Water Harvesting

What is it?  Why?

The most often asked question I get is – What is it?  It is an ancient way of catching rainwater and reusing it.  Typically this would be for a greater value than storm water runoff.  Think of all the water we see running on top of the ground down the hill.  It’s coming from somewhere and going nowhere.  Actually it is going into the storm water management system or lack thereof.  There are many ways to use that water on your property for personal benefit and to enhance all.

That is what we do.  We come to your property and help you see the ways you can catch water and make it work for you rather than being a nuisance or missed opportunity.. 

The consumption of water is not just about what you use at your home or work.  It is about your water footprint and everyone else’s. 

http://twri.tamu.edu/news/2009/10/06/whats-your-water-footprint/

More than likely we will not run out of water nor will we save the world through rainwater harvesting.  Like any resource we should manage it to our betterment and consciously not managing it is not a good quality.

As Ben Franklin said “Nobody cares about water until the well runs dry”.  Harvesting will keep the well full.

Conclusions:

If you wish to harvest the question is storage since this is the largest piece of the investment along with logistics.

The numbers are realistic for the majority.

If two people use 50 gallons/day each that is 50 (gal) x 2 (people) x 365 (days) = 36,500 Gallons in a year.  Forty (40%) percent for landscaping is 36,500 x .40 = 14,600 gallons. So, 2,000 SF of roof would more than cover one’s water needs for the landscape in a years time.

Types of Containers

Plastic – Polypropylene - They come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, colors and prices from under a dollar to six dollars per stored gallon – vessel only.  Plastic 3,000 gallon tanks yield the lowest cost per gallon.  Usually the lower the storage gallons the higher the cost per gallon.  The tanks can be painted or covered in wood, metal and stone among other things.  Black or green is better than light which will grow algae.  Again black tanks can be painted white.  Some people cover the tanks within a building.  The pipes can be run above or below ground depending on the site.

Concrete – Above ground is higher in cost.  Below ground is just above plastic.  It requires excavation and typically pumps which add to the investment.  Concrete underground assures cool and clean water.  Calcium from the concrete gives a desirable taste to the water.

Water Pillows – are just like a blow up mattress and can fit in vertically challenged places like crawl spaces and under decks.  They require a sand bed and cost is around concrete.

Rain Barrels – come in many forms and are typically for irrigation only.  It can be a trash can, a plastic food grade container, a bucket, a wine barrel, metal or plastic made to look like a wine barrel (something we specialize in see the products tab).  This is the best way to get a taste of harvesting especially if you are skeptical. 

Underground Tanks – Hard plastic require excavation and sand bed.  The back fill has to be packed in layers and have to make certain they will not float or crush.  Typically this is a higher cost option.

Metal – Galvanized sheet metal tanks are attractive.  They usually do not exceed 2,500 gallons.  For potable use they need to be lined.  Another way to get to metal is covering a polypropylene tank in sheet metal.

Fiberglass – usually for larger tanks up to 15,000 gallons.  Lower capacity tanks are higher in cost.  Fittings are integral to the tank.