Tag Archives: stormwater

Rainwater Catchment

Seattle Stormwater Management and Rainwater Collection


Seattle skyline with Space Needle and Mount Rainier in the background.

The EPA defines Stormwater as water that originates during precipitation events and snow/ice melt. Without proper management, stormwater can soak into the soil (infiltrate), be held on the surface and evaporate, or runoff and end up in nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies (surface water). In natural landscapes such as forests, the soil absorbs much of the stormwater and plants help hold stormwater close to where it falls. In developed environments, unmanaged stormwater can create two major issues: one related to the volume and timing of runoff water (flooding) and the other related to potential contaminants that the water is carrying (water pollution).

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

Seattle 2016 stormwater regulations protect people, property, and the environment from damage caused by stormwater runoff. Our stormwater codes also satisfy the City’s obligation to comply with our Municipal Stormwater Discharge National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

The practice of rainwater collection is recognized as an integral part of storm water management as defined by Seattle public Utilities.

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) includes stormwater best management practices (BMPs) designed to reduce runoff from development using infiltration, evapotranspiration, and/or stormwater reuse. To be considered Green Stormwater Infrastructure, it must provide a function in addition to stormwater management such as water reuse, providing greenspace and/or habitat in the city. Examples of green stormwater infrastructure include trees, bioretention facilities, rain gardens, permeable pavement, vegetated roofs, and rainwater harvesting.

In the stormwater code, all Green Stormwater Infrastructure are considered on-site Stormwater Management BMPs and can be used to comply with the on-site Stormwater Management Requirement, Minimum Requirements for Flow Control, Minimum Requirements for Treatment, or all three, depending on how they are designed and constructed. All projects are required to implement On-site Stormwater Management BMPs to the maximum extent feasible for flow control and water quality treatment. This means that On-site Stormwater Management BMPs must be incorporated throughout the project site wherever feasible, constrained only by the physical limitations of the site and practical considerations of engineering design and necessary business practices.

For more information, visit:

https://www.epa.gov/npdes/npdes-stormwater-program

 

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/codesrules/codes/stormwater/

 

http://www.seattle.gov/util/EnvironmentConservation/Projects/GreenStormwaterInfrastructure/StormwaterCode/index.htm

 

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Rainwater Catchment, Technical Information

Meeting the 2016 Seattle Stormwater Code


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.The new Seattle 2016 stormwater code, effective Jan 1, 2016 addressesstormwater regulations in order to protect people, property, and the environment from damage caused by stormwater runoff. Drainage control, flow control andstormwater treatment, and “On Site Stormwater Management”, are key factors in what you can and cannot do with runoff caused by impervious surfaces. The new code satisfies Seattle’s obligation to be in compliance with theMunicipal Stormwater Discharge National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit, issued by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Thecity of Seattle has put out new publication of “Best Management Practices.” The Primary purpose of the BMPs is to protect beneficial uses of water resources, while reducing erosion, andcontamination ofstormwaterrunoff entering our waterways. Collecting rainwater forbeneficial use can have asignificanteffect meeting therequirements of the newstormwater codes on any newconstruction within city limits. Collecting the rain and using it reduces theimpervious surface of your project. Whether its use is for irrigation,toilet flushing, laundry facility, or potable use for residential, adding rainwater collection to your project’s design can be the answer to “what do I do with the runoff to meet thesechallenges?”, to comply with the new stormwater code.”

Contain Water Systems Inc. and RainBank Rainwater Systems can help your Seattle building project meet the 2016 stormwater code requirements.

Contain Steel Water Tanks can be an integral part of design for commercialconstruction in reducing costs due to the new code and its requirements. RainBank Rainwater Systems has been designing and installing systems for more than15 years in Washington State. Whether your project is commercial or residential, potable or non potable, RainBank and Contain have theanswers for your next project. We workclosely witharchitects, engineers,contractors, and most importantly, the customer to help meet the newstormwater codes with aknowledgeable staff andcommitment of your project.

Rainwater Harvesting Education, Sustainability

Standards Set for Stormwater Collection


Water flowing over a small ledge into a stream below. Standards. They are the benchmarks we use to help us make decisions about the food we eat, the cars we purchase, the schools we choose and the water we use.

The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) and the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) have jointly developed aStormwater Harvesting Standard, which received American National Standards (ANSI) approval.

This new standard offers direction on how to safely apply stormwater collection for direct end-use applications.

“The American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) is pleased to announce that ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 78-2015: Stormwater Harvesting System Design for Direct End-Use Applications was approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on August 3, 2015”

The standard is set to offer a secure alternate to utility-provided water and to elevate stormwater use to decrease reliance on the aging infrastructure afflicting many municipal water systems.

“Use of the standard will ensure that consumers are not at risk from poor design, installation, maintenance, or illegal work and that the stormwater catchment system will assist in maintaining and enhancing the quality of the environment while assisting compliance with the intent of relevant regulations and government officials.”

Read more about the standard here.

RainBank is proud to be a lifetime member of ARCSA and applauds itsongoing effortsto setand maintain standards for rainwater harvesting.