RainBank Rainwater Systems designed and installed a potable rainwater collection system for a remodel in Seattle City limits. The customer wanted to supplement city water usage with “as much storage as possible”, but had very limited space and aesthetics were a main concern. The solution came with two 5,000 gallon buried water tanks in the middle of a very small backyard.
Always appreciating a challenge, RainBank dug right in with its awesome excavator, Shane, who managed to export over 120 square yards of soil off site, set the dead men anchors, and nestle the two fiberglass tanks in place with the touch of a feather. The buried tanks were strapped to the dead men (anchoring) and connected together with a 4″ crossover valve. He then backfilled 80% with 5/8″ drain rock while Chad, RainBank’s engineer, took careful deflection readings to be sure the fiberglass tanks were not being distorted during the process.
Our plumber, Tracy did a great job of use of space on this project. Using 4’x 20′ canisters with sediment, carbon, and 1 micron sediment for cyst removal, followed by a class “A” UV, the filtration train provides potable whole house demand. The system was designed to be easily maintained so the homeowner can be his own purveyor of clean, safe, reliable water. With the amount of collection area, annual rainfall and frequency, this two person occupancy should be able to meet 100% of its household use, but also have city water as a backup, just in case.
Many thanks to our customer for sending us this email note. “A big thank you to you for giving us our water system. We are enjoying our “free” water immensely.”