Tag Archives: rainwater

Rainwater Catchment, Sustainability

Test Your Water Sense


Screenshot of "Test Your Water Sense" game menu with options and a water droplet mascot.Fortunately, Seattle is not dealing with the crippling drought experienced in 2015. However, since water is such a precious resource, we feel it’s always a good time to test your water sense.

We originally shared the following post in August 2014.

In Seattle, we are not facing a water shortage. Here at RainBank, we take aging water systems, water usage, storageand rainwater collection seriously. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun while being mindful about water.

Who hasn’ttriedthefun quizzes on Buzzfeed– like “How Many US States Have You Visited?” or “How Well Do You Know the Solar System?”

The EPA has joined the quiz frenzy with a WaterSense Quiz, a fun game to test your knowledge and share some facts aboutwater.

The object of the game is to move the water-efficiency hero, aptly namedFlo,through water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding water-wasting monsters such asSogosaurusandDrainiac.

It may seem like child’s play, but if you try the EPA’s new interactive online quiz, you’ll be sure to learn a few factsabout water usage.

Click here to playthe game(Editor’s note – this version may not be mobile friendly), or click here to view a text only version of the quiz.Take yourturn and leave us a comment to let us know how you scored!

If you have any questions or comments about rainwater collection, we’re always happy to hear from you.

Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

Reinventing Water Supplies – ARCSA Conference 2016


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.The theme of ARCSA’s 12th annual conference, set for December in Las Vegas, NV, will highlight reinventing water supplies.

The Mission of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association is to promote sustainable rainwater harvesting practices to help solve potable, non-potable, stormwater and energy challenges throughout the world.

The conference and expo will be filled with learning and buying opportunities and will be held at the convention center in conjunction with conferences for the Irrigation and Groundwater Associations.

Visit the ARCSA conference registration page for more information.

RainBank’s leader, Ken Blair, is anaccreditedARCSA Professional, Inspector Specialist, Designer / Installer and Life Member, a PacificCoastal Regional ARCSA representative and advisor to its education committee. Ken is tapped by architects, engineers, government agencies and related professional associationsto provide lectures or participate on expert panels to discuss Rainwater Collection Systems design and builds.

RainBank is also the Northwest region distributorforContain Water Tanks, which are backed with an unmatched20-year warranty.

Infrastructure, Residential Rainwater Collection

Rainwater Has Many Uses For Seattle Residents


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.

Seattle residents enjoy the advantage of being able to collect rainwater for both non potable and potable use.

A single family residence can supplement city water for whole house use with rainwater. Rainwater collection has many benefits to the home owner – whether intended for irrigation or household use. Toilet flushing, laundry facility, and wash down are non potable uses that can save water consumption and money on monthly bills.

Systems can be easily installed for new construction or retro-fitted for existing homes. According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA) non potable usage accounts for approximately 52% of residential usage. We know that collected rainwater helps supply nutrients to soil and provides naturally soft water for bathing and washing. With proper filtration and disinfection, the collected rainwater can be used for potable demands (sinks, showers, and drinking water), which account for the other 48% demand.

An average 2,000 square foot roof in Seattle will see over 44,000 gallons of roof runoff annually.

This runoff either enters the city’s stormwater system or enters its combined sewer system. The latter can result in intentional release into the Puget Sound when system are overwhelmed. The City of Seattle is mandated by the Federal Government to meet these challenges by requiring onsite infiltration of all new construction.

Seattle Public Utilities, along with King county, have the daunting task of mapping, upgrading and replacing an outdated public stormwater system. This federally required mandate will be lengthy and expensive.

Decentralized systems are the future.

RainBank Rainwater Systems designs and constructs systems for our clients’ specific needs. We calculate amounts available, usage, storage and automate systems to switch from city water to rainwater, depending on the seasons’ rainfall amounts and the desired usage. This technique optimizes roof runoff to demand, reducing stormwater while lowering city water usage. The water quality is superior, it is good for our Puget Sound and waterways, and it will reduce monthly water bills. We live in an area that is ideal for rainwater collection are you taking advantage of that.