Tag Archives: rainwater harvesting

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Seattle Times: Utility Rates Could Soar – Rainwater Harvesting Saves Money

“Seattle Utility rates could soar” according to the Seattle Times Jan-22-14

Steel Tank Residential_watermarkedOfficials at Seattle Public Utilities say they will need to raise rates about 30 percent over the next six years. “Over the past decade, the utility’s rates have gone up 96 percent, while the rate of inflation in the Seattle Tacoma area has risen 25.6 percent.”

Now is the time to have a rainwater harvesting system designed and built by a professional rainwater collection system designer/installer and save money.

Underground Tank Construction3RainBank Rainwater Systems has been designing and building rainwater harvesting systems in the greater Puget Sound area for over 10 years and is an American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association lifetime member and an accredited professional. RainBank specializes in potable supplementary whole house systems in the Seattle area.

Do you want to learn how to save money on your utilities bill? Complete the form or leave a comment below. Ken Blair will respond to your questions.

How-to, Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

How to Build a Simple Rainwater Collection System

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How to Build a Simple Rainwater Collection System
Cottage without gutter screen

Over the next few months, RainBank will take you step by step through how to build a rainwater collection system so you can begin harvesting the rain for yourself. (Be sure to subscribe to posts so you don’t miss any!)

All rainwater catchment systems begin at the roof and gutters. Whether you want to irrigate, supplement, or go for potable (drinking water) usage, you need to remove debris before storing rainwater.

 

Cottage with Gutter Screen
Cottage with Gutter Screen

It does not matter what type of roofing material you have – all leaves, pine and fir needles that land on your roof will end up in your gutters. Keeping your gutters clean is a chore most people do not like to do. A good gutter screen is one solution to this issue; it’s advised that it be made of fine mesh stainless steel screen and a solid extruded frame. Gutter screens may be expensive but are worth spending the money on – if you are serious. Maintenance is far easier than gutter cleaning; plus the screens are relatively easy to install.

Do you want to know some tricks of the trade? Stay tuned and feel free to post questions in the comments area below.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

How You Can Cut Your Seattle Water Bill in Half

Toilet and laundry account for 51% of domestic water usage, which can be very expensive, especially when you are actually flushing it down the drain. 

Bellvue Residential rainwater systemYou can cut your water bill in half by installing a rainwater collection system like the one RainBank has designed and is currently building in Bellevue, WA.  This rainwater harvesting system is a 7,200 gallon buried tank for a newly constructed residence. The four 1800 gallon tanks will provide water for toilet flushing, laundry facility, and some irrigation. The tanks are designed to be buried with three feet of soil on top, putting them out of sight and allowing landscaping to be in place.

As a bonus, the stored water can also be an auxiliary supply for firefighting with a simple hydrant.

Do you have an old swimming pool that is no longer wanted?  That is what this hole was before RainBank’s installation.