American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association

www.arcsa.orgwww.arcsa.org

Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting

100 Level

Welcome!!

Doug Pushard - ARCSA DirectorDoug Pushard - ARCSA Director

Santa Fe, NM

Doug.Pushard@ARCSA.org

Doug@HarvestH2o.com

• Introduction

• Watershed Stewardship

• Passive Collection

• Rainfall

• Collection from roof to container

Level 100 Agenda

• Collection from roof to container

– For Outdoor Use

– For Indoor Use

• Sanitation

• Maintenance

• Questions

The mission of ARCSA

To promote sustainable rainwater To promote sustainable rainwater

harvesting practices to help solve

potable, nonpotable, stormwater

and energy challenges

throughout the world

ARCSA Education courses

are structured into three levels

"Introduction to Rainwater Harvesting," Level 100, is geared to those who are new to the concept of rainfall capture for use in non-potable applications such as

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use in non-potable applications such as landscape irrigation.

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ARCSA Education courses

are structured into three levels

Level 200: "Rainwater Harvesting Accreditation" course is designed for industry professionals or for those individuals desiring to pursue a career

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individuals desiring to pursue a career in rainwater management. The completion of the Level 200 course is a requirement for attaining accreditation as an ARCSA Accredited Professional.

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ARCSA Education courses

are structured into three levels

ARCSA offers a variety of Level 300 special courses. They are designed to provide specialized knowledge on various industry topics such as piping design, sanitation, pumps and controls, water ecology and

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topics such as piping design, sanitation, pumps and controls, water ecology and other topics. Design and Construction Workshops for all but required to become a “Certified Professional”

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Fresh water is an infinitely

replenishable resource,

but at a finite and

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but at a finite and

variable rate

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Why Harvest Rainwater?

• Reduces the amount of storm water.

• Reduces the reliance on potable water.

• Renewable and sustainable.

• Ground water over pumping. Increased processing

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• Economical saves you money

• Drought manmade or naturally occurring.

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World Population

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Definitions

Rain is liquid precipitation, as opposed to non-liquid kinds of precipitation such as fog, snow, hail and sleet. Rain requires the presence of a thick layer of water vapor in the atmosphere to have temperatures below the dew point that

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have temperatures below the dew point that causes condensation. On Earth, it is the condensation of atmospheric water vapor into drops of water heavy enough to fall as rain, often making it to the surface.

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Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing, of rainwater collected from the roofs of houses, tents, local institutions and other above ground impervious surfaces. It has been used for potable and non-potable in-home use,

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used for potable and non-potable in-home use, livestock, irrigation, wildlife, firefighting or to refill aquifers in a process called groundwater recharge. Water runoff from the ground, roads, parking lots impervious areas is called Stormwater harvesting.

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Impervious Surfaces

Impervious surfaces are mainly constructed surfaces that are impenetrable by water and contribute to storm water runoff and the heat island effect. Pervious or porous surfacesallow some water infiltration, thereby reducing

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allow some water infiltration, thereby reducing runoff. - USGBC

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Runoff

Runoff is a term used to describe when soil is infiltrated to full capacity with water, from rain, snowmelt, or other sources. This is a major component of the water cycle. When runoff flows along the ground, it can pick up soil

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flows along the ground, it can pick up soil contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides (in particular herbicides and insecticides), or fertilizers that pollute water sources. – USGBC

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Stormwater

Stormwater is water that accumulates during precipitation rather than soaking into the ground.

Stormwater runoff is a cause of pollution; water running off of impervious surfaces

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water running off of impervious surfacesaccumulates pollutants such as gasoline, fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) and brings them into water bodies. Stormwater runoff also erodes soil and waterways.

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Stormwater Reduction

Pervious surfaces, stormwater detention systems, or rainwater catchment systemsreduce stormwater runoff.

Stormwater detention systems regulate and control runoff by slowing the rate of discharge to

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control runoff by slowing the rate of discharge to reduce impacts downstream. Stormwater retention systems store water, until it is lost through percolation, evaporation, or is taken up by plants.

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Stormwater Issues

Stormwater is the greatest threat to the health of surface water.

Stormwater is not treated.

Stormwater is directly related to Impervious

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Stormwater is directly related to Impervious Surfaces up stream.

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Residential WastewaterGraywater or Greywater or Gray Water is untreated household wastewater that has not come into contact with toilet waste, including water from:

– Showers

– Bathtubs

– Hand washing lavatories

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– Hand washing lavatories

– Sinks (not used for disposal of hazardous or toxic materials)

– Sinks (not used for food preparation or disposal)

– Clothes-washing machines (excludes diapers and other human excreta)

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Residential Wastewater

Blackwater is wastewater from toilets and urinals and wastewater from preparation sinks.

– Depending on local codes, water from kitchen sinks, showers, and bathtubs may either be considered blackwater or

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either be considered blackwater or graywater.

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Reused, Recycled or

Reclaimed Water

The WateReuse Association defines reused, recycled or reclaimed water as water that is used more than one time before it passes back into the natural water cycle. Thus, water recycling is the reuse of treated wastewater for

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recycling is the reuse of treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, or replenishing a groundwater basin (referred to as groundwater recharge).

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Non-Potable Water

Non-potable water is not fit for consumption without treatment that meets or exceeds EPA drinking water standards. Graywater and rainwater (not disinfected) are non-potable waters that can be used in toilets, for washing

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waters that can be used in toilets, for washing cars, etc. and the use of either reduces the demand for potable water, conserving this vital resource. - USGBC

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Potable Water

Potable water is water suitable for drinking and supplied from wells or municipal water systems. – USGBC

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And properly captured and disinfected rainwater.

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Pervious or Porous Surfaces

Pervious or porous surfaces allow water infiltration, which reduces runoff. One example is an open-grid paving system, which allows space for vegetation – the vegetations’ evapotranspiration reduces the heat island

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evapotranspiration reduces the heat island effect caused by pavement. - USCBC

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Conservation & Efficiency First

• Conservation - change habit patterns

• Efficiency - same habits with less waste • Efficiency - same habits with less waste

• It makes little sense to invest in RWH to augment supply if conservation and efficiency opportunities have not been fully exploited.

Rainwater systems have been

used for centuries.

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Hadrian’s Wall, England

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2929Hadrian’s Wall - Dr. Bill Hunt, NCSU BAE

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Drought - Demand versus Supply

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Lake Lanier, Cumming, GA, September 2007

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Tucson, AZ

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20071904

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Flooding

Reduce Stormwater Runoff

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Improve Water Quality

NPS (non point source) Stormwater Runoff Pollution is the greatest threat to the health of our aquatic systems.

Urbanization Effects on Hydrologic Cycle—Impacts of Impervious Surfaces.

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of Impervious Surfaces.

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Pre Development

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Post Development

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Why is Stormwater a concern?

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Silt and Sediment

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Chemical Contaminants

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Industrial NonPoint Source

Runoff

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Animal Waste

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Slide credit: Tom Blue

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Stream Degradation

Impacts due to urbanization: changes to stream geometry such as stream widening, bank erosion, down cutting, loss of canopy and increase in the floodplain elevation.

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Stream Degradation

Impacts to aquatic habitat

• Degradation of habitat structure

• Loss of pool riffle structure

• Reduction in base flow

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• Increased stream temperature

• Decline in abundance and biodiversity

Urban Watersheds

• Increased stormwater peak flow

• Increased stormwater volume

• Higher nutrient and contaminant loading

• Reduced ground water recharge

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• Stream degradation

• Pollution in lakes

Passive Collection

• Design landscapes to reduce runoff - hold the water - LID

• Water diversions

• Permeable paving

• Bog Gardens

• Green roofs

• Stormwater ponds

• Rain gardens - bio retention

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iowalakesrcd.org

LID - Low Impact Development

LID is increasingly being adopted as an alternative to

traditional water management systems.

LID includes practices such as bio-retention, green

roofs, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavements.roofs, rainwater harvesting, and permeable pavements.

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Decentralized Urban BMPs

Best Management Practices (BMPs) that are applied

at the source of the stormwater rather than at the outlet

of the conveyance system.

Why? To reduce stormwater volume, flow rate and

pollutants such as animal waste, fertilizer, oils, etc.pollutants such as animal waste, fertilizer, oils, etc.

Example Soil Infiltration Systems

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Components - System Design

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Permeable Pavement

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rvtravel.com

Green Roofs

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Stormwater Ponds

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NCSU BAE

What is a Rain Garden

(Bioretention)?A rain garden is a beautiful

landscape feature consisting

of a planted shallow depression

that collects rainwater runoff

from roofs, parking lots and

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from roofs, parking lots and

other impervious surfaces.

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iowalakesrcd.orgcmhc-schl.gc.ca

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UGA Rain Garden

Rain gardens are a relatively new innovation for landscapes. They are designed to capture and

absorb storm water run-off flowing across landscapes. Rain Garden are an example of a home

landscape garden that helps us recycle water by returning it to our groundwater reserves. Our

design includes a beautifully-shaped retention area containing and bordered by various

perennials that are adapted to extremes in soil moisture. UGA.edu

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www.caes.uga.edu/campus/griffin/garden/RainGarden.htm

Rain Garden - Texas StyleMenard, Texas

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Rain Garden Resources

www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design/links.htm

How to Design a Rain Garden

• American Horticultural Society Heat Zone Map - www.ahs.org/pdfs/05_heat_map.pdf

• American Horticultural Society USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map - www.ahs.org/pdfs/USDA_Map_3.03.pdf

• Georgia - Athens/Clarke County - Rain Garden - www.accstormwater.com/publicinfo/Build_a_Rain_Garden.pdf

• Georgia - Clean Water Campaign - How to design a rain garden - www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/636.htm• Georgia - Clean Water Campaign - How to design a rain garden - www.cleanwatercampaign.com/html/636.htm

• Michigan - Rain Gardens of West Michigan - www.raingardens.org

• North Carolina - Cooperative Extension www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/raingarden

• Rain Garden Network - www.raingardennetwork.com

• Tennessee - The Harpeth River Rain Gardens for Backyards - www.harpethriver.org/backyard_raingardens.html

• Wisconsin - University of Wisconsin Extension - http://clean-water.uwex.edu/pubs/home.htm

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Rain Barrels - Make it Right! 5 basics to make your own:

1. Dark - minimize UV

2. Locking lid - safety

3. Food grade barrel or

new barrel

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new barrel

4. Screen ports and

openings

5. Adequate overflow

Lots of Barrel Options

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www.ne-design.net

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Questions?

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