UBIF WATER SYSTEMS GUIDE: Rainwater Harvesting & Conservation

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RAINWATER HARVESTING OVERVIEW

WHAT IS IT?
Collecting rainfall from roofs and surfaces for non-potable uses:
→ Irrigation and landscaping
→ Toilet flushing
→ Cleaning
→ Emergency backup water

NOT FOR DRINKING (without advanced treatment)

SCALE OPTIONS:
→ Residential: 1,000-5,000 gallons collected
→ Community: 50,000-500,000 gallons
→ Municipal: 1 million+ gallons

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COMPONENTS OF A RAINWATER SYSTEM

1. COLLECTION SURFACE (Roof)
   ↓
2. GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS
   ↓
3. FIRST-FLUSH DIVERTER
   (Removes dirt/debris from first rain)
   ↓
4. STORAGE TANK
   (Underground cistern or above-ground tank)
   ↓
5. FILTRATION
   (Sand/gravel filter for sediment)
   ↓
6. PUMP & DISTRIBUTION
   (Gravity or electric to use points)
   ↓
7. OVERFLOW/DRAINAGE
   (Back to storm drains or landscape)

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SIZING A RAINWATER SYSTEM

FORMULA:
Annual Collection = Roof Area (sq ft) × Annual Rainfall (inches) × 0.6

Example for Warrensburg area (35" annual rainfall):
- House with 2,000 sq ft roof
- 2,000 × 35 × 0.6 = 42,000 gallons/year
- That's 115 gallons per day on average

TANK SIZE:
Don't need to store entire year's rain.
Use 1-month supply as general rule:
- 42,000 gallons ÷ 12 months = 3,500 gallons ideal tank

Practical sizes:
- Residential: 500-5,000 gallons
- Community building: 10,000-50,000 gallons
- Agricultural: 100,000+ gallons

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STORAGE TANKS

ABOVE-GROUND TANKS
Cost: $1,000-5,000 for 2,000-5,000 gallons

Pros:
✓ Easy to inspect and maintain
✓ Can monitor water level
✓ Easier installation
✓ Visual reminder of water

Cons:
✗ Takes up space
✗ Aesthetics (but can be landscaped)
✗ Must be screened to prevent mosquitoes
✗ Temperature affects water quality

BELOW-GROUND CISTERNS
Cost: $5,000-15,000 for 5,000-10,000 gallons

Pros:
✓ No visual impact
✓ Temperature regulated by earth
✓ Larger capacity possible
✓ Space-saving

Cons:
✗ Harder to inspect
✗ Installation complexity
✗ Must have good drainage around it
✗ Inaccessible for repairs

TANK MATERIAL:
→ Plastic (most affordable, UV protection needed)
→ Fiberglass (durable, expensive)
→ Concrete (long-lasting, heavy)
→ Metal (industrial use, rust risk)
→ Food-grade containers (repurposed)

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FILTRATION & TREATMENT

FOR NON-POTABLE USE (Irrigation):
→ Simple mesh screen: Remove leaves/debris
→ Sand filter: Filter to ~100 microns
→ Settling tank: Let sediment drop out

Cost: $500-2,000

FOR TOILET FLUSHING:
→ Add activated charcoal filter
→ UV light or chlorination
→ Regular tank cleaning

Cost: $2,000-5,000

FOR DRINKING WATER (Advanced):
→ Multi-stage filtration (sediment, carbon, fine)
→ UV sterilization or UV + ozone
→ Testing and monitoring required
→ Not recommended without professional help

Cost: $5,000-15,000 (requires maintenance)

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TYPICAL SYSTEM COSTS

SIMPLE RESIDENTIAL SYSTEM (Irrigation only)
- Tank: $2,000
- Gutters/downspouts: $500
- First-flush diverter: $200
- Pump and fittings: $500
- Installation: $1,000
TOTAL: $4,200

MODERATE COMMUNITY SYSTEM (Multi-use)
- Tank (10,000 gal): $8,000
- Gutters/downspouts: $2,000
- Filtration system: $3,000
- Pump/pressure tank: $2,000
- Installation & labor: $5,000
TOTAL: $20,000

LARGE MUNICIPAL SYSTEM (50,000 gal)
- Underground storage: $30,000
- Advanced filtration: $10,000
- Pumping/distribution: $15,000
- Installation: $20,000
TOTAL: $75,000

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PERMITTING & REGULATIONS

Check with your LOCAL AUTHORITY:
→ Some areas restrict rainwater harvesting
→ Water rights may be owned by state
→ Building permits required
→ Plumbing code compliance

Generally approved for:
✓ Irrigation (lawns, gardens)
✓ Toilet flushing
✓ Cleaning (vehicles, equipment)

May need permits for:
⚠ Drinking water systems
⚠ Large commercial systems
⚠ Changes to property drainage

STEP 1: Check local regulations
STEP 2: Get permits (usually $100-500)
STEP 3: Install with permitted contractors

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WATER CONSERVATION STRATEGIES

INDOOR (30-40% of use):
→ Low-flow toilets (1.28 gpf vs 3.5 gpf standard)
→ Aerator faucets (save 25% water)
→ Efficient washing machines
→ Fix leaks immediately

Cost: $500-2,000 per household

OUTDOOR (60-70% of use in summer):
→ Drip irrigation (vs sprinklers): 30-50% more efficient
→ Mulch gardens (reduces evaporation)
→ Drought-resistant plants
→ Smart irrigation controllers

Cost: $200-1,000 per property

BEHAVIORAL:
→ Shorter showers (5 min vs 8 min = 12 gal saved)
→ Turn off tap while brushing teeth
→ Full loads for laundry/dishwasher
→ Water plants at dawn/dusk

COST: FREE, saves 15-30% water

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WATER QUALITY MONITORING

Test annually for:
→ pH (should be 6.5-8.5)
→ Turbidity (clarity)
→ Bacteria (E. coli)
→ Chemical contaminants

Cost: $100-300 per test
Labs: Contact your county health department

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PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE

PHASE 1: PLANNING (1-2 months)
→ Resource assessment
→ Need calculation
→ Site evaluation
→ Regulatory review

PHASE 2: DESIGN (1-2 months)
→ System design
→ Engineering drawings
→ Permit applications
→ Cost estimation

PHASE 3: FUNDING (2-4 months)
→ Grant research (USDA, EPA, state)
→ Community fundraising
→ Budget finalization

PHASE 4: INSTALLATION (2-4 months)
→ Contractor selection
→ Permitting
→ Construction
→ Testing

PHASE 5: OPERATION (Ongoing)
→ System monitoring
→ Maintenance (quarterly cleaning)
→ Community education
→ Optimization

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SUCCESS STORIES & RESOURCES

Examples of working systems:
→ Santa Fe, NM: Municipal rainwater collection
→ Portland, OR: Residential program adoption
→ Austin, TX: Community cistern networks
→ Brooklyn, NY: Urban rooftop systems

Learning resources:
→ Texas Water Development Board: Free guides
→ EPA Water Sense: Best practices
→ Local watershed councils: Regional support
→ American Rainwater Catchment Association

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