Rain Harvesting

Add On SystemLow Budget

Gary & Brenda Fest

So you don’t have a lot of $$ • Start with– Gutters– Tanks – 3,000 gallons ~$1,200 each – Be sure no

light can enter tanks– Start with what you can afford and add more tanks

later and connect them.– Other costs – • PVC Pipes – Depends on distance from roof and tanks• Food Grade Barrel – $20• Pump, Pressure Tank, Filters – $1,200

Things to Consider

• How much rainfall can I expect?– Annual total– Seasonal distribution

• How much rainwater can I collect?– Collection area

• How much water do I need?– Storage– Household use– Irrigation– Livestock

Rainwater Calculations:• Rain collection for 1 inch of rain on each 1000

sq. ft. of roof is approximately 600 gallons.• Things you need to know before you start.– Average rainfall in inches per year– Roof area in sq. ft.– Daily water usage of each person approximately

50 gal./day– Rainwater storage capacity per person for 120

days.

• Calculate yearly rainfall collection for a roof that is 1000 sq. ft.:

• Rainfall of 28in./yr x 600 gal = 16800 gal.• Calculate usage: for 1 person• 50 gal/day/person x 365 days = 18250 gal.• Calculate minimum storage capacity per

person:• 50 gal/day x 120 days = 6000 gal.

Leaf Eater

Pipe from Roof to First Flush

Drain Plug

First Flush

Storage Tanks

Tanks connect

Pump and PressureTank

Filters & Valve

UV Light & Electrical

Cut Off Valve and Drain Faucet

Important Texas Rainwater Legislation

• Texas Tax Code 151.355 allows for a state sales tax exemption on rainwater harvesting equipment.

• Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents homeowners associations from banning rainwater harvesting installations.

• Texas House Bill 3391 requires rainwater harvesting system technology to be incorporated into the design of new state buildings

• Also allows financial institutions to consider making loans for developments using rainwater as the sole source of water supply.

Rainwater Harvesting Links

• http://www.arcsa.org/ American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association – Certification, webinars and info

• https://www.twdb.texas.gov/innovativewater/rainwater/

Update on Texas laws etc.• https://www.youtube.com/user/CowCreekGCD John

Kight’s videos, especially Creating a Rainwater Harvest System and Residential Rainwater Harvesting

• http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/video-gallery/Billy Kniffen’s rainwater harvesting videos