Rainwater is nature’s purest water source. Rainwater is harvested from rooftops and stored in a cistern or rain barrel. Although most commonly used for irrigation, rainwater can also replace drinking (“potable”) water for uses such as toilet flushing and clothes washing. With proper filtration and disinfection, rainwater can also fulfill all the water needs of an entire household.



SUSTAINABLE FOR THE EARTH

• Preserves groundwater aquifers, streams, lakes
  
• Reuses stormwater run-off
  
• Promotes water conservation through awareness
  
• Independence from municipal water or well systems
• Naturally soft & better tasting than most well water
  

SUSTAINABLE FOR THE WALLET

• Can be less expensive than drilling a well
  
• Low monthly operating cost
  
• Requires less detergents for clothes washing
  
• Eliminates mineral build-up in pipes and appliances
• Provides personal control over water supply & cost
  

Facts: Rainwater collection has been used for water supply since ancient times. Today, it is estimated that there are more than two million rainwater systems supplying household water needs worldwide. More than 250,000 systems exist in the United States.

How does it work?
Rainwater is collected from rooftops where it travels through the gutter system into a cistern or rain barrel. A leaf screen catches any large debris. From here, the appropriate level of filtration can be applied depending on the desired usage. For drinking water uses, a special filter and an ultraviolet light unit can be used for disinfection. The water can be pumped to faucets, showers, toilets, hoses, or any other specific use.

What about maintenance?
Periodic cleaning of filters & screens. For drinking water systems, annual replacement of ultraviolet lamp and twice annual testing of water for fecal coliform bacteria at licensed laboratory.

What about drought?
By carefully studying the precipitation history of your area along with your family’s water consumption needs, a system can be designed that can store enough water to carry you through a drought period. This is where water conservation can become very important. As a back-up plan, water can be trucked in and used to fill the cistern.

Who uses it?
Rainwater collection systems are becoming more popular in areas like Texas, Hawaii, and the San Juan Islands, WA where water can be scarce. The US Virgin Islands require rainwater collection as the only source of water for new development. The state of California offers a tax credit fo rainwater collection systems. San Juan County in Washington State has established design guidelines and permit requirements.

What about a permit?
When a rainwater collection system is as simple as storing water in a rain barrel to water your garden, no permit is needed. For more complicated systems, permitting requirements can vary greatly.