Tag Archives: urban rainwater collection

Rainwater Catchment, Rainwater Harvesting Education

U.S. Water Supply Challenges


2014 Annual Conference logo for American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association.Seattle based RainBank Rainwater Collection Systems to attend ARCSA conference addressing U.S. Water Supply Challenges.

This year marksARCSA‘s20th anniversary, and its annual conference will put the focus on Rainwater Harvesting: Solutions to U.S. Water Supply Challenges.

The annual rainwater collectionconference, to be held in Phoenix, AZ this November, will offer presentations from educators, industry professionals, and keynote speakers, with topics includinglegislative action, codes and standards, guidelines, along with panel discussions, and workshops centered around rainwater collection.

Man giving a presentation to an audience in a conference room.RainBank’s president Ken Blair was tapped topresenta session onUrban Rainwater Collectionand its effects on stormwater runoff mitigation.

Additionally, Ken will participate inan advanced continuing education course to attain the designation of Inspection Specialist (IS), augmentinghis already achieved,Accredited Professional (AP) qualification and lifetime member status.

Adding theIS accreditation to itslistof qualifications solidly identifiesRainBank as theleader in rainwater catchment systems design and installation for commercial and residential customers, especially forSeattle area customers and classifiesRainBank asthe most qualified, up to date, professional Rainwater Collection company in the industry.

Rainwater Catchment

Rainwater Collection Helps Mitigate Urban Storm Water Runoff


A vehicle emits thick white smoke while entering a building.With lessvegetation, more square footage of impervious surfaces, and more population density, cities contribute to the bulk of storm water runoff. Rethinking how we control storm water in our urban environments isessential to the health of our bodies of water. During large rainevents, a sewer system can be overwhelmed with runoff, causing intentional releases, withpollutants entering our rivers, lakes, bays, and estuaries.

The use of on site infiltration is mandatory for new construction, along with other practices such as swales along our roads rather than raised medians. Green roofs, green areas within our cities and the use of rainwater collection all have a positive impact on storm water runoff. Common sense approaches tostorm water within our cities is crucial to the health of our environment.

Rainwater collection for commercial construction and residential not only helps mitigate storm water run off, but also helps protect our water supplies by using rain water for irrigation, toilet facility, and other uses. The city of Federal Way in Washington state implemented rainwater collection for its new school maintenance facility by using rainwater for school bus wash down during the school year, and during the summer uses the collected water for irrigation.

Rainwater Catchment, Residential Rainwater Collection

How Can Rainwater Harvesting Benefit our Cities?


Boat sailing on calm water with a snow-capped mountain in the background.

Storm water runoff is a major cause of waterpollution in urban areas, which is why we ask the question: How canrainwater harvestingbenefit our cities?

When rain falls in undeveloped areas, the water is absorbed and filtered by soil and vegetation. Not so in urban environments. Streets, parking lots and buildings are impervious surfaces and do not allow the natural process of infiltration. In most urban areas, storm water is drained through collection systems and discharged into our waterways. This storm water carries oils, bacteria, heavy metals and other pollutants into the receiving water. The storm water overwhelms the sewer system and intentional releases of sewerinto our waterways is conducted to prevent a spill onshore.

Seattle is mandated by the federal government to address its storm water and sewage releases into the Puget Sound. With higher density development, the “Green Stormwater Infrastructure” (GSI) was mandated to address storm water runoff with infiltration techniques such as bio swells, green roofs, infiltrationplanter boxes, includinggreenparking areas and streets using permeable pavers. While these techniques are helping to reduce run off they do not address the increasing demands onour water resources.

Rainwater that is harvested collects and stores rainfall for future use. When designed and installed properly, it, too, helps reduce runoff while providing a viable source of water for irrigation, toilet and laundry facilities, and when filtrated and disinfected can be an alternative to city water for potable use.

With increased demands on centralized water systems from population growth, aging infrastructure, and increased costs to upgrade and maintain, rainwater harvestingfor commercial and residential use is a viable and economical solution.

Mt. Rainier and the Puget Sound photo courtesy of Andrew E. Larsen.