Tag Archives: rainwater harvesting

Rainwater Catchment

7 Reasons to Collect Rainwater

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RBRWC924153Collecting rainwater offers many benefits for residents and businesses – for potable (drinking, showering) and non-potable applications (toilet flushing, irrigation, wash down) – and more. Water tanks can be made of plastic or steel and can be set above or below ground, depending on the amount of space available. Here are 7 reasons to collect rainwater:

Significant, economic, social, and environmental benefits can be achieved by collecting, storing, and using rainwater. According to the Texas A&M AgriLlife Extension and the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), rainwater harvesting benefits individuals and communities in many ways.

  1. CONSERVES WATER: Rainwater harvesting provides an alternative water source to well water and public water supplies. About 50 to 70 % of all household water is used for landscape irrigation and other outdoor activities.
  2. CONSERVES ENERGY: Because rainwater harvesting bypasses the centralized water system, it conserves energy. Many household systems require only a small pump to create water pressure in the pipes, and many non potable systems operate by gravity.
  3. PREVENTS FLOODING AND EROSION: Part of the local rainfall is diverted into collection tanks or passive harvesting methods, leaving less storm water to manage. Stormwater problems are turned into water supply assets by slowing runoff and allowing it to soak into the ground.
  4. DECREASES WATER CONTAMINATION: Captured rainwater does not cause immediate runoff. Limiting runoff helps decrease the contamination of surface water by sediments, fertilizers, and pesticides in rainfall runoff.
  5. REDUCES PERSONAL WATER BILLS: Rainwater can be used in landscaping, for toilets, and for washing laundry. With more filtration and treatment, it can be used for cooking and drinking as well.
  6. SUPPLIES NUTRIENTS TO PLANTS: Rainwater often contains nitrogen which provides a slight fertilizing effect for plants.
  7. PROVIDES NATURALLY SOFT WATER: The use of rainwater can significantly reduce the amounts of detergents and soaps needed. It also prevents soap scum, hardness deposits, and the need for water softeners.

A properly installed rainwater harvesting system, by a credentialed company, reaps rewards over city, well or surface water for many years with reliable, safe and quality water.

This throwback Thursday post was originally published under the title Benefits of Rainwater Collection at RainBank.info.

Environment, Infrastructure

Water Stress in the US

drops-of-water-627277_640You might not expect it can happen here in the US, but water stress is heading this way.

Water stress is defined as meaning either the demand for water exceeds its availability or poor quality restricts its use. We know that Flint, MI may have sufficient water supply, but if folks aren’t able to drink it, a water stress (and financial stress) situation exists.

As reported by MSN, “When stress occurs, according to the European Environmental Agency, the deterioration of freshwater resources soon follows and this can lead to illness. For example, a quarter of the globe’s population lacks the necessary resources to access anything more than a feces-contaminated source for their drinking water, risking diarrhea, cholera, polio, and other diseases.”

As we’ve previously written, decentralized water systems may be the best way to protect your family and business from water stress, which according to reports, will hit many areas of the United States within the next 20 years – if we don’t change the way we design and build public water systems.

Will Decentralized Water Systems Flow in the Wake of Flint Crisis? (originally published on 3/10/2016 at RainBank.info)

Matt Grocoff, a writer, speaker and recognized leader in net zero energy and living buildings asks: “What if there is a better way for Flint and other cities to harvest and deliver life-enhancing water?

We’ve talked about why decentralized water systems are important to our public safety and why rainwater collection is a simple source for decentralized water, and how it can be the answer to our aging, centralized water systems. With expected increased demand from high density development and the high cost of upgrading infrastructure to meet those demands, water is becoming a commodity.

In his February 15th post for Michigan Radio, Can Flint crisis inspire better water systems for all of us?, Grocoff goes on to say, “There is no doubt that Flint’s water crisis is an unqualified failure of democracy, but it is also a century-old failure of design and systems thinking.”

With a progressive train of thought, he asks, instead of replacing all of the pipes, how about building a better system? This practical approach has some of us scratching our heads because it makes perfect sense.

As science and technology evolve, we should adapt new practices for designing and building public water systems – for the sake of our health, longevity, sustainability and affordability.

Don’t be caught high and dry when water stress arrives in your community. Learn more about rainwater collection and how you can either replace or supplement your dependence on well or city water supply. Of course, we encourage you to follow this blog (click the box below to subscribe to notifications), or visit the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA.org) for free and timely information about rainwater harvesting.

Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Harvesting in Greater Seattle

seattle-839652_640More and more, folks are reaching out for information on rainwater collection and harvesting practices in the Puget Sound area, especially Greater Seattle.

As we field inquiries, add products and services, we also try to educate about rules and regulations and overall benefits to including rainwater harvesting in new construction plans, as well as the value of capturing rain for renovation projects. Harvested rainwater can be used for so many applications – toilet flushing, laundry, irrigation, vehicle wash down, fire suppression and, in many municipalities, drinking.

Harvested rainwater can be supplemental to city or well water, which reduces load on public water supplies and aging infrastructure and puts the resident or business in charge of the quality of water.

We’ve shared quite a bit of knowledge in our blog posts; here are a couple of articles that may help you decide to move forward with your plans for rainwater collection in your new home, renovation or commercial project:

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…

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT RAINWATER COLLECTION IN SEATTLE?

The practice of rainwater collection has been around for centuries. Until recently, it was thought to be a “hippie” or “doomsdayer” alternative, but rainwater collection is now increasingly recognized as a viable source of water. Cities throughout the US are supporting and encouraging rainwater catchment and practicable water conservation. Read more…

As always, we encourage you to know your contractor and be sure that the professional you hire for your project has the credentials to take you from start to finish. Ask if your contractor is an ARCSA accredited or certified professional. Members are trained and required to have continuing education in order to provide a safe source of water. Be sure the designer has understanding in the field of water systems and that your contractor has familiarity and expertise in installation.

For those seeking more information in Greater Seattle and Washington state, of course we welcome your inquiries. Go ahead and leave a comment, or contact us privately (we try to respond with 48 hours).