250 Gallon Poly Rainwater Harvesting System Installation

Over the weekend, we had the privilege of installing a 250 gallon polyethylene rainwater tank for a customer. Below are the before and after photos we took of the installation. 


The 2 pictures below were taken 3 weeks prior to the installation, of the backyard space identified as the best location for the rainwater harvesting system. The determination of tank placement is a collaboration of information taken from our site survey and discussion with the customer of what their precise needs are for the rainwater being harvested. This process allows for the most efficient placement for water usage. 

We arrived bright and early at 7 am to beat the heat. We built the tank pad (round rocks around the base of the tank) and constructed all the PVC fittings needed to connect from the gutter to the tank (inflow) and the water overflow. This includes First Flush Diverter and a Water Level Gauge also installed on the tank. 

Normally our water test involves taking a hose into the gutter to check for leaks from gutter to tank. Today right as we finished the final joint from gutter to inflow, we had a small downpour and thunder. We were able to actually capture a few gallons of rain into the tank. It is music to the ears to hear water going into an empty tank. 

Stay tuned for more pictures as we keep helping customers conserve water in the Brazos Valley and surrounding areas in Texas!


As always, comments and/or questions are always relevant and welcome. 

RainDrop Harvesting Solutions, LLC
www.RainDropSavers.com

Staggering Amount of Water

Recently we were asked to measure for a local College Station apartment complex for the rainwater harvesting potential. We knew there would be plenty of roof space for harvesting but the sheer amount of water that can be collected was mind blowing, even for us since we work with these numbers every day. 

If we collect from every surface in this apartment complex, one inch of rain harvests 53,181 gallons of rainwater. Unfortunately it will not be feasible to capture from every surface since we have limited space for tanks to hold the water. On average (taken from data from the past 10 years) we have had 35 inches of rain annually in College Station, Texas. This means that we could capture 1.8 million gallons of water from this one apartment complex alone in town. 


This is a staggering amount of water that can be harvested and used for numerous purposes. Landscaping is the first use that comes to mind. Filling pools or fountains to beautify the property is another. Potable water use is also an option for drinking, showering and washing clothes etc. 

It is more of a challenge to retrofit an existing complex, but it can be done. We are going to propose capturing from the roofs nearest the areas the owner would like to see the water be used for since that makes the most sense from an economical standpoint. It seems a shame to waste the rest, but since we simply don’t have an empty lot to put a 50,000 gallon tank on the property, we are faced with doing the best we can with the allotted space. 

It is easier to plan for rainwater harvesting with new construction because you can plan where the tanks and everything will go from the start. Retention ponds and drainage can be placed and set where those can be collection points as well into tanks to reduce evaporation issues. 

I am thrilled to see business owners starting to step up and attempt to at least see what it would cost to increase their green footprint. Food for thought is that maybe one day, in areas of severe drought, water of this magnitude could be harvested not only for use, but to be purchased by the cities for treatment and usage for consumption. 

As always, comments and/or questions are always relevant and welcome. 

RainDrop Harvesting Solutions, LLC
www.RainDropSavers.com