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.

Library of System Designs

If you're looking for a quick-start and would prefer to just browse through our drawings, our Library of Rainwater Collection System Designs is the perfect place to start. In our library you'll find our most popular systems ranging from residential to commercial, above ground and below ground, and from plastic to fiberglass and corrugated steel rainwater harvesting systems. You can download your system design in either PDF or DWG (CAD) formats and we'll be happy to help you customize the system to your needs. Just give us a call at 800-654-WATER (9283).

  

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

 

West Drought Monitor - click here	Northeast Drought Monitor - click here
Midwest Drought Monitor - click here	Southeast Drought Monitor - click here
High Plains Drought Monitor - click here	Georgia Drought Information - click here

 

Quick Learning and Calculating Capture

Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association
Rain Harvesting in 10 steps- By RainHarvesting

What truly is your water footprint?

Wikipedia Article on Rainwater Harvesting

Roof Rainwater Calculator

Downpipe, Eaves, & Gutter Calculator

Optimal Sizing of Gutters for Domestic Rainwater Harvesting

Rain Harvesting - Pumps or Pressure Tanks? by Doug Pushard

Nominal Pipe Sizes: US and International - Wikipedia

 

Water Harvesting Demonstrations

Water Harvesting Financial Incentives and Resources by Brad Lancaster

 

Pest Management for Prevention and Control of Mosquitoes with Special Attention to West Nile Virus

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

Rainwater Harvesting System Control

 

Our Upcoming Trade Shows

 

These events have proven, year after year, to be successful in gathering professionals, from a variety of industries, and leading the conversations that ultimately facilitate countless design innovations and improvements. If you're networking at one of these shows, be sure to stop by our booth to improve your knowledge about the simplicity of rain harvesting!

 

Show Name:	Dates:	Location:
ASPE 2024 Booth 439	October 21-22, 2024	Columbus, OH

 

 

ASPE Convention & Expo

ASPE’s Convention & Expo is the only industry event designed to showcase innovations in plumbing system design—where attendees can learn about the latest plumbing products, services, and design techniques.

 

Product Articles

An Introduction to Water Meters
The Aquatel Wireless Tank Level Monitor
Commercial Fiberglass Rainwater Collection Systems
Flow Inducer Industrial Rainwater Pump Stations
The Graf Carat Tank
The Optimax Industrial Commercial Rainwater Pre-Filter

 

Rainwater Legislation

State Rainwater Harvesting Laws and Legislation - National Conference of State Legislatures
Key West Mandates Cisterns and Green Building Codes NPR
Atlanta Potable Rainwater Catchment Ordinance
Bellingham, WA Rainwater Harvesting Manual
California AB-1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012
California Adopts IAPMO-based Uniform Plumbing Code for Rainwater and Greywater(01/29/2013)
Flagstaff City Council OKs rainwater plan- Arizona Daily Sun
HarvestH2o List of Statutes and Regulations
Atlanta Post Development Stormwater Management Ordinance
Implementing Green Infrastructure in Atlanta
Rainwater Code Updates
Colorado Rainwater Code Update
Cistern Code In Virginia

 

Rainwater Rebates

DSIRE: Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency

Water Rates

The Price of Water 2019: Even Without Federal Infrastructure Deal, Cities Continue to Invest - Circle of Blue

 

Real World Examples, Guides, Suggestions, and Insights

Rainwater System Designs and Drawing Elements for Engineers and Architects - ARCAT
Rainwater Harvesting and Modular Water Storage Systems Specification - ARCAT
RainHarvest Systems BIM Objects - ARCAT

Customizable RainHarvest Sales Brochure- A free, downloadable, customizable sales brochure you can use to grow your business

Rainwater Harvesting Tank Installation (1200 Gallon) - Man About Tools, 1/21
Millions of Americans lack access to running water... - The Counter, 12/20
Rig Up a Rainwater Catchment System - Mother Earth News, 9/20
Solved! Is it Illegal to Collect Rainwater? - BobVila.com, 7/20
Cincinnati Zoo Hits Pay Dirt with Cisterns - Cincinnati Business Journal, 10/19
The Rainwater Tank (2500 Gallon) - Frank Howarth, 5/17
Scottish Brewery Innis & Gunn Releases a Beer Made with Cloud Water - Men's Journal, 11/16

WaterSmart Guide involving simple design and management practices to take advantage of site features.

Guidance on Use of Rainwater Tanks- from the Australian Government

Rainwater Plumbing Guide- from the South Australian Government
Rainwater Beer: A Case Study- by RainHarvest Systems
Rainwater System Pump Selection- by RainHarvest Systems
Future Trends: How to Live Sustainably- Vanderbilt University

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

Air Conditioning Condensate Harvesting- by Phil Weynand, San Antonio Water System

Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use- Patricia Waterfall, Univ. of Arizona

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

A case study of a Commercial Rainwater Collection System

 

Health and Water Quality Lessons, Legislation and Best Practices

Ultraviolet Disinfection in Drinking Water Applications - Jack Holmgreen

Environmental Health Directorate from Western Australia

Environmental Health Directorate Urban Rainwater Collection

An Australian Health Department's Tank Maintenance Guidelines

Drinking Rain Water - ask a scientist

Cleaning Cisterns and Water Tanks

Rain Harvesting and Insect Control

Monitoring a New Green Roof for Water Quality and Quantity - Dr. Charles C. Glass, Mr. Peter A. Johnson

Quantifying Effects of First-Flush on Water Yield and Quality- D. B. Martinson and T.H. Thomas

Evaluation of Contaminant Mixing in Rainwater Harvesting First Flush Diverters- A Thesis by Justin Keith Mechell (195 pages)

Reducing Mixing Effects In Water Storage Tanks Using Calming Inlets- D. Brett Manson

World Health Organization Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality

 

 

Videos about Rainwater Harvesting Efforts Worldwide

DIY Off Grid Rainwater Harvesting - Life Uncontained, 1/20
Rainwater Harvesting Q&A (cost, is it illegal, how I treat, etc.) - Homesteadnomics, 6/17
Rainwater Harvesting Home System Tour - Homesteadonomics, 10/15

ABC News: L.A. Looks at Harvesting Rain Water with TreePeople
From "This Old House" Roger Cook - how to install rainwater collection
Rain Harvesting System Installation

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

Rain Harvesting Part 3

 

Preparedness 101

Water Storage Part 1from Anaheim California, Chlorine Considerations

Water storage Part 2 "How to store water"

 

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

 

 

 

Links to articles about RainHarvest Systems

RainHarvest Systems Partners with 5 Seasons Brewery to Produce Rainwater Beer
RainHarvest Systems Opens Largest Rainwater Catchment System Showroom in the Country