Tag Archives: King County

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.

Rainwater Harvesting Education, Sustainability

Sustainability Key Rainwater Harvesting Benefit


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

Colorado needs to look no further than Seattle and Washington State for the sustainability benefits of Rainwater harvesting.

The Colorado rainwater harvesting narrativeshows that as time marches forward, some laws that were passed almost one hundred years ago should be reconsideredbecause they are just no longer practical. Sustainability wasn’t a factorback then, but it sure needs to be part of the equation now.

In October 2009–after years of argument–the state of Washingtonofficially declared thatpeople could collect and store rainwater captured from a rooftop or other “guzzler” system without a water right, as long as it is used on site and essentially isn’t hurting anybody else. San Juan County was the only one that allowed rainwater collection and potable use for single family residence as an exemption to the water rights issuebefore the 2009 decision.

Since then, King County recognized thebenefits of rainwater collection in January 2011 for householdusage, with support from State Department of Agriculture. So now, King County Department of Health not only allows, butencourages rainwater collection.

Commercial, private, andcommunities all are findingbenefits to rainwater collection and the positive effects on the environment of the Pacific Northwest and our water supplies. The Washington State Department of Ecology continues to support rainwatercollection and studies the effects of in stream flow rates (Skagit) and salmon habitat.

All Washington State counties allow for rooftop collection for non-potable use, with some allowing for potable use. Non-potable use includes irrigation, toilet facility, laundry,wash down and others that are not intended for consumption or bathing. Commercial applications are directing roof runoff to irrigation and toilet facilities, rather than having this runoff enter our bodies of water withpollutants picked upalong the way.Households are not only using rainwater for non-potable use, but are having systems installed that treat and disinfect therainwater to potable standards that aresuperior to city drinking water, thus conserving water by simply not allowing it to become runoff. Ruralhouseholds are using rainwater collection that benefits aquifers by rainwater collection and household use, through infiltration after use.Communities areorganizing communal gardeningapplying rainwater collection, removing the strain on small water systems, while promoting communityevolvementand education.

We congratulate Colorado on its progress in exploring new (to them) sustainability methods. We welcome Colorado’s steps towards better understanding of thebenefits that we in WashingtonState currently enjoy.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Collecting Drinking Water in Seattle


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.We receive many requests from Seattle and King County residents about whether they can collect water for drinking, and if so, how does the process work?

Here are some of our favorite blog posts about collecting drinking water in Seattle:

CAN I COLLECT DRINKING WATER FROM MY ROOF IN SEATTLE?

You can have a potable rainwater collection system designed by an engineer, licensed in the state of Washington with experience in RWC, or an ARCSA(American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association) accredited professional. READ MORE

WHEN IS PERMITTING REQUIRED FOR A SEATTLE RAINWATER SYSTEM?
In January 2011, King County Department of Health adopted rainwater collectionfor potable use for detached single-family dwellings. READ MORE

WHAT IS SEATTLE’S POSITION ON RAINWATER COLLECTION?
In October 2009 Washington State revised its water rights laws to allow rainwater collection. King County (Seattle) has adopted rainwater collection for potable use in single-family dwellings, as well. READ MORE

When all is said and done, once you’ve decided to add rainwater collection to your new or existing dwelling, it’s important that you work with an accredited professional with the knowledge and resources to design and build a system that will meet your water needs for many years.