We have Rain Captured in Atlanta!

Just got a call in that some barrels that were just installed Tuesday are 1/3 full and the parking lot is barely wet! Great news!

Atlanta Water

I just returned from a four day visit to drought stricken Atlanta, GA. It is serious---very serious. I am not sure folks understand how critical things are. It appears to be the result of growth and previous complacency for water conservation combined with the lack of rain recharging the supplier/feeder bodies of water that have suddenly made every Georgian that I met super aware. However, if at the beginning of the calendar year, folks would have harvested rain, (there is 24 inches YTD recorded which equals 24000 gallons from a 1500sq ft home) , they would have plenty to irrigate now and the load from irrigation on the meter would be greatly decreased thus being in a much better situation. Almost 50% of the water used in the US daily is for outdoor watering. Nothing new that Atlanta is a large city and uses large amounts of water. Atlanta is proving to be an example that no matter where you are in the world, conservation is paramount. If you have been in a cave and are unaware of the water shortage, visit the Atlanta news sites where it is the majority of the coverage. Rainwater harvesting makes sense. The water is coming to us, we have to capture it.

It is here. Restrictions in our area are emerging. Rainwater harvesting is immune to restrictions!

Tryon tightens water use rulesAugust 24, 2007 Town goes to Stage II restrictions

Stage II water restrictionsAugust 24, 2007(1) Do not water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens except by hand held hose or container or drip irrigation system.(2) Do not fill newly constructed swimming and/or wading pools or refill swimming and/or wading pools which have been drained.(3) Do not wash automobiles, trucks, trailers, boats, airplanes, or any other type of mobile equipment, including commercial washing.(4) Do not wash outside areas such as streets, driveways, service station aprons, parking lots, office buildings, exteriors of existing or newly constructed homes or apartments, sidewalks or patios, or to use water for similar purposes.(5) Do not use water from public or private fire hydrants for any purpose other than fire suppression or other public emergency.(6) Do not operate or introduce water into any ornamental fountain, pool, or pond or other structure making similar use of water.(7) Do not serve drinking water in restaurants, cafeterias or other food establishments, except upon request.(8) Do not operate water-cooled air conditioners or other equipment that does not recycle cooling water, except when health and safety are adversely affected.(9) Do not use water for unnecessary purpose or intentionally waste water.(10) Do not use water for industrial purposes in an amount in excess of that amount set by the town manager.

Possibilities Are Endless

Rainwater harvesting can provide clean water-supply for a small community. Especially when pipelines are too expensive to set up and one central well or pump cannot be used all around the year, a rainwater catchment system is a workable solution.Some advantages of rain harvesting:
Easily accessible
Set-up costs are low, with construction easy, materials low-cost and maintenance cheap
Sustainability is higher
Easily adaptable to different types of communities Components of a rainwater harvesting systemA rainwater harvesting set-up is composed of a water-collection system, a storage cistern and a water distribution system.

It mainly needs:
Rain, and plenty of it preferably
A catchment area
Gutters or pipes
Storage tank
Filter (can be a simple metal screen filter or slow sand filter or even more sophisticated types if required or available)
Pump or pressure tank for distribution

A Closer Look

Below is a chart indicating volume use per activity. As one can see, the highlighted items all of which are major contributors to daily use can all be supplemented with rainwater. There is no reason to wash a car or driveway with potable water. Additionally, look at the difference in a conventional sprinkler type irrigation system versus a drip irrigation system. The drip or low volume system approach ensures almost 100% of the water goes directly to the root source where it is needed. Sprays and rotors waste water in the air via vapor escape and missing intended critical root zone targets.

Average Amount of Water Used for Daily Activities

Toilet flush - single cistern 2.2 gallons
Toilet flush - dual single flush 1.1 gallons
Toilet flush - dual full flush 2.2 gallons
Bath 21.9 gallons
Shower (10 minutes) 43.9 gallons
Dishwasher load 10.9 gallons
Washing machine load 32.9 gallons
Brushing teeth with tap running 1.1 gallons
Drinking, cooking, cleaningper person per day 2.2 gallons
Hand basin per use 1.1 gallons
Garden sprinkler per hour 210.0 gallons
Garden dripper per hour 0.9 gallons
Car washing with hose 43.9 gallons
Hosing driveway 21.9 gallons

North Carolina Community Plans Reclaimed Water System

Officials in Raleigh, NC hope to begin delivering reclaimed water across its service area by 2010, according to the News & Observer. Construction is expected to begin in 2008 on the first phase of a 30-year plan to deliver reclaimed water to large users in the greater Raleigh area. The $15 million project will extend reclaimed water to an amphitheatre, softball complex, and a country club. Eventually, city officials hope the system will include 145 miles of pipeline, three storage tanks, and two pumping stations at an estimated cost of $86 million. A 2005 drought resulted in mandatory water-use restrictions for residents of Raleigh. (Article from Wateresue Association)

Rainwater Harvesting No Longer A Mystery

Bandera Home and Garden Show draws a crowd of 450
By James Taylor - Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 1, 2007 12:00 PM CDT
Rainwater harvesting is the new prom king in the school of conservation, taking the popularity throne from xeriscaping, which has in years past been the top draw at the annual Bandera County Home and Garden Show."We had a very good turnout, one of our best turnouts ever, and the biggest draw of all was definitely rainwater harvesting and plant sales," Susan Queen, office administrator for the Bandera County River Authority and Groundwater District, said. "We had landscapers, information on organic gardening, septic and well maintenance, and many others."The water district co-hosts the event with the Bandera County Extension Office, paid for out of tax dollars in the district's public education budget. These funds also allow the district to make presentations at area schools, participate in the Bandera ISD sixth-grade fair in May, submit articles the newspaper, and recently, along with the Home and Garden Show, provide rainwater catchment seminars."We want to educate the public on ways to conserve and protect our natural resources, primarily water in our case," Queen said. "We are charged in our legislation with the duty to educate the public with respect to protecting and conserving our water resources."Queen said that the Home and Garden Show is their biggest public event, and has been held annually over the past six years. The date of next year's show has not been announced yet, but Queen said that calls are already coming in.Xeriscaping, landscaping using native plants that don't use as much water as non-natives, has in the past been one of the biggest presentations at the show, but this year, rainwater catchment, or harvesting, has seen a surge in popularity.

"I think people are becoming more conscientious about the fact that our groundwater resources are finite," Queen said. "This is a great way to not pump and use all of those resources, and it is getting more and more popular. We have more people asking about it these days."

Water Conservation

Here is the facts on our water supply although our local municipality told me that rainwater harvesting is not feasible since and I quote "our water is too cheap here".

Nearly 97% of the world's water is saltwater or otherwise undrinkable. Another 2% is held in ice caps and glaciers. That leaves just one percent for all of humanity's needs - agricultural, residential, manufacturing, and community needs.
At least 1 billion people must walk three hours or more to obtain drinking water. Nearly 2% of U.S. homes have no running water. (United States Geological Survey)

Rainwater Harvesting Education

This blog is an attempt to help those who are currently interested in using rainwater for irrigation and other purposes but do not know where to go for information. Our company, based in Greer, SC, provides consultation and design on these techniques. It is becoming critical to conserve water as we continue to develop over 200 acres of land a day in South Carolina. Please post and let's lead South Carolina in the newest green revolution topic soon to be called the 'blue revolution'! Rainwater Harvesting