Tag Archives: sustainability

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, Sustainability

A Greener Approach in Yavapai County AZ


Close-up of a worn, metallic fountain pen nib on a black surface.The Prescott News has reported that Yavapai County (AZ) Government is including a greenerapproach tonew construction for a few county buildings. Rainwater collection and solar were included in the “reduction of energy and water usage.” Solar and LED lighting are already proving to be a significant cost savings in existing county building and are expected to do so in future projects.

Rainwater collection will supply irrigation requirements for both the new library and the county health services in Yavapai County. Low flush bathroom fixtures and alternatives in new technology in irrigation nozzles will be used to further the conservation examples to reduce future costs and public education of practices.

The exterior of Seattle Fire Station with a brick facade and signage.Federal and state buildings in Washington and Oregon have included these practices as well fire stations, schools, county buildings and military projects. Private practice has also jumped in with conservation and sustainability throughelectrical and water.

At RainBank Rainwater Systems, we applaud the conservation efforts of our officialsand the continued public education aboutsustainability, whether here in Seattle, throughout the Pacific Northwest, around the country, like in Yavapai County, AZ – and the world.

Commercial Rainwater Harvesting, Sustainability

Rainwater Harvesting With Architectural Design

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Two palm trees, one healthy and one dried, displayed indoors.It’s important to know how to incorporate the best components into an architecturaldesign while also building an affordable, sustainable rainwater harvesting system.

Here’s what we talked about in Rainwater Collection Can Be Part of Architectural Design:

Rainwater collection can be part of architectural design, adding distinction to a building, bringing awareness to conservation, and letting others learnabout the responsibility of green building practices.

Many new commercial construction projects are implementing stormwater management into their architectural designs, rather than simply meeting new regulations. Building designers and owners are showcasing their commitment to conservation, and incorporating functionality with aesthetics, in turn, this practicefurthers customer and general public interest in conservation and rainwater collection, creating even more public awareness of the need for conservation and sustainable living practices.

“Lead by example”, my father used to say, “and it willinspire others to do the same.” Good advice when trying to do the right thing. Seattle and many other cities are recognizing the importance of rainwater collection as a method of controlling stormwater and are seeingthe benefits associated with doing so.

A shiny cylindrical metal sculpture outside a modern building.Other projects that RainBank Rainwater Systems has been involved with include:

  • Sea Scouts building in Galveston, TX (top, left)
  • The Goodwill Building, Seattle, WA (right)
  • Edith Green Federal Building in Portland, OR
  • Federal Way School District, WA
  • Paul Allan’s project, South Lake Union, Seattle
  • Kirkland Safety Building, WA
  • Wallingford Fire Department, Seattle
  • Federal Aviation Building Neah Bay, WA
  • Tacoma School District Tacoma, WA
  • Seattle Arts Academy
  • Puget Sound Energy Seattle
  • Port of Gray’s Harbor, WA
  • Mill Creek Shopping Center, WA
  • Orcas Island School District, WA
  • Fort Lewis (Joint Base Lewis-McChord), WA – and more.

To recap, don’t wait to bring a rainwater harvesting professional into your project. We will work closely with your architect at the outset, to ensure a functioning and affordable water system.