Storm water is a concern in the Puget Sound area. Storm drains are overwhelmed during a large event resulting in sewage being released in our waterways. Fish, shellfish, and marine animals experience the brunt of these spills. Plus, toxins from roof run-off enter our storm water systems with every rainfall. Roof runoff carries oil from our driveways into the drain system and into the Puget Sound. Pesticides, fertilizers, and pet fecal matter is carried from or roof runoff into the street drainage system and into the storm water resulting in these pollutants entering the ecosystem.
By collecting the rainwater from our roofs and redirecting it to be used for irrigation, laundry facilities, toilet flushing, and potable whole house usage, residential runoff can be greatly reduced causing less impact on our environment.
The State of Washington has allowed rainwater collection for residential and commercial usage since 2009.
- The Washington State Dept. of Ecology encourages rainwater harvesting
- The King County Council supports rainwater catchment in the Seattle area
- The city of Seattle encourages rainwater collection
- Seattle Public Utilities recommends rainwater collection as part of a solution to storm water runoff
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Here in the Seattle area we are fortunate to have enough rainfall to sustain a rainwater collection system year-round. Whether a rainwater catchment system is designed to supplement city water usage, or a larger system designed at the sole source of water for your home, a rainwater collection system will save money on water bills and provide good clean drinking water for your home.
In urban areas, or within Seattle city limits where space is more of an issue, smaller volumes of storage can be used with buried water tanks or slim line design water storage tanks. As little as 3,000 gallons of storage can supplement a house as much as 70 to 80%.
RainBank Rainwater Catchment Systems is currently building two 5300 gallon water storage tanks for Kirkland Public Safety building. The collected water will be used for irrigation for the newly remodeled building.
