Category Archives: Rainwater Harvesting Education

How-to, Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

What Kind of Pump is Used to Transfer Water Stored in Rainwater Collection?

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This is Part 7 in the series “How to Build a Rainwater Collection System”.  Click to see parts one, two, three, four,  five and six.

What Kind of Pump is Used to Transfer Water Stored in Rainwater Collection?Either a submersible pump or centrifugal pressure pump will be required to transfer water from storage to filtration and use. A submersible pump will need means of regulating flow.

A pressure tank with a pressure switch will tell the pump when to turn on and off by a drop of pressure in the pressure tank. This application is much like well system and is intended for household use. It could be used for irrigation, but keep in mind that the pressure tank will need to be frost protected.

What Kind of Pump is Used to Transfer Water Stored in Rainwater Collection?The most common method of conveyance would be a booster pump. These pumps are generally centrifugal pumps and can be placed in the mechanical room or well shed.  A centrifugal booster pump is used without an exterior pressure tank and is considered an “on demand” pump, meaning that when the faucet is opened, the pressure in the pump drops down to low pressure – usually 20 PSI, and the pump will start running and maintain constant pressure while the faucet is open.  Once the faucet is closed, the pump will continue to run until it meets its high pressure cut off.

Either pump system should always be used before filtration and disinfection — which will be our next topic.

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Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

How To Check Rainwater Harvesting Company Credentials

RBRWC924158How can I be sure that the person and company designing and installing my rainwater collection system is qualified? 

ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) is a non profit organization designed to educate and promote rainwater collection.

Seminars, conferences, continuing education, and resources are a few advantages that ARCSA members can benefit from, giving ARCSA members a host of opportunities to advance in the industry. After all it was ARCSA members that introduced Rainwater Collection to be a viable source for water and storm water runoff solutions.

RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems is a lifetime member and an accredited professional of ARCSA, as well as a leader in design and installations in the Seattle Area and throughout Washington State.

Here are some frequently asked questions covered by ARCSA.

How-to, Rainwater Harvesting Education

Concerned With Aesthetics of Above Ground Water Storage?

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This is Part 6 in the series “How to Build a Rainwater Collection System”.  Click to see parts one, two, three, four and five.

Concerned With Aesthetics of Above Ground Water Storage?Are you concerned with the aesthetics of above ground water storage?  Then underground storage may be right for you.

Underground storage tanks need to be structurally engineered to withstand the inward pressures of back filling and compacting. Most will need to be weighted down so ground water will not “float” the tank when empty.  It is advised that a curtain drain be installed at bottom of excavation to allow excess ground water to drain away for the same reason.

Buried tanks can be fiberglass, plastic, and cement. Large sizes (over 2,000 gallons) tend to be fiberglass, while smaller plastic tanks (up to 2,000 gallons) can be manifolded together to achieve the desired capacity. Cement tanks should be lined with a poly liner and “mono poured” when constructed.

Other specialty tanks consist of modular which are may be buried and bladder or pillow tanks that can be placed in crawl spaces.

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