a lifetime ARCSA member, Accredited Professional, Systems Inspector and Pacific Coast Regional Representative. Contact RainBank’s team for a professional, proactive approach to rainwater collection.

Rainwater Catchment

Are Decentralized Water Systems the Answer?

water-1587718_640As we shared in an earlier post, RainBank Rainwater Systems and Contain Water Systems Inc.  are attending the 16th annual American Rainwater Catchment Systems (ARCSA) conference in Las Vegas December 4th through the 8th.

While we’re working hard to learn new ways to bring the most modern rainwater harvesting products and practices to  you, here’s an oldie, but goodie from January 2015, that talks about decentralized water systems.

Rainwater collection, a simple source for decentralized water, 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 will become the new commodity. Much has been discussed about privatization of water districts in order to fund these expenses, turning these districts into “for profit” businesses.  Large corporations such as Nestlé are actively pursuing this new business model.

What effect will privatization and profit generating water companies have on water supplies? Will Wall Street play a part in the trading, much like oil or any other commodity? What then will happen to the average consumer? What level will supply and demand hold on the price and pricing of water?

Rainwater collection and use can play an important role in not only supply, but potentially help keep costs down for the consumer and water districts. Simple water conservation, along with  collection can decrease supply and demand by supplementing centralized water. A rainwater collection system used only for toilet flushing and laundry facilities can save the average home 50% of its use. Commercial buildings can supply their irrigation and toilet flushing needs with rainwater collection while saving thousands of cubic yards of centralized water consumption.

The supply and demand of centralized water can be mitigated with rainwater collection on a large scale by small supplementary rainwater collection systems for commercial and residential use.

If you can’t attend the ARCSA conference, be sure to stop back here for an update from us.

Rainwater Catchment

Seattle Stormwater and Drainage Code Compliance

roof gutter rainRainwater collection has become an integral part of Seattle’s construction projects, starting with design and architecture, to be in compliance with the new 2016 stormwater and drainage codes.  Collection and beneficial use can be key components toward compliance with these codes, which is especially important at the architectural design stage.

 Infiltration typically uses a detention system, which regulates and controls storm water runoff by slowing the rate of discharge to reduce impacts downstream, or a retention system, which stores stormwater runoff indefinitely, until it is lost through percolation, evaporation, or uptake by vegetation. Both are typical of rain gardens and small rain barrel systems.

Rainwater collection systems typically collect only roof runoff and conveys it to storage for future beneficial use. This can be for irrigation by combining detention and collection. Some Rainwise Program installations are combining these two in their approach toward best practices of stormwater management. Larger scale rainwater collection systems are typically comprised of corrugated steel water tanks used for irrigation, water closets, and wash down and can be included in the building’s design. 

RainBank Rainwater Systems works closely with owners, architects, engineers, and contractors in the process of design, through installation, to achieve the desired results of both efficiency and aesthetic. RainBank is a full service rainwater collection systems contracting company offering designs, permitting and construction throughout Washington State and Oregon. 

New codes and permitting can be complex and sometimes frustrating, especially when the rules change. We remove the guesswork of all requirements of city, county, and state agencies and new codes. All designs are custom engineered to meet specific design requirements while onsite management and installations are by ARCSA accredited installers and licensed plumbers. We only specify and install the most reliable, effective components and warranty our craftsmanship. 

RainBank Rainwater Systems is the right choice when it comes to Rainwater collection for design, components, and installations. Contact us for more information: