Tag Archives: rainwater harvesting

Infrastructure, Rainwater Catchment

Rain Harvesting in National Spotlight


A serene waterfall cascading over rocks surrounded by greenery.The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association, ARCSA, is adrivingforce in placingrain harvesting in the national spotlight by petitioning President Obama’s administration to focus on the broad economic value of supporting and encouraging growth in the rainwater harvesting industry.

According to ARCSA’s petition, rain harvestingis not just a sustainable source of water, the rainwater harvesting industry is building infrastructure “creating new jobs in design, installation, education, R&D, sales, plumbing, landscaping, roofing, monitoring and maintenance, which could propel the U.S. to international leadership, with compounding fiscal benefits.”

The petition has been submitted and is seeking 100,000 signatures in order to qualify for an official response. Please click here to read more and to sign the petition.

Rainwater Catchment

University Adds Rainwater Collection System for Irrigation


Diagram showing water collection and usage in a rainwater harvesting system.St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Tx has added a rainwater collection system to its campus to assist with irrigation.

A 5,050-gallon tank will collect some of approximately240,000 gallons of rain that fall onto that area of the campus annually. Using a small pump, the collectedrainwater will be used forlandscaping irrigation in that section.

An idea fueled by students, the project was pitched to the administration. It is the first of its kind on campus, and willbecome the centerpiece of St. Mary’s sustainability efforts. Similar systems could be considered elsewhere oncampus.

To read more, please visit the university’s website.

 

Residential Rainwater Collection

Does Skagit County Allow Potable Rainwater Collection?


Snow-covered round shed in a winter forest setting.Is Skagit County allowing potable rainwater collection for single family construction?

WSR 13-21-044 “in stream resources protection program” and “minimum water flows & levels” are in full effect without the 2006 amendments validated as of 10-11-13. The supreme court upheld the Dept. of Ecologies findings and the 2001 original decisions. (see) www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/nwro/skagit-wtrsolut.html

More than5,000 land owners are affected in the Skagit River Basins and many are wondering what to do for a source of water to develop their properties. The Dept. of Ecology has determined that rainwater collection actually augments “instream flow rates, and encourages itsuse , (see) www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wr/hq/rwh.html

Additionally, from the Department of Ecology WA State…

Alternative Water Supplies –“We encourage Skagit and Snohomish County to remove any remaining obstacles to property owner’s use of rainwater and trucked-in water for property owners who find this option attractive and who wish to build without delay.”

Skagit County is allowing alternative sources such as rainwater collection for residential single source use, but should also be encouraging those who have no other viable source. For more information go to www.skagitcounty.net/Departments/HealthEnvironment/watermain.html or contact Skagit County Health Dept.

Of course, RainBank is available for consultation and offers assistance with the permitting process to its customers.