The price range of rainwater collection is as wide as there are different designs. A rainwater collection system can be as simple and as inexpensive as a rain barrel with a single downspout collecting from a small amount of roof. Generally a homeowner can purchase and install the components for this type of introductory system. Small irrigation needs are the key here. Water usage can easily exceed storage.

For larger usage needs, more storage will be required to get through the “dry season”. Based on 3 months of dry and your water consumption requirements, this will help determine total storage needed. Above ground poly tanks are the most economical, with pricing starting around $.55 cents per gallon stored.

Having a system with multiple uses will help the system to be used more efficiently. If you want to irrigate, why not use the water that would normally overflow  during the rainy season to supplement household usage such as toilet flushing and laundry facility? You have the water available in the summer for irrigating and during the rainy season, you’re getting use and reducing your water and septic bill. This type of design and use will help reduce the cost of your system by supplementing city water use.

Or, you may choose to have your rainwater collection system be your primary water for whole house including potable. The price depends on  type of storage, style of storage, and complexity of design. But, with larger systems you get more “bang for your buck” per gallon stored.

You can make rainwater collection affordable with the right design.

Ken Blair

President at RainBank Rainwater Systems

A rainwater collection systems designer and consultant, Ken has designed and installed residential and commercial systems, primarily in the northwest United States for more than 10 years and, in 2014, began consulting and managing builds in other states. Ken is an accredited ARCSA Professional Designer / Installer and Life Member, the Northwest Regional ARCSA representative and advisor to its education committee and is available to speak about Rainwater Collection Systems design and builds.

Ken is a United States Navy veteran, having served on active duty during the Vietnam War era.

A career entrepreneur, Ken created a new business focus with a commercial dive company in Hawaii in the mid 1980′s to respond to and clean up oil spills, oil spill equipment training, service and maintenance for the oil co-op service industry. Ken is passionate about having a positive impact on the environment and is also a founding director of BANK-ON-RAIN (2011-2014), whose mission is to create grassroots solutions for rainwater collection for consumption and agriculture in developing areas of the planet.