Category Archives: Rainwater Harvesting Education

Rainwater Harvesting Education

Rainwater Collection and Developing Countries

Along with advancing rainwater collection in the United States, RainBank is also instrumental in promoting rainwater collection in developing countries.

In July 2013, RainBank and Bank on Rain, a non-profit organization providing solutions to developing countries for clean drinking water, flew a team to Sierra Leone, Africa to assist with providing clean drinking water and sanitation education to school children.

Here’s an update from Ken in 2013:

Rainwater Collection in Developing Countries

 “Well it looks like the Sierra Leone crew has been busy. They have made all the blocks for their new water tank and for another tank that we will build in Allentown for another school. This crew has started a business with our block press and is now making a little money. We will use this crew to teach the Allentown school and if they want to start a small business as well, we will purchase a press for them. So not only are we providing a safe water source, we have started to help young entrepreneurs. VERY SATISFYING!! Sounds like we will head over there in about 2 – 3 weeks. Looking forward to seeing my friends and colleagues again in Sierra Leone Africa.”

RainBank believes it’s not only important to design and build the best available rainwater systems, but we believe it is vital to share our knowledge because safe drinking water is a right, not a privilege.

 

Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

Rainwater Collection Main Topic at IAPMO

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) invited Chad Lindsly of RainBank Rainwater Systems to speak at its chapter meeting in Seattle.

According to its website, “The ASSE International Chapter of IAPMO, LLC, is an ANSI-accredited standards developer and product certification body comprised of individual and sustaining members who represent all disciplines of the plumbing and mechanical industries. Its mission is to continually improve the performance, reliability and safety of plumbing and mechanical systems.”

The presentation and discussion led by Lindsly included benefits of rainwater collection, feasibility, mitigation of stormwater, urban planning, permitting process and ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI standard 63, and codes .

It was a good turnout of representatives from King County Health (KCH), Seattle Public Utilities (SPU), and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE).

RainBank Rainwater Systems is an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA)  lifetime member business with active Accredited Professional (AP) status. We at RainBank are dedicated to educating regulatory agencies about standards and best practices commonly used in the industry.

We look forward to future discussions of Rainwater Collection with interested parties.

Contact us below to schedule a presentation for your group or organization.

Environment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

California Water Conservation Advised

While the California drought may have significantly improved with recent heavy rain and snowfall, it would be a stretch to declare it over. A series of Pacific rain filled storms have increased the storage in reservoirs, lakes and snowpack, but the need for continued conservation is still advised. Large, infrequent rain events do little for long term supply demands. A good deal of the event simply equates to stormwater with little effect on the aquifers. According to Richard Tinker with NOAA Climate Center, “Groundwater levels have not responded as one might expect and remain critically low… water supply is dependent on groundwater.”  Without replenishment from more frequent rainfall, reservoir levels will once again decrease. By lessening the demand from public water supplies, recoveries can retain their water for longer periods or until the next large rainstorm.

California has embraced rainwater collection since early February 2013. As of September 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed several new bills into law that impact California water supplies, including cutting down on excessive water use and making the most of stormwater. Now is the time for California to implement additional legislation allowing expansion of rainwater collection with incentive programs and rebates. With increasing population and its increased demands on water supplies, Californians will witness water shortages again.  Richard Santos, director of Santa Clara Valley Water District sums up the need of conservation as “Water conservation is a way of life. It’s not going to change. We’re an arid region for the rest of our lives. History will repeat itself. Like all good people, we put money in the bank for those rainy days that don’t come.”

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) has a growing presence in California with scheduled Rainwater Catchment Workshops. According to ARCSA, “With the ongoing water crisis in California, this workshop will focus on the central and southern California coast and inland communities. Residents of California are encouraged to attend to learn to capture stormwater, and rainwater while creating additional “reservoirs” to store water for future beneficial uses. You can’t use it if you don’t store it!”

Photo Credit: SF Gate – Photo: Top, Frances Low/DWR. Bottom, Walt Warneke