Tag Archives: urban

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

Underground Rainwater Storage

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Green Tank ExcavationMore urban customers are inquiring about underground storage for rainwater catchment systems. With limited space in a typical city backyard and the desire to keep what little space there is unobstructed by large cisterns, buried tanks are the solution.

underground tankThe decision to choose underground storage comes with added costs.

Below grade cisterns require considerations and costs that are not typical with above ground storage. Structural requirements, added excavation, and drainage are factors in costs. The costs of engineering and materials add to the manufacturing costs of below grade cisterns. Added labor, such as excavation, more than likely will include the need to export soil off the site and the import of drain rock. Buried tanks require cement hold-downs and proper drainage of tank placement to eliminate possible floatation of the tank when water levels in the tank are low and ground water levels are high. Below grade cisterns can be 2 to 2.5 times more expensive than above ground to design, purchase and install properly.

Buried tanksExperience in below grade cistern design and installation is the key factor in the success and costs of the project. Understanding the added costs before hand will help ease sticker shock.

 

Environment, Sustainability

Can You Collect Rainwater in Seattle’s Tight Living Space?

Space_Needle_Mount_Ranier_Seattle_Washington_USAYou live in Seattle, where space is at a premium. You may not have a large lawn for tank placement, but you still want to live sustainably. You’ve already reduced your household and business energy usage and you recycle and reuse products to extend their life. So, how can you capture a vital resource by collecting rainwater in Seattle’s tight living space?

  • Just like rural homeowners, urban households can benefit from rainwater collection. Unlike rural homes, most city homes have less space available for storage. Slim line water tanks and underground storage options allow those who live in an urban environment to collect, store, and use rainwater for a number of purposes.
  • chartYou do not need a lot of storage capacity for supplemental use of rainwater. For every inch of rainfall, a thousand square feet of surface will yield 623 gallons of water. A 2,000 square foot roof in Seattle will yield over 44,000 gallons of water annually. Even with only 3,000 gallons of storage, winter use can be as much as 100% or can be stored for summer irrigation demands. See chart below  – an average 2,000 square foot roof yields over 44, 000 gallons with only 3,000 gallons of storage capacity based on 120 gallons of daily demand.  (click the image for larger view)
  • Rainwater is a clean source of water that needs very little treatment for irrigation, toilet flushing, or laundry facilities. Further treatment with UV disinfection allows for whole house demands including drinking water. With more demands on our water districts due to drought conditions, every drop helps. Why not benefit from this natural resource, rather than send it down the curbside drain?

It is possible to further your conviction to live a sustainable life with rainwater collection. The investment can pay off not just for you, your family, and your business, but for all of us who seek to make the best use of rainwater, a vital resource.

This article was originally published under the title How Can Urban Homes Benefit From Rainwater Collection?