Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

It’s Time to Get Serious About How We Choose to Use Water

Watering-76e7f031364af9f0a9a0e8545ae150d3The lingering and controversial California drought has unearthed some interesting views about how we prioritize how we use water. What if there was a way to conserve drinking water and STILL have enough to water our drought thirsty lawns or wash laundry – or to clean  trucks in a commercial facility?

The time has come to get serious about how we choose to use water!

Do you know that only one inch of rain can supply thousands of gallons of water for non-drinking uses?  Think in terms of lawn watering, toilet facilities and laundry for commercial and residential applications. The time has come to get serious about how we choose to use water; the reality is (especially in California) that there may not be enough for drinking one day – and sooner than you might think.

The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power has released a video that quickly points out the benefits to capturing rain water for use in irrigation.  Take a look at the video below and consider adding rainwater collection to your next residential or commercial project.

Infrastructure, Rainwater Catchment

Rain Harvesting in National Spotlight

waterfall-329155_1280The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, ARCSA, is a driving force in placing rain harvesting in the national spotlight by petitioning President Obama’s administration to focus on the broad economic value of supporting and encouraging growth in the rainwater harvesting industry.

According to ARCSA’s petition, rain harvesting is not just a sustainable source of water, the rainwater harvesting  industry is building infrastructure “creating new jobs in design, installation, education, R&D, sales, plumbing, landscaping, roofing, monitoring and maintenance, which could propel the U.S. to international leadership, with compounding fiscal benefits.”

The petition has been submitted and is seeking 100,000 signatures in order to qualify for an official response.  Please click here to read more and to sign the petition.

Rainwater Catchment

Drought Emergency Declared in Washington State

drought washington stateWhile rainfall amounts in Washington State are at 100%, it is the snowpack that has Governor Inslee expanding drought declarations.

Urban water supplies expect to be unaffected; the reservoirs are about where we want them to be. “The snow pack above Coulee Dam is running above normal”, according to Michael Hansen, Bonneville Power Administration. Hansen goes on to say, “We’re not anticipating that we’re going to have any problem meeting our obligations”.

20150414_wa_noneSnow pack in the Cascades is 7-50% of normal and the Olympics at only 7% at the end of March. The US Drought Monitor shows that the affected areas of “abnormally dry” is the North Eastern part of the state with the South Eastern being “moderately dry” while the Olympics are at “moderately dry”.

The reduced snow pack and its limited runoff, will have a negative effect on in stream flow rates in most of our rivers this summer. Joe Stohr, Department of Fish and Wildlife, commented that “Drought could also reduce streamflows that make it harder for fish to migrate.” It is expected that rural areas will see more of the effects than urban areas such as Seattle, Tacoma, etc. But, this could change, as we get further into the normally drier months.

Most of us aren’t even aware that the last statewide drought declaration was in 2005, because of large reservoirs and reserves. We’re fortunate for our climate and our mountains to make drought conditions short lived. With a little conservation and emergency procedures for irrigation of our farmlands, little effects on our lives will be experienced. Reduction of demand on wells will help our in stream flow rates, and temporary closures or limits on fishing will help our salmon. Conservation now rather than waiting to see what happens is good policy. While it is unlikely we will ever see drought like California is experiencing, we should practice measures to ensure our natural habitat and protect it for future generations in Washington State. Simple conservation techniques will support a healthy environment and balance of our eco system.

Rainwater Systems