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Rainwater Catchment

Is Rainwater Collection for Potable Use the Answer to Skagit County’s Instream Flow Rule?


A red salmon leaping upstream near a waterfall.In a statement posted December 2013, Jack Moore, CBCO building official writes, “Skagit County is legally required to stop issuing building permits and subdivision approvals in the Skagit Basin that rely on new wells, unless Ecology approves a plan for mitigation or a plan for reliance on a alternative water source during times when minimum in stream flow requirements set in WAC 173-503 are not met.”

With the decision of the state legislature in October of 2009, rainwater collection is legal throughout the state with many County Health Departments adopting for potable usage. Rainwater collection for decentralized potable usage has proven to be a safe, reliable source as an “alternate water source”. Skagit County considers rainwater collection for potable use as a policy and can be legally challenged at this time. The system must be designed by an engineer with knowledge in water systems and be approved by the Health Department.

Spawning coho | Photo:Soggydan/Flickr/Creative Commons License

Rainwater Catchment

Is Decentralized Water and Sewer the Answer to the Puget Sound Region’s Aging Infrastructure?

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Ferry sailing with snowy mountains in the background.With population growth in the Seattle and surrounding area, the effects of thisgrowth, demand, and aging infrastructure will impact our water and sewer systems economically.

Estimates of costs to upgrade and expand existing systems over the next 20 years are 6.5 billion dollars. According to Luna Leopold, Cascadia Green Building Council, the new “Green Infrastructure Initiative” promotes low- impact development and natural storm water systems.

“It’s our hope that this study, combined with our extensive outreach and advocacy efforts, will spur a broad movement toward more ecological sound water practices and procedures. Greater support for smaller scale, decentralized systems is crucial if we are serious about addressing the negative impacts related to how we manage water and waste.” Explains Jason McLennan CEO of Cascadia Building Council western region.

Click hereto read more aboutHealthy, Resilient Water Systems in the Puget Sound.

Photo: By Grace from Seattle, USA (Puget Sound ferriesUploaded by X-Weinzar) [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

RainBank to Share Expertise at Rainwater Collection Conference

RainBank to Share Expertise at Rainwater Collection Conference
By Flickr user: Anne Hornyak Chicago, Illinois http://www.annehornyak.com [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons
“Seattle is a progressive city where rainwater collection is becoming mainstream – whether it be small residential supplementary systems or large scale commercial systems. All have a positive impact on storm water management and I am proud to be a part of the process. I would like to thank all my customers, past, present, and future for their commitment to helping our region’s environment.”, Ken Blair, president, RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems.

June 29, 2014 – Seattle, WA. RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems’ president Ken Blair has been invited to be a guest speaker at the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association 2014 annual conference in Phoenix, Arizona on November 17th. Ken is honored to be recognized among his peers as a leader in rainwater collection and storm water management.

Ken will  discuss “urban rainwater case studies”, an in depth look at decentralized water systems for commercial and residential application in the Seattle area. Both potable and non potable systems designed and constructed by RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems will be highlighted, with emphasis on reduction of storm water run off.

The time is now for Seattle to be recognized as a leader in Green Storm Water Infrastructure. Protecting our natural environment from the pollutants from storm water run off is essential for our way if life in the Pacific North West.