Tag Archives: aging infrastructure

Infrastructure, Sustainability

Water Is a Limited Resource We Can’t Live Without

polar-bear-484515_640As World Water Day 2016 approaches (March 22) , I’d like to share this throwback Thursday blog post with you as a reminder that water is a limited resource, without which life cannot be sustained.

As more and more cities are showing signs of water stress due to aging infrastructure, we must pay attention to the fact that Americans are being poisoned by their water supplies – and that is a public health crisis.

As we shared in 2015, “According to the World Water Development Report by the United Nations “A 40% shortfall of freshwater would be experienced as soon as 15 years.” Eight cities throughout the world were cited to witness severe fresh water shortages due to failing infrastructure, saltwater intrusion, sewage and plumbing failures, population growth, and pollution. The report went on to recommend actions of”… read more.

More about World Water Day: World Water Day is an international observance and an opportunity to learn more about water related issues, be inspired to tell others and take action to make a difference.

Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of water. For 2016, the theme is  ‘Water and Jobs’, to focus on the correlation between water, work and the push for sustainable development.

Infrastructure, Sustainability

Aging Infrastructure Is National Public Health Issue

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pipes-573482_640At 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?

Infrastructure, Residential Rainwater Collection

Can You Disconnect from a Municipal Water Supply?

drinking water from fountainWhile you cannot disconnect from most municipal water supplies in Washington State, you can include a non-potable rainwater collection system as a supplementary source statewide.

Since October 2009 Washington State legislature has accepted rainwater collection for non-potable use for residential and commercial application. Irrigation, toilet flushing, laundry facility and wash down are all acceptable usage of rainwater.

King, Jefferson, Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom counties have all adopted potable use of rainwater for a single-family residence as supplemental. Most allow for sole source or off grid use if there is a “hardship” involved with a well or community water source. Some cities within these counties do not allow potable use therefore it is recommended that homeowners who are considering rainwater harvesting should check with their county and city health departments for regulations and requirements.

RainBank’s President Ken Blair actively works with counties and cities to promote the practice of rainwater collection for potable use. With aging infrastructure, increasing demand, and water quality concerns, rainwater collection is being recognized as a viable source of drinking water.

Depending on your roof size, annual rainfall, and demand, you can supplement up to 100% of your household use. An average 2,000 square foot home with 36″ annual rainfall will yield over 44,000 gallons annually. Whether you are building a new home or own an existing home, urban or rural, rainwater catchment can provide a safe, reliable source of water, with quality of water exceeding most well and public water sources. A properly designed and constructed system with quality filtration and ultraviolet disinfection is easily maintained by the homeowner, allowing the homeowner to be in charge of their household water.

RainBank Rainwater Systems has been designing and installing potable rainwater catchment systems for 15 years and President Ken Blair is an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) accredited professional, Inspector Specialist, ARCSA Northwest Regional Representative, and lifetime ARCSA member.