Tag Archives: featured

Potable, Rainwater Catchment

Proactive in the Advancement of Rainwater Collection


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.RainBank has always been proactive in the advancement of rainwater collection. We designed and built the first potable system in Seattle, as well asthe first potable systems in Skagit, Jefferson, and Whatcom Counties.

Additionally, we havebeen designing and building rainwater collection systems for potable and non potable demands for more than15 years throughout Washington and Oregon.

RainBank beganin San Juan County, which at that time, was the only county that allowed rainwater harvesting in the state. San Juan County had an exemption to the state’s water rights laws that considered rainwater a tributary and therefore not subject to those laws. It wasn’t until 2009 that Department of Ecology convinced the legislature that rainwater collection was beneficial and therefore should be allowed. More counties began to come on board to allowthe use of treated rainwater for potable use, with King County adopting in 2011. Since then, many counties in Western Washington now allow the practice, but there are still those who have not.

We were recently contacted by a customer from Wahkiakum county in southwest Washington, who wishedto use rainwater collection for potable use on his property. The spring that was grandfathered in did not pass the last well report and was deemed unsafe for consumption. I petitioned the county health department for acceptanceof a sole source potable system and was told they never heard of the practice. I sent documentation fromDepartment of Ecology, King County policies, ARCSA (American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association), a list of Washington counties that have adopted rainwater use, a few case studies, and our website.

I am pleased to announce that Wahkiakum County responded that they will consider a design for residential potable use for this project.

It is through experience, expertise and commitment that RainBank Rainwater Systems is the leader in Washington State’s rainwater catchment industry.

Sustainability

Orcas Island Students Embrace Farm to School


People gathered outdoors in a garden setting on a sunny day.According to the National Farm to School Network, “Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and preschools.”

We wrote about this last year when Orcas Island School embraced the concept:

RainBank Rainwater Systems is very pleased to learn that the Farm to Cafeteria program is flourishing at Orcas Island School, thanks, in part to the Orcas Island Education Foundation.

Group of children and an adult near a large black tank outdoors.RainBank was asked to construct a system and then teach the children about rainwater collection and water conservation. The water is collected from the school’s roof and stored in a 5,000-gallon cistern to be used for irrigation of a vegetable garden. The vegetables are used as part of the school lunch program and to teach the students about sustainability.

“Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities. NFSN provides vision, leadership and support at the state, regional and national levels to connect and expand the farm to school movement, which has grown from a handful of schools in the late 1990s to approximately 40,000 schools in all 50 states as of 2012. Click to learn more about farm to school nationwide.

Four boys holding green vegetables in a garden on a sunny day.The Orcas Island School garden is flourishing and community involvement is extraordinary. We are proud to part of this exceptional project and hope other communities will offer similar programs. Sustainability is the future for these young persons.

We all benefit when our children have the opportunity to learn about, but also have access to healthy, local foods.

Sustainability

Benchmark for Future Generations – Heron Hall


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.We first announced RainBank’s involvement in Heron Hall almost two years ago. Project founder and homeowner Jason McLennan is considered one of the most influential individuals in the green building movement today.

Heron Hall is a Benchmark for Future Generations

Planning has come to fruition and the challenge of building Heron Hall, Jason McLennan’sleading edge green project and Living Building homeon Bainbridge Island, WA is in full swing.

Read more about Jason and the project below:

RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems principal Ken Blair is pleased to bea member ofthe Engineering and Consultant Team for Jason McLennan’s Heron Hall, aliving building homeMcLennan is the CEO of the International Living Future Institute, a non profit organization behind the world’s most progressive and stringent green building guidance system. He is the creator ofthe Living Building Challenge and heads Cascadia Green Building Council, the Pacific Northwest chapter for the US Green Building Council and the Canada Green Building Council.

Jason speaks about the living building challenge:

McLennan states, “it’s not enough for architects, construction companies, and real estate management companies to focus on reducing their environmental impact.The time is right to be far more ambitious, think instead about recharging and replenishing our planet“, explains Jason.

Click here to read about Heron Hall.

As the world seeks workable answers to sustainablebuilding practices, Heron Hall will be a benchmark for this and future generations to follow.