Infrastructure, Sustainability

Aging Infrastructure Is National Public Health Issue

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Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.At RainBank, we’ve been talking about how aging infrastructure will affect public water systems. Now, we have to change that conversation to how aging infrastructure IS affecting public water systems.

The poisoning of the population in Flint, MI is an issue that Erin Brockovich has been alerting us about since the public water system changed sources in 2014.

According to NPR, in an article titled Beyond Flint, MI, St. Joseph, Louisiana has been experiencing problems with its aging water system for ten years. The article quotes a local resident as saying: “What’s happening here in St. Joseph got the attention it’s gotten because Flint has made water a public issue,” he says. “And what I try to tell people is, this isn’t just happening in St. Joseph or in Flint. It’s happening in Louisiana, it’s happening in Kentucky and Tennessee and Mississippi and in areas of poor and disenfranchised communities across the country.”

Now, Ohio gets added to the mix, as Two Ohio EPA staffers on leave over lead in village’s water. According to CNN, State Rep. John Boccieri and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni said late last month that the Ohio EPA knew lead was leaking into Sebring’s water supply as far back as August, citing reports from Ream & Haager Laboratory, a state-certified vendor that conducted water tests.

This is a national public health issue. Do you know what levels of toxins are in your water?

Environment, Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Where Will the Next Water Crisis Happen?


A school of fish swimming in shallow, rocky water.Flint Water Crisis Deepens

As investigations deepen, the Flint, Michigan water crisis has exposed “leadership failures at every level” (according to an article in the Detroit Free Press quoting U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz), citing “festering” long term problems and questioning the EPA’s level of attention as lead levels in Flint’s water rose to poisonous intensities.

As such, we’d like to bring you a throwback Thursday post to highlight an agency that is being proactive about ensuring that homeowners have access to and control of their water supplies.

Last year, the Skagit County Planning Department issued its first residential building permit with rainwater collection as the sole source of water. This move came in response to the in stream flow rule, which impeded Skagit Valley residential property development. Read more…

We here at RainBank believe there are good folks at governmental agencies who are being progressive about ensuring public health and safety by providing ways for residents to have access to clean, safe drinking water – a basic human right.

Residential Rainwater Collection

Seattle Households Benefit From Rainwater Collection Year-Round


Seattle skyline featuring the Space Needle under a cloudy sky.With an average annual rainfall amount of 37.5″, the Seattle area is an ideal environment for rainwater collection, since Seattle area households see a moderate climate compared to other cities in the United States. Summers are generally short and winters are fairly moderate.

Let’s take a look at an average 2,500 sq. ft. home in Seattle, which can easily sustain itself while using rainwater collection for whole household use.

Autumn rainfall averages around 11.55″, filling tanks from the past summer’s use quickly with 17,911 gallons of water available for collection. Winter averages are around 14.42″ or the equivalent of 22,459 gallons available to keep tanks full. Spring continues with 13,036 gallons from an average of 8.37″, allowing levels to remain high. Even summer at an average of 3.15″ or 4.906 gallons available should keep tank levels from going dry to be filled again in the fall.

Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.Depending on use, an average Seattle home can sustain itself on harvested rainwater without any change in lifestyle for the residents. The average demand from one occupant is 35 gallons per day or 1,050 per month -not including irrigation. Being connected to city water allows for a back up supply. Even with a small amount of storage, a supplemental system can conserve city water supplies and save money, by providing full usage during the wet periods. Future weather patterns predict wetter warmer winters and hotter, dryer summers. A look a last year’s averages on the above graph suggests this to be true. Rainwater collection is a perfect fit for Seattle residents whether non-potable or potable use is desired.

Rainwater Systems