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Poisoned Water in Flint Michigan is Unsafe


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Residents of Flint lined up on Friday to get cases of bottled water distributed by members of the Michigan National Guard. Credit Brittany Greeson for The New York Times

Let it be clear that the team at RainBank does not embrace a scare tactic or doomsday philosophy. We wholeheartedly embrace the principle that safe, clean water is a basic human right.The poisoned public water situation in Flint, Michigan is outrageous – deplorable and unconscionable.

The Washington Post has compiled a timeline of this water crisis. Click here to view.

As reported inthe New York Times, the city of Flint, MI, was in a state of receivership from 2011 to 2015. This means the city had its finances controlled by a string of four emergency managers. One of these administrators tried to save money by drawing water from the Flint River.

In doing so, the public water system became poisonous. Folks immediately reported that the color, odor and taste of the water was bad and bacterial contamination was found. However, chemicals used to disinfect the water caused a different kind of contamination, but state officials contended that the water was safe. [Editor’s note – ARE YOU KIDDING ME?]

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Exemplary pictures looking into Flint drinking water pipes, showing different kinds of iron corrosion and rust (Photo: Min Tang and Kelsey Pieper) http://flintwaterstudy.org/tag/drinking-water/

So, even though they now have a safe water supply, the Flint River water was so corrosive, it had caused lead to leach from the pipes. The NY Times article further reports “…it is unclear how long the leaching will continue. Flint is a member of a regional water authority that is building a new pipeline to bring water from Lake Huron, which should be operational later this year.”

The entire incident is being investigated by the Michigan Attorney General’s office and the National Guard has begun distributing bottled water, filters and testing kits to residents.

Adults and children were poisoned by this blatant and alarming disregard for the basic human right to access safe, clean water from a public water system. While authorities have begun the process to right the wrong, it will probably take tens of years to deal with the harm that was inflicted on the folks who trusted that their water was safe.

Steel Water Tanks Have 20 Year Warranty


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface. Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface. Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.

RainBank Rainwater Systems is the Northwest Pinnacle Steel Water Tank dealer and Contain Tank Systems Inc. certified installer.

Contain Water Systems Inc. has been involved in the manufacturing, design, engineering and distribution of corrugated steel liquid storage tanks for a total of 36 years.

RainBank Rainwater Systems has been designing and building rainwater collection systems in Washington for the past 15 years. The combinedexperience of Pinnacle, Contain and RainBank is unmatched in the Western United States.

Contain Water Systems Inc. supplies only the highestquality productClose-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.s and works hard to stay on the leading edge with innovative and engineered water tank designs. Contain Water Systems Inc. CGS (Corrugated Galvanized Steel) Water Storage Tanks are tested and engineered to meet or exceed all standard municipal wind, seismic, and snow loads required by the Uniform Building Code.
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Contain Water Storage Water Tanks are overlapped and hand bolted together on site, creating a double thickness of steel that enhances the durability and strength of the tank. Tanks have double row bolting on thevertical seams, rather than the single row bolting found on other manufacturers’ tanks. Ground level, through the liner access hatch for safety duringconstruction andmaintenance requires no confined space entry permitting.

All this – and an unrivaled 20-yearwarranty make Contain Water Systems’ steel tanks the obvious choice.

Workers use cranes to unload large metal tanks at an industrial site.With more than5 yearsofconstruction of steel water tanks and 15 years of residential tank construction in the Northwest, when these tanks are built and installedby RainBank Rainwater Systems, it insures that the job is done right.

RainBank Rainwater Systems stand behind itswork with Experience, Safety, and Knowledge and will get the job done right the first time with on site project management.

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What Storage is Best for a Rainwater Collection System?


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.Storage for domestic, household use (potable) is required by code to be NSF approved for drinking water. RainBank Rainwater Systems of Seattle recommends that any storage for residential systems meet this standard. An irrigation system can be converted to domestic use safely if the cistern is NSF approved.

Available space, along with aesthetics, should be considered in what type of watertankbest suits the intent and design.

A large metal grain silo next to a green house in a garden setting.Water tanks can be steel, polyethylene, fiberglass, or cement. There are bladder-type pillow tanks that can be placed in crawl spaces or buried tanks that have zero visual impact. Bolted together, galvanized steel water tanks have a liner inside the tank, while the steel shell provides protection and structure for the liner. Polyethylene (plastic) water tanks are the most cost effective. Additional tanks can easily be added in the future. Slimline tanks or Box tanks can be used for limited available space applications.

Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.Installation requirements, codes, durability, warranty, and volume, should be considered as well.

A professional designer with experience in rainwater collection should have information to assist in making your decision for your water storage needs.

RainBankis an ARCSA accredited designer and full service installer of rainwater systems and also consults onwater systemsfor both potable, household water use and non-potable for landscaping irrigation and toilet flushing.RainBank will design, install and package systems from 2,500 gallons to 50,000 gallons. Contact us.