Category Archives: Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Rainwater Collection Systems in Oregon & Northern California

Rainwater Collection Systems in Oregon & Northern CaliforniaWhile Seattle area is the main focus for RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems, we recognize the need for our rainwater harvesting expertise in Oregon and Northern California.

RainBank has recently completed a 10,000 gallon potable rainwater catchment system in Medford, Oregon, for a residence with a low producing well. With approximately 2,000 square feet of roof area and 18 inches of annual rainfall, 22,428 gallons can be collected. This stored water is enough to provide this household with water during the dry season and supplement well use during the rainy seasoned needed.

Many residences in the area are experiencing increased “drawdown” of their wells during the summer months. With an average of 18 inches annual rainfall, a supplementary rainwater collection system will augment a low producing well and provide household water during these dry months.

RainBank looks forward to working with local suppliers in these regions to increase awareness and use of rainwater collection for residential customers.

Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education, Residential Rainwater Collection

New International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance

New International Rainwater Harvesting AllianceContinuing its efforts to promote rainwater harvesting education and propagation, The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association and the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance recently announced a newly formed partnership to work for the inclusion of rainwater harvesting within integrated water resource management strategies and to promote the practice of recharge, retention and use of rainwater.

The mission of IRHA, formed in 2002, is to reinforce and unify the movement of the Rainwater Harvesters and to promote rainwater harvesting as a management of a water resource.

ARCSA, whose mission is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world, hopes the IRHA alliance is the first many.

ARCSA and IRHA agree it is important to raise awareness, share knowledge, and increase local water capacity through rainwater harvesting techniques and project implementation, resulting in local ownership and a shift of project management to non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders in developing countries.

To learn more about this historic partnership toward developing rainwater harvesting education and awareness, please click here.

“Water Drops In Green Stem” courtesy of SweetCrisis / www.freedigitalphotos.net

 

Rainwater Catchment

Can Rainwater Catchment Help Protect Resources that Attract Tourism?

Can Rainwater Catchment Help Protect Resources that Attract Tourism?Big Butte Springs supplies the majority of the Rogue Valley, OR water needs. Water usage at local residences is typically more than three times higher during the summer than the winter.

Can rainwater catchment help protect resources that attract tourism?

During the summer months, when water usage more than triples, Medford utilizes water from the Rogue River as well.  Annual rainfall is 18.31 inches, with only 1.87 inches of rainfall during the dry season (June through September).  A population of over 76,000  increases use dramatically during the summer months with tourism, contributing to the demand on water resources.

What are the effects of these demands on the river, the very attraction that draws tourists during those summer months?  Could the effects of the increased “draw down” of the river affect the salmon run?  What impact does this have on tourism for Medford, Oregon?

Conservation of a fragile ecosystem involves investing in alternative technologies (like rainwater catchment), changing or improving existing practices and implementing different measures to increase the sustainability of  our resources. Protecting our natural environment while protecting jobs in a small town dependent on summer tourism can be achieved with small practical changes.