Once these components are in place, the process is simple: The rainwater runs from the roof, through the gutters and downspouts, and into the cistern. The water passes through a screen or other filter, which takes out large debris. A variety of pump systems can be used to retrieve the water from the storage tank.
Cisterns should be protected from direct sunlight to prevent the growth of algae and other microorganisms. They should be equipped with overflow pipes, and rainwater overflow should be piped to the storm system.
Which Type?
Above-ground cisterns can be attractive (or, if they aren’t, hidden by some type of screening). In many areas of the country where it’s difficult to dig, these vessels are the only option. The up-side to them is that they can be easily cleaned and maintained. Their downside is that they can’t be used year-round in cold regions because they may crack if they freeze.
Above-ground cisterns are made from metal, fiberglass, or plastic. A popular and cost-effective above-ground option is The Original Rainwater Pillow by Rainwater Collection Solutions. This product is easy to add as part of your green home package because of its easy installation (no hole to dig) and reasonable cost.
The customizable product can hold from 1,000 to 200,000 gallons of water. Made of a reinforced polymer alloy, the unit is fl exible but not elastic. “We can customize this product to the exact size,” explains company owner Jim Harrington. “It is horizontal, so it can be placed in the most wasted spaces in a home—under a deck or in a crawlspace.”
The storage system works with any external pump. While Harrington admits that under-ground systems have the benefit of ground heat to keep them from freezing, he says winterizing a RainPillow is simple: You drain the pump outside and either leave it where it is or fold the pillow and store it elsewhere. Then, you divert the water at the downspout until you can hook it back up to the unit again. Harrington also notes that if you place the catchment system in a conditioned crawlspace, you don’t have to worry about it freezing.
To give an idea of the cost, Harrington says that a basic 2,000-gallon unit costs $3,500, has only three fittings, and can be installed for about $400 using the installer kit. Another above-ground system is the Rainwater HOG, which retails for about $300.
IS IT SAFE?
Your home buyers may have questions about the safety and cleanliness of captured rainwater. The prevailing wisdom is that if a “first divert” is used to discard the first portion of a rain event, then the level of potential contaminants is significantly diminished. The National Sanitation Foundation has more information on this topic.
Visit
http://www.nsf.org/consumer/rainwater_collection/index.asp?program=WaterTre
RAINXCHANGE HARVESTING SYSTEM
The Aquascape RainXchange Harvesting System is a good option for a homeowner who wants to combine a recirculating decorative water feature with a sub-surface rainwater harvesting collection system. The system stores and filters rainwater, which it recirculates into a water feature, such as a bubbler fountain or a waterfall.
www.rainxchange.com
CULTEC RESIDENTIAL RAINWATER HARVESTING
Cultec’s residential rainwater harvesting program can greatly reduce household demand for clean non-potable water supply. The company’s Recharger and Contactor chambers capture and store rainwater that can be used for such activities as irrigation, fire prevention, sprinkler reserve, and exterior cleaning.
www.cultec.com
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