My Account You are not logged in
Login

Rainwater Harvesting Overview

Over the last century, impervious surfaces like concrete, asphalt and roofing materials have been diverting natural rainwater absorption from developed areas and has begun depletion of the local underground aquifers. By capturing as much rainfall as possible from buildings and structures, we can use that water to irrigate landscaping during dry times and prevent erosion during times of high precipitation. By using rainwater for washing laundry, flushing toilets and pressure washing houses and vehicles, we can further contribute to water conservation by limiting the use of drinking water and reducing the energy used to pump that water from the municipal supply. The combination of these effects can greatly contribute to the conservation of our most precious natural resource - water.

Going green has become increasingly popular recently. Small steps can make a huge impact. If you are ready to do your part, why not try harvesting rainwater? This idea may sound overwhelming or impossible, but RainHarvest Systems is at your service to provide all the information and supplies you need. We can answer all your questions about rain harvesting. There is no need to look anywhere else for definitions or clarifications. We will explain the difference between greywater and rainwater or harvesting and rain storage. Nothing will be left unanswered. When you decide it is time to invest in rainwater collection systems, we have everything you need. RainHarvest Systems has the largest selection of products in the industry at the best prices. Because we have an actual brick and mortar store, our products are always in stock, ready to be shipped anywhere. Even if you are unable to visit our store, you can still find all of our rainwater catchment systems quickly and easily right here. Shop for complete arrangements or a simple rainbarrel. No matter what you are looking for, we have you covered.

Getting Started


A Rain Harvest Masters Thesis by Bill Hicks, P.E.

US Drought Monitor from unl.edu

Southwest Drought Monitor - click here ................................ Southeast Drought Monitor - click here

 

Quick Learning, Calculating Capture, Techniques and Rebates

Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

Rainwater Terms
Rain Harvesting in 10_steps

U.S. Annual Precipitation Maps
What truly is your water footprint?

Roof Rainwater Calculator
Downpipe,Eaves, & Gutter Calculator
Optimal Sizing of Gutters for Domestic Rainwater Harvesting
Rain Harvesting - Pumps or Pressure Tanks? by Doug Pushard
Rain Harvesting vs. Plumbing Codes from Plumbing Engineer
Nominal Pipe Sizes: US and International - Wikipedia

Water Harvesting Demonstrations
Water Harvesting Financial Incentives and Resources by Brad Lancaster

Water Efficiency for Your Home: Products and Advice Which Save Water Energy, and Money
Pest Management for Prevention and Control of Mosquitoes with Special Attention to West Nile Virus
A low cost gutter technique using waterproof shade cloth for use in Rainwater Harvesting

Sydney's Water guide to buying a rainwater tank

State of Rainwater Harvesting In The US by Tammie Stark and Doug Pushard

Rebates:

Georgia HR 1069 Energy and Water Efficiency Tax Credit
DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency
Santa Monica, CA RainHarvesting Rebate Application Packet
Austin, TX $500 rainwater harvesting rebate program
Sunset Valley, TX rainwater harvesting rebate program
Albuquerque, NM rainwater harvesting rebate program
Lincoln, NE rainbarrel program
Cary, NC Rainbarrel incentive
James City Service Authority, VA rainwater harvesting program
New York City, NY rainbarrel program

Real World Examples, Guides, Suggestions, Insights

WaterSmart Guide inolving simple design and management practices to take advantage of site features.
The Legalities of Rainwater Harvesting - New York Times
Guidance on Use of Rainwater Tanks - from the Austrailian Government
Sydney's Water guide to installing a rainwater tank

Rainwater Beer: A Case Study - by RainHarvest Systems

Rainwater System Pump Selection - by RainHarvest Systems

Future Trends: How to Live Sustainably - Vanderbilt University
Home Use of Graywater, Rainwater Conserves Water--and May Save Money - by Joe Gelt
Recommendations for Designing Rain Harvesting Systems - by the Roofwater Harvesting Research Group
Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use - from Texas Environmental Quality
"A Spouse's Guide to Building the Perfect Rain Barrel System" - by Mike Hillman, Master Gardener

Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use - Patricia Waterfall, Univ. of Airzona
Alaska Domestic Water Storage Tanks - Univ. of Alaska at Fairbanks Extension
Rainwater Harvesting Systems for Montana - Montana State University Extension
Rainwater Harvesting Potential and Guidelines for Texas - Texas Water Development Board
Virginia Rainwater Harvesting Manual 2007 - Cabell Brand Center

 

Health and Water Quality Lessons and Best Practices

Environmental Health Directorate from Western Austrailia
Environmental Health Directorate Urban Rainwater Collection
An Austrailian Health Department's Tank Maintenance Guidelines

Drinking Rain Water - ask a scientist

Cleaning Cisterns and Water Tanks
Rain Barrel to Toilet Installation
Rain Harvesting and Insect Control

Reducing Mixing Effects In Water Storage Tanks Using Calming Inlets - D. Brett Manson
World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality

 

Videos on the Internet about Rain Harvest efforts worldwide

ABC News: L.A. Looks at Harvesting Rain Water with TreePeople
Interest in water management blossoms
2008 BuildingGreen Top-10 Products

"Harvesting Rainwater with Rain Barrels, an Old Idea with a New Following" from the Rain Barrel Guide
It's a drop in the bucket, but it's a start
From "This Old House" Roger Cook - how to install rainwater collection

Rain Harvesting System Installation
Wikipedia Rainwater Tank Overview

Steve Fisher's Rainwater Collection
Part 1 - Walkthrough
Part 2 - The Roof
Part 3 - Pre-Storage Filtration and Plumbing
Part 4 - Post-Cistern Sanitation and Pumping

Clackamas County Oregon
Rain Harvesting Part 1

Rain Harvesting Part 2
R
ain Harvesting Part 3

Preparedness 101
Water Storage Part 1 from Anaheim California, Chlorine Considerations
W
ater storage Part 2 "How to store water"

Innovative Rainwater Harvesting
Total Self-Sufficiency from the Rain Barn

Rain Harvesting for Livestock and Wildlife
Rain Harvest on a Greenhouse
Rain Harvesting on a Hunting Cabin
RainHarvest on the Menard Showbarn

Rainwater in a Water Heater - large
Rainwater to Save Energy - large
Using Rainwater in rural areas

Drinking Rainwater with Gord Harms using reverse osmosis and ultra violet light.
Solutions for Development: Rain Harvesting
Small Urban Rainwater Harvesting Systems on Fox News

Water Harvesting Class 'Reshaping' Campus
Altitude's Gant wins Gold Award in the Design for Poverty for creating water harvesting system
WINDMILL: Agent lauded for water conservation, "Educator of the Year"

Collect rainwater to cut down H2O bill
Tired of high water bills? Harvest the rain
Roof-top Hydroelectricity and Slaying Vampire Power Among Low-cost, Energy-Saving Ideas
Health issues Related to Roofing Materials

Treatment for rainwater catchment
Thinking About Rainwater Collection?
Are gutter guards worth the cost?

A good idea if you can get away with it: Rain Harvesting saves water, breaks law in Utah!

Interview with Jim Riley, professor on soil, water, environmental sciences... rain harvesting
Rainwater harvesting advocates bring filter tech to the U.S.

A Sourcebok for Green and Sustainable Building from Green Builder
Tanks, bowls, pipes, crowbar - a gardener's secrets
A Blooming Miracle (Thanks to Original Rainwater Pillows)

Rainwater Systems Australian Guide
Coca-Cola's Latest Environmental Scam
Utah Legislator to sponsor bill allowing rainwater collection by residents
Laws Inconsistent in Their Support of Rainwater Harvesting

Recycled water to meet 20% of Baltimore's needs
Santa Fe County Adopts Water Harvesting Ordinance
Water Abundance in Canada and the United States: Myth or Reality?

Water Harvesting Workshop: The Permaculture Way in San Diego, CA 
Tucson passes rainwater-harvesting law
San Francisco Rolls Out Rainwater Harvesting Drive


Links to articles about RainHarvest Systems

It's Raining Beer, Rain Harvested Micro Brew

Brewpub Makes Beer Using Rain - CNN

When it Rains, it's Beer - Water Rhapsody

RainHarvest Systems Hosts Rainwater-Palooza 2009

Creative Loafing Magazine Article on Rainwater Beer

RainHarvest Systems Partners with 5 Seasons Brewery to Produce Rainwater Beer

Forsyth County News: Harvesting, Harnessing Rain

RainHarvest Systems Opens Largest Rainwater Catchment System Showroom in the Country

Earthtoys RainHarvest Systems PR

RainHarvest Systems’ New Device Keeps Cisterns from Running Dry

Harvesting Rainwater is an Easy Way to Fulfill Green Resolutions

Vision Development Announces RainHarvest Systems as sponsor of its green residential development "The Tree House Project"

Pacific Sun: "Buckets of Rain" - by Marty Olmstead

The EverGreen Home "Green Your Home from Soup to Nuts"

Other Blogs, News, Links, etc.

Dover's Blog
Woodchuck's Blog
Earth Friendly Landscapes Blog
Muse Views Blog
Violet's Blog
Colbron1 Blog
SkinnerVic Blog
Water Welling Blog
Hitor's Delicious Links
Dave Roper's Rainbarrel Page
Eden On Earth
Homeyardandgardendepot
Buldingport.com
Sustainablesources
FindGreenStuff.com
Mark Connelly's Plumbing Service, LLC
Relocalize.net in Asheville - Star Berry Farm
EcoEarth.Info
Climate Ark
Forests.org
Water Conserve
Rainforest Portal
Ocean Conserve
New Earth Rising
SavingwithRain Blog

Greenbuilder SourceBook

Atlantans will pay 12.5% more for water, sewer - AJC News

Waterresourcesgroup
Big Yellow Zone VPASP Enhancements
Visit ScottFox.com for E-Commerce Web Site Success Advice

RainHarvest Systems Product Catalog (PDF, 6.5MB)
RainHarvest Systems Carat Professional Rainwater Collection System Brochure (PDF, 1.3MB)

Proud member: US Green Building Council American Rainwater Catchment Association

Copyright 2010 | RainHarvest Systems LLC - your source for harvesting rainwater
5190 Performance Drive, Cumming, GA 30040