Tag Archives: California drought

Rainwater Catchment

Drought and Climate Change Fuel Demand for Rainwater Collection

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clouds-21041_640For Immediate Release

For more info, contact Sonia Schenker
[email protected], www.rainbank.info

August 5, 2015

Drought and Climate Change Fuel Demand for Rainwater Collection

Climate change is undeniably altering the global landscape. Here in the US, President Obama’s Clean Power Plan addresses the climate predicament by introducing a new rule requiring power plants to cut carbon dioxide emissions to 32 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

In one of the most severe droughts on record, Californians are forced to conserve water, and after Governor Brown’s mandate, have reduced water use by 27.3% in the first month that the new emergency conservation regulation was in effect. Many Californians have begun collecting rainwater and graywater, learning that even a small amount of rain goes a long way when watering plants and flushing toilets.

In Washington State, the record shattering hot, dry weather is affecting stream flows and endangering fish, as more than 80 percent of Washington’s rivers and streams are running at below normal or record low flows. The health department reports that water systems are switching to emergency water supplies, driven by the demand for water created by 90-degree temperatures.

Since 2013, RainBank Rainwater Systems has experienced a striking increase in projects for potable and non-potable rainwater collection system designs and installations for commercial and residential applications. While located in the Seattle area, covering King County, many requests for systems come from Skagit County, as residents are affected by limited water availability due to the Skagit Instream Flow Rule. A good portion of rainwater systems on the San Juan Islands were built by RainBank, with most of them still operating effectively, even more than ten years later. With drought conditions deepening, RainBank also receives inquiries from Oregon and northern California.

In line with its progressive attitude toward the flourishing rainwater collection industry, RainBank is pleased to announce that it has assembled a team of professionals to meet the increased demand for rain harvesting systems:

kenKen Blair, President, ARCSA AP, IS

A rainwater collection systems designer and consultant, Ken has designed and installed residential and commercial, potable and non potable systems, primarily in the northwest United States for 15 years and, also consults for and manages builds nationwide. Ken is an accredited ARCSA Professional, Inspector Specialist, Designer / Installer and Life Member, a Pacific Coastal Regional ARCSA representative and advisor to its education committee. Architects, engineers, government agencies and related professional associations rely on Ken to provide lectures or participate on expert panels to discuss Rainwater Collection Systems design and builds. Ken is a United States Navy veteran, having served on active duty during the Vietnam War era. He attained the rate of E-4 Machinist Mate.

Chad LindslyChad Lindsly:  Chad has been an energetic member of the RainBank team since September 2013, working as a consultant, designer, foreman and installer of residential and commercial rainwater systems. A mechanical engineer, Chad earned a degree from Michigan State University and has seven years’ project management with a focus on resource conservation – including water collection, reuse and treatment for residential and manufacturing processes.  He also has four years’ previous experience in commercial and residential building and residential renovation. Chad’s strong pull toward sustainability is prevalent in his solid work ethic, which makes him a good fit for RainBank’s progressive outlook toward rainwater systems.

TracyBellTracy Bell:  As a former co-owner of Clearview Mechanical Inc., Tracy brings his 30+ years’ experience in alternative energy and water systems, commercial and residential new construction & renovation, off-grid and semi-grid living, and problem solving skills to the RainBank team. A Seattle native, Tracy is a 30-year licensed Journeyman commercial plumber and pipefitter; a licensed commercial property and residential home inspector.  Tracy is an avid organic gardener, enthusiastic fisherman, treasure hunter, reclaimed and sustainable materials artist; and he is an ardent social entrepreneur.

Sonia Schenker HeadshotSonia Schenker, Administrator
(Chief Virtual Officer):  Sonia has worked behind the scenes as an administrator for RainBank since January 2010. She has 25 plus years’ experience as an executive administrative assistant and also teaches modern office options to adults seeking to improve workplace skills. Based in the northeast US, Sonia manages and advises on all business aspects for RainBank Rainwater Systems, including blog, website and social media management and overall business strategy.

Rainwater collection is a sustainable tool for combatting climate change, drought and aging infrastructure.

As rainwater collection for potable and non-potable applications moves into the mainstream, RainBank encourages prospective users, commercial and residential, to vet a potential designer, contractor or installer and use only those that have the appropriate credentials to ensure systems meet all technical, legal and health mandates.

About RainBank Rainwater Systems: RainBank is an ARCSA accredited designer and installer of rainwater systems for both potable (drinking water) and non-potable for landscaping irrigation and toilet flushing. RainBank’s full-service approach offers design, installation and packaged systems from 2,500 gallons to 50,000 gallons. RainBank’s customers are eco-friendly homeowners and commercial establishments. RainBank provides customers with an integrated, progressive and modern approach to sustainable water systems.

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To download this media release, click here.

Infrastructure, Sustainability

Going from Gray to Green

graywaterIn one northern California community, an area ravaged by a four year drought, residents are watering their lawns using gray water – water that has been recycled.

The community of El Dorado Hills has one of the oldest water recycling programs in the state – reusing water for any purpose that doesn’t require a potable standard.

‘”All your shower water, all your toilet water, dishwater, everything that goes down your sinks, comes to this facility and we clean it up,” El Dorado Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor of Operations Alan Planje said.

A bonus is that customers save about 35% on their water bills. But another extremely important benefit comes from the fact that the community saves 4.5 million gallons of drinking water per day, by not wasting it on watering lawns.

“It is part of the culture, when homes are built in El Dorado Hills, they come with plumbing for recycled water,” El Dorado Irrigation District Manger of Wastewater/Recycled Water Margaret Washko said.

Dual plumbing systems are built into each home in the community, one for potable water and a purple pipe system for the gray water to water lawns and even the golf course.

To read and hear more about this story, visit http://www.news10.net/story/news/local/eldorado-hills/2015/07/15/el-dorado-hills-keeps-green-lawns-with-gray-water/30165413/

Photo credit: El Dorado Irrigation District

Sustainability

Californians Rise to Calls to Cut Water Use

watering-791312_640As reported in the Los Angeles Times, Californians  have risen to calls to cut water use and achieved an overall 29% reduction during May 2015, exceeding Gov. Brown’s mandate that use be cut by 25% statewide.

The state’s hard hitting push to educate residents of the dire need to change habits through sustainable landscaping, upgrading appliances and simply by taking shorter showers, has clearly had a positive effect.

The article reports: ‘The savings are based on data submitted by the more than 400 urban water suppliers, which must meet or exceed specified savings beginning in June or face potential fines. Among those water suppliers that showed significant improvements in the latest round of reporting were the California Water Service-Bakersfield, with a 37% cut; Orange County’s Serrano Water District, with a 43% reduction; and Riverside County’s Lake Hemet Municipal Water District, with a 49% savings.”

Way to go Californians – keep up the good work! Your diligence will be absolutely necessary throughout the summer, but with a few more good months under your belts, continued education and outreach, and by maintaining sustainable living habits, you can make meaningful and long-lasting modifications.