Tag Archives: non potable

Choose Right Type of Storage For Water System


RainBank Rainwater Systems meets the storage needs of itscustomers.

Whether you’re looking for a potable, or non-potable system, storage is always a big decision in the design and installation of a rainwater harvesting system. RainBank Rainwater Systems has experience in installations of buried tanks, plastic above ground tanks and steel tanks to meet its customers’ storage needs.

Plumbing pipes being installed in a backyard trench.Buried tanks have less visual impact than that of above ground tanks. Careful planning and engineering is required for this type of installation. Care must be given to surrounding vegetation and tree root systems. Grading and drainage requirements must be met so impact is reduced.

A silver dome-shaped greenhouse surrounded by tall grass and trees.Steel tanks generally can have increased volume and are usually constructed in more of a rural environment. Steel tanks require an engineered slab and must meet seismic requirements. Many find that the industrial look is aesthetically pleasing.

Large black water storage tanks next to a red building under sunlight.Plastic tanks (top and right) are the most cost effective and come in many sizes from 50 gallons to 10,000 gallons. Multiple tanks can be manifolded together. While most are guaranteed for UV protection, shading from the sun will increase longevity of the tank.

Row of rain barrels connected to a gutter system for water collection.Slimline tanks offer a compact install for the urban customer, requiring little area for storage. They can be connected together to increase volume.

White flexible tubing connected to vertical pipes on a tiled floor.And finally, cement vault storage under the dwelling can be achieved with proper engineering. This type of storage allows a large volume with no visual impact or area used up for the cistern other than below the structure itself. Care must be given structurally, as well as moisture and condensation concerns need to addressed.

With more than15 years designing and installing rainwater collection systems in Washington, Oregon, and other states, RainBank Rainwater Systems has the experience, knowledge, and engineering to get the job done right the first time.

Rainwater Collection Steel Tank Photo Gallery


Workers install a large metal tank outdoors on a construction site.With 15 years of experience in the rainwater collection industry, RainBank has assembled a photo galleryof some of the steel tank installations we’ve completed.

With many builds located in the Seattle area, RainBank also has severalprojects located in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, OR, Vashon Island and Lopez Island, in 2014, RainBank also directeda steel tank build in Galveston, Texas for the Sea Scouts.

Please click here to visit the steel tank photo gallery and stay tuned for more photos and videos to come.

Things you should know about RainBank Rainwater Systems:

  • Ken Blair (President) holds the ARCSA AP and Inspector Specialist accreditations and is a Lifetime Member. He is also the ARCSA northwest regional representative
  • RainBank’s Management Team covers a wide range of expertise, including engineering and plumbing
  • RainBank is a full service rainwater systems company – design, installation and consultation
  • RainBank designs systems for potable (whole house use or supplemental) and non-potable for irrigation, toilet flushing and laundry.

Contact us now for more information about how to add rainwater harvesting toyour residential or commercial project.

El Nino Affects Snowpack and Water Supplies


Side-by-side satellite images showing green and dry landscapes.Forecastsindicate that the El Nino weather pattern is expected to continue bringing wetter, warmer forecasts for the winter, and continued dryer weather for next summer for the west coast. It is expected that we will see the same weather this next year as we did this year. Less snowpack in the Cascades will mean once again a limited amount of water formunicipal water supplies. A warmer and wetter winter will fillreservoirs, but Seattle’sexperience this year showed that without that snowpack to replenish stored levels, supplies fall short as summerstretches on. Many small waterdistricts in the Pacific Northwest found themselves runningextremely low, while Seattle Public Utilities is continuing to ask its customers to scale back usage.

There has been an increase in interest in rainwater collection for single-family residences in Seattle and other areas of WesternWashington this summer for potable and non-potable systems. Non-potable systems are being sought primarily for irrigation, but the real increase is in whole house potable demand. As our population in the Seattle area has increaseddramatically and drier conditions in the summer are causing higher demands, many arepreparing in advance for next summer.

A well-designed and installed rainwater catchment system can provide water to a single-familyhousehold year-round or supplement city water use during the summer. A non-potable system can ease the demand on city water by using collected rainwater for irrigation during those dry periods. Many of RainBank’s customers are commenting once again “that this is the right thing to do” – a messagethat I used to hear often before therecession. Folks want to do the right thing for the environment regardless of acrisis.

We must take population growth and protection of our natural resources seriously. Water is the one thing we cannot do without.