Tag Archives: potable

Choose Right Type of Storage For Water System

RainBank Rainwater Systems meets the storage needs of its customers.

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.

RBRWC917154Buried 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.

20,000 gal residentialSteel 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.

RBRWC917153Plastic 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.

RBRWC917152Slimline tanks offer a compact install for the urban customer, requiring little area for storage. They can be connected together to increase volume.

RBRWC917151And 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 than 15 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.

Never Clean a Filter Basket Again

A rainwater system designed with WISY products requires minimal maintenance and never needs replacing. Never clean a filter basket or a tank again. Ever.

floating suctionA 45,000 gallon, cement vault, rainwater collection system will supply a new Seattle residence with potable water. Rainwater is collected from the roof and conveyed to the cistern through two Wisy calming inlets.

While filtration removes most of the sediment and bacteria before rainwater enters the tank, a small amount will settle on the bottom. This biofilm layer is good for the tank, which may remove additional bacteria and metals from the water. The Wisy smoothing inlet calms rainwater as it enters the storage tank, to aid in the prevention of agitation of sediment at the rainwater inlet. The smoothing inlet also helps aerate collected rainwater by directing the water upward and outward, avoiding disruption of the biofilm layer and also maintaining water quality in the tank.

A Wisy floating suction was used on the suction side of the solar powered pump (above) to further screening prior to pressurizing and filtration.

The floating filter should never clog, since the harvested rainwater is filtered before entering the tank. The filter will take water from just below the surface. Water at this depth is of the highest quality in the tank, because any particulate entering the tank will either settle to the bottom, or float on the surface.

Rainwater Collection Steel Tank Photo Gallery

Laundry Building SeattleWith 15 years of experience in the rainwater collection industry, RainBank has assembled a photo gallery of some of the steel tank installations we’ve completed .

With many builds located in the Seattle area, RainBank also has several projects located in the Pacific Northwest, like Portland, OR, Vashon Island and Lopez Island, in 2014, RainBank also directed a 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 to your residential or commercial project.