Rainwater Harvesting In Rain Barrels and Cisterns John

Rainwater Harvesting In Rain Barrels and Cisterns John Hammerstrom May 10, 2008 Marathon, Florida

Rainwater Harvesting: Why and how One GREAT reason: Rainwater is FREE!

Overview • Humans have harvested rainwater for millennia • First question: What will be your primary use? • Non-potable system requirements • Potable H 2 O requirements • Can be collected in any quantity from rain barrel to large cistern 3 of 51

Rainwater advantages • The resource is FREE! • Plants thrive - chlorine of utility H 2 O binds nutrients • Very low contaminants - low air pollution in Keys • Superior taste, very soft, neutral p. H, sodium free • Secure, on-site water source during emergency • Reduces storm water runoff 4 of 51

Other reasons • Growing scarcity of potable water • Degradation of quality - brackish water now added • Water restrictions - not applicable to collected rainwater • Rising costs of utility water • Note: no fluoride in rainwater + • LEED points - Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design - U. S. Green Bldg Council 5 of 51

Costs & other issues • Roughly $1 per gallon storage • Non-potable components – Gutters, downspouts, pre-filtration, storage, distribution, installation • Potable - additional costs – Roof surface change? , purification, testing, RPZ valve or T-10 meter, plumbing, installation 6 of 51

Regulatory issues • FKAA encourages rainwater harvesting, and only requires anti-backflow device • South Florida Water Management District encourages rainwater harvesting • Conversion of Septic tank possible for nonpotable use - contact County Health Department 853 -1900 Fran Wagner - Septic to Cistern workshop • Health Department requires cover to prevent mosquito breeding 7 of 51

A = Absent Filtered rainwater Test results ND = None Detected EPA limit Hardness = 23 Moderately soft (suggested limit 100) Test result p. H = 8. 0 Total Dissolved Solids = 38 (limit 500) Turbidity = 0. 2 (limit 1. 0) No EPA limit

EPA Limit Test results 2 Result

EPA limit Test results 3 Result

EPA Limit Result Test results 4 • Note: EPA does not test for pharmaceuticals and

How much can you harvest? • Roughly. 6 gallons per square foot of roof per inch rain, or 600 gallons per 1000 sq. ft. roof • Our roof = 1700 sq. ft. = 1000 gallons per inch of rain • Average year = 40 inches of rain, or 40, 000 gallons • Factoid: Average domestic consumption = 70 gal/day/person 12 of 51

What is your primary use? • Small non-potable for potted plants? • Medium non-potable for landscape use? • Large collection with limited potable use? • Large collection for independent landscape and potable use? 13 of 51

Beautified rain barrels

Large system for potable and non -potable uses - One example • 7, 500 usable gallon, poured-concrete cistern, divided (for servicing) into two separate tanks • Other options - fiberglass, polypropylene, metal • Example system still not large enough for total independence • “Hybrid” system for entire house – Can use either rainwater or utility water – Separated from utility by anti-backflow RPZ valve – Three subsystems depending on availability of rainwater 15 of 51

Rainwater Collection Components • Catchment surface - typically your roof • Gutters and downspouts • Pre-storage contaminant removal • Storage • Delivery and distribution • Purification 16 of 51

Catchment Surface - roof • Best surface is white metal roof Galvalume® is a common solution • Worst is asphalt shingles - leaching. Nonpotable uses only • Concrete - Seal to prevent bacterial growth 17 of 51

Gutters and Downspouts • Large gutters with splash shields for heavy rain - to minimize loss • Do not use lead solder for gutters • Possible gutter leaf guards if tree overhang 18 of 51

Galvalume® roof and copper gutters

Pre-storage contaminant removal • Diverters • Screens • First flush roof washers - two types – Simple, fixed flush - Standpipe with ball valve – Adjustable - Safe. Rain, Smart-Valve 20 of 51

Downspouts Screens Roof Washers

Basket Filter

Safe. Rain® Roof Washer

First Flush

Stark Collection Filter

Stark Volume Filter

Storage Flow through to other 1/2 tank Cistern interior Food-grade Interior coating Pickup with foot valve Fishing line to level indicator Weighted float

Floating Intake 28 of 51

Other Tanks Other tanks

Stark Rainkeeper System 30 of 51

Level indicator and isolation valve From weighted float Gallons per tank Isolation valve

flow Pump, pressure tank, filters Pressure tank

Disconnects Pump and check valve Isolation Valve Check Valve

Purification flow 1 micron filter Carbon block UV Pura® Big Boy Whole House filtration & UV

Purification options Whole house systems - fast flow rates - 15+ gpm – Filtration and UV - cost effective and thorough – Ozone - powerful oxidizer, often used for bottled H 2 O – Chlorination - does not kill cysts of Giardia Point of use systems - slow flow rates, lower volume – Reverse Osmosis, Nanofiltration - flush water lost, energy intense 35 of 51

Distribution valves Choice of rainwater or utility water, depending on availability of preferred rainwater

RPZ (Reduced Pressure Zone)Valve

Costs of Example system whole-house potable system • Up front cost approx. $12, 000 • Annual cost approx. $250 for filters • 8 years of water = 320, 000 gallons or 5 cents per gallon- so far. • Next year (360, 000 gallons) cost declines to 4 cents per gallon, etc. 38 of 51

Other discussion issues • Water is a valuable resource. Worldwide demand exceeds supply • Security - safe, pure water always available • Possible cistern incentive program - FKAA contact at 295 -2171, or www. fkaa. com • Plan on the largest cistern within space and budget constraints - Cistern never too large • Harvesting water connects user to the natural resource and is a constant reminder of its value 39 of 51

Home Leak Check • With all water fixtures turned off, read water meter. Check again in an hour. • If the meter has advanced, you have a leak • Place food coloring in tank of toilet and check overnight to see if color appears in toilet bowl. If so, you have a leak 40 of 51

Landscape water conservation • Native plants - xeriscape • Drip irrigation • Mulch - retains moisture 41 of 51

Note: Drip systems exempt from FKAA water restrictions Native Plants and drip irrigation only needed to establish

Energy- and Water-efficient appliances • Example: front loading washer saves energy & H 2 O • www. energystar. gov 43 of 51

Front loading washing machine

Toilets responsible for 30 -40% of home water consumption • Solutions – Ultra-low flush toilets 6 liters, or 1. 6 gallons • Code requirement since 1993 • Toilet replacement has good ROI – Dual flush • Liquid - 3 liter flush • Solid - 6 liter flush – High Efficiency Toilets - 1. 2 gallon per flush – FKAA - possible toilet rebate 295 -2171 or www. fkaa. com – Waterless urinals 45 of 51

Shut-off valve - suggested water conserving feature Shut-off valve 1. Adjust Temperature and soak 2. Off while lathering 3. On for rinse temperature remains constant 4. Shut off H 2 O

Metlund D’mand® hot water recirculation • Saves water otherwise wasted waiting for hot water. • Push button near faucets • Pumps tepid water from hot water line into cold water line to heater in closed loop until hot water reaches thermostat • 1 minute to get hot water to faucet • Best for showers or washing where use can be anticipated and delayed for a minute • Little wasted waiting for hot water 47 of 51

From heater To heater Pump flow animation Hot Pump stops when hot water arrives at thermocouple Cold

Resources • www. keysglee. com - Florida Keys GLEE • www. arcsa. org - American Rainwater Catchment Systems Assn. • www. harvest. H 2 O. com - useful information • www. starkenvironmental. com - complete systems • www. braewater. com - complete systems • http: //rainwaterharvesting. tamu. edu/index. html - useful info • www. plastictanks. ca - plastic tank source • http: //www. freeflowater. com - underground tanks • This Power. Point presentation available at http: //idisk. mac. com/John. Hammerstrom-Public • My email address: johnhammer@bellsouth. net

Review • Collect free rainwater - in any quantity • Contact FKAA regarding status of toilet and possible Cistern program 295 -2171 • When connecting to central sewer, convert Septic Tanks to non-potable cistern contact Health Department 853 -1900 • Conserve water 50 of 51

Rainwater Harvesting In Rain Barrels and Cisterns John Hammerstrom May 10, 2008 Marathon, Florida