Category Archives: Residential Rainwater Collection

Potable, Residential Rainwater Collection

Potable Residential Rainwater Use is On the Rise

Popotable residential rainwater collectiontable residential use of collected rainwater is on the rise since the statewide water rights laws were challenged in 2006 by the Washington Department of Ecology, allowing the entire state of Washington to collect and use rainwater for non-potable (non-drinking) use. San Juan County had been awarded an exemption to the 1800’s water rights laws and was already issuing  residential building permits with rainwater collection as the only source of water. RainBank’s president, Ken Blair, was personally awarded a building permit in 2002 for his “water availability” being the only source of water for his household. It was not the first, but was certainly at the forefront of rainwater collection’s progression and, throughout the years, RainBank, has continued with that effort.

For close to 20 years, RainBank has shared its deep rainwater collection knowledge, working with many counties as they move toward increased adoption of potable residential rainwater collection systems for single family residences, and remains committed to providing quality engineered designs, professionally installed.

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Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection, Sustainability

Heron Hall’s Sustainable System

RainBank Rainwater Systems was pleased to work with 2020 Engineering and Jason McLennan on Heron Hall’s rainwater collection system.

While we at RainBank design our systems to be sustainable with no change to the customer’s lifestyle, we recognize that conservation is the key to water demands throughout the world.

Heron Hall exemplifies the concept of sustainable living and conservation of all resources and is a testament to the passion of change in order to use less in order to gain more for all. Please take the time to read through Jason’s article and find yourself inspired as well.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Seattle Home Saves Money on Water Bills

Four giant cisterns under the front porch collect and store up to 10,000 gallons of rainwater, used as the home’s primary water source. “Water gets purified by a series of filters and UV treatment and is used throughout the house,” says homeowner Andri Kofmehl. “When the tanks run low, the house can be supplied with utility water.” (Steve Ringman/The Seattle Times)

According to an article in The Seattle Times, a West Seattle family “live in Seattle’s second Built Green Emerald Star home, a supremely certified, super-sustainable showcase of so many features…”

The home, constructed by net-zero specialists TC Legend Homes, was built to the organization’s highest standard by TC Legend Homes and was featured on the 2018 Northwest Green Home Tour this past April.

With a design from RainBank Rainwater Systems, the home also features on-site cisterns that can hold 10,000 gallons of rainwater. According to Built Green program manager Leah Missik, “with a net-zero home plus a 70 percent reduction in water use, you can factor in you’re probably going to get money back from Seattle City Light for electricity, and you will save significantly on your water and sewage bills, and the upfront costs are mitigated.”

Homeowner Veena Prasad says “There’s a sense that going green sounds great, but people feel it’s too expensive or too much work. We need that extra push; sometimes that inspiration helps. When people see someone like us can do this — you don’t have to be a rich, retired executive; it’s something the middle class can aspire to. If we can do our bit to help inspire, we’re happy to do that.”

As we mentioned in our recent blog post titled Net-Zero Home Wins With RainBank Design, sustainable homes don’t necessarily have to cost more, plus can give you a higher return on your investment.