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THE RAINWATER CONNECTION
Designing, building and servicingrainwater systems since 2002.
R&D time averaging 350 hrs/year Developing and sale of locally
manufactured components. Actively promoting rainwater use
(public presentation, workshops,demonstration projects).
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The Rainwater Connection is active in: The Southern Gulf Islands; Dry Sections of Vancouver Island, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.
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SEVEN CASEEXAMPLES
Initial Motivation Why They Chose Rainwater? System Features & Costs
GOOD DESIGN + MAINTENANCE = GOOD QUALITY WATER
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Case Examples
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLANDInitial Motivation
Slow, poor quality well. A desire to be part of the solution in their
ground water poor neighbourhood.
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Case Examples
Fire protection reserve.
Converted from a garden watering system“Why should the garden get all the good water?”
“Spend money this year on good water – renovate the bathroom next year.”
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLAND
Why Choose Rainwater?
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Will Rainwater Work for Me?
How MuchWater do I Need?
How MuchCan I
Collect?
How MuchDo I NeedTo Store
For Summer?
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Monthly Rainfall Variations How MuchCan I
Collect?
Our Mediterranean climate requires storing up water to get through the summer.
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How MuchDo I NeedTo Store
For Summer?
2 PersonConserver Household35 G/P/D
Roof Area1,650 sq. ft.
Cistern9,700 Gals.
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How MuchDo I NeedTo Store
For Summer?
2 Person Household45 G/P/D
Needs 25% larger roof area ($3,000)
Needs 1,800 gal. more storage($2,700)
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Case Examples
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLANDSystem Features
Old, but healthy asphalt shingle roof.
Treed site requires seasonal gutter guard(adds $200/yr to maintenance costs).
Aluminum downspout to leaf trap andstandpipe.
Catchment pipe underground.
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Case Examples
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLANDSystem Features
Final gravity filter and flow past roof washer box.
Rainwater surge tank (800 gals) – provision for a manual topping-up with well water.
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Case Examples
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLANDSystem Features
Standard ½ hp Jet pump from surge tank.
50 and 25 micron filters (replace 4-5 times/yr).
To 12,000 gal. polypropylene lined steel cistern200 ft. up the property (50 ft. vertical).
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Case Examples
VICKERS RESIDENCE – THETIS ISLANDSummary
Retrofit.
1,470 sq. ft. roof area and 11,500 gal. steel cistern.
Gravity to surge / pump to cistern / gravity to house supply tank.
Simple particle filter and UV disinfection.
Cost $19,000 (in 2003).
Operation and Maintenance- Owner operated.- Rainwater Connection monitors, and cleans in the
spring and fall ($1,000/yr).
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Case Examples
CHAPMAN RESIDENCE – SOUTH PENDER ISLAND
Initial Motivation Poor quality well with moderate but seasonal
output.
Predisposition to green technologies.
Chemist with knowledge of rainwater quality.
Why Choose Rainwater? A sustainable alternative to expensive water
treatment.
Increased supply as house is expanded.
Fire protection storage.
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Case Examples
CHAPMAN RESIDENCE – SOUTH PENDER ISLANDSystem Features
Simple wall hung system. All-in-one debris pails and cleanable piping.
Roof washer pipe, meshfilter and surge/pump tank (before backfill).
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Case Examples
CHAPMAN RESIDENCE – SOUTH PENDER ISLANDSystem Features
Small automatic oil freesubmersible transfer pump.
To 12,000 gallon steelcistern (before backfill).
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Case Examples
CHAPMAN RESIDENCE – SOUTH PENDER ISLANDSummary
Partial retrofit and part new.
2 buildings with 1,200 sq. ft. roof area and 11,500 gal.cistern. (House will add 1,100 sq. ft.)
1st building gravity to surge tank and pumped, and 2nd building gravity to cistern.
Provision for controlled addition of well water.
Bio sand, particle filter and U.V. disinfection.
Catchment system cost: $4,000 + $2,000 (owners parts & labour)Cistern and winterizing: $17,000.
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDInitial Motivation
“Awful” well water (iron, magnesium, sulfur and salt).
Increased seasonal use. Increased B&B use.
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Case Examples
Desalination from Active Pass –similar capital cost and much higher operating cost.
Preference for natural vs. technical solution.
Large roof catchment area.
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLAND
Why Choose Rainwater?
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDSystem Features 50% asphalt shingle and
50% flat torch-onroofing (water quality challenge).
Small leaf traps andsealed standpipes to carrythe water under the deck.
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDSystem Features
“Miles” of catchment/transport pipe under thedecks incorporate debrispigtails and clean-out plugs.
Roof washer boxrejects first flush of over 3/4 mm. (.05 inch).
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDSystem Features
Water pumped 400 ft. (60 vertical feet) in shallowtrench (winter drain backprevents freeze-up).
Stored in 15,000 gallon cistern (17’6” diameter and 10 ft. tall).
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDSystem Features
Gravity flow from cistern to Bio Sand filter, and 600 gallon “Day Tank”.
Electronics to control flows, protect pumps and limit amount of well water supply.
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Case Examples
MACNAB RESIDENCE – GALIANO ISLANDSummary
Retrofit.
2,500 sq. ft. of roof area and 15,000 gallon cistern.
Gravity to surge/pump to cistern/gravity to housesupply tank.
Bio sand, particle filter and U.V. disinfection.
Cost: $31,500 (including Electrical) in 2003plus $4,500 for water treatment.
Operation and Maintenance- Full monitoring and maintenance contract:
$1,200 year 1 and $800 year 2.
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Case Examples
SWANSON VIEW DRIVE – NORTH PENDER ISLANDInitial Motivation
Water metering and use restrictions of the Trincomali Water District.
Site conditionsfacilitating constructionof a 20,000 gallon cisternunder the garage.
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Case Examples
Toilet and outdoor use to reduce total householddemand.
Relatively low cost ($2,500) for catchment system,filter and roof washer box in vacant basement area.
SWANSON VIEW DRIVE – NORTH PENDER ISLAND
Why Choose Rainwater?
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Case Examples
DOGWOOD LANE – SALT SPRING ISLANDInitial Motivation
Healthy rammedearth house – healthy water.
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Case Examples
More confident in its quality than the piped water supply (12 boil orders last year).
Long term cost saving as piped water rates increase.
DOGWOOD LANE – SALT SPRING ISLAND
Why Choose Rainwater?
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Case Examples
Custom designed all-in-one “debris pails”($250 - $550 each).
DOGWOOD LANE – SALT SPRING ISLAND
System Features
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Case Examples
Double ended underground roof washer during and after construction.
DOGWOOD LANE – SALT SPRING ISLAND
System Features
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Case Examples
2x8 cedar roof structureon 12,000 gallon cistern(cistern price $15,000,plus excavating/backfillcosts).
DOGWOOD LANE – SALT SPRING ISLAND
System Features
“Landscaped”to disappear.
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Case Examples
DEER RUN FARM – SALT SPRING ISLAND
Initial Motivation An active retired man looking for
challenging do-it-yourself project.
Concern that piped water rates are rising.
To be a good ecological neighbour.
Why Choose Rainwater?
To use “his own water”for his extensive garden.
To protect his plants from the chlorine in the piped water. The snow rail is to make roof
and gutter cleaning safer.
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Case Examples
Self built (with 6 hours of design and construction supervision).
2,350 sq. ft. catchment from house and barn. Leaf traps and pipe debris traps
(no filters or roof washing). 6,600 gallons in 3 poly cisterns. Jet pump and pressure tank for
distribution. Total cost approximately $7,000.
DEER RUN FARM – SALT SPRING ISLAND
System Features
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(Islands Trust Fund)
Initial Motivation
Old stream water supplyprovided low volume insummer and unsafe todrink.
Limited volumes madetraditional water treatment methods impractical.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Why Choose Rainwater?
Sustainability is a Trust Fund mandate.
No guarantee of good well water in that area.
Received grants from the VanCity Foundationand others.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
System Features
Rainwater gravity flowto surge tank.
Debris traps, cleanable piping and roof washer pipe.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
System Features
Rainwater pumped to cistern.
Overflow at surgetank.
Controlled supplemental stream water by gravity.
Gravity from cistern to Bio Sand.
Day tank to pump, filters and U.V.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Under Construction
Northwest Corner.All-in-one debris pail and pipe to surge tank. Water lines into house.
Southwest Corner.3” catchment pipe,cleanout plug, leaf catcher and debris trap.
Roof washer andoverflow pipes.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Under Construction
Digging the trenchand cistern pad.
Running the pipe.
Help with backfilling.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Under Construction
Completing the roof on the 6,000 gallon cistern.
Compacting and leveling the pad.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Under Construction
System Electronics Team- Two electricians, a plumberand the rainwater crew.
Tidying up the mess.
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Case Examples
RUBY ALTON HOUSE DEMONSTRATION PROJECT(ISLANDS TRUST FUND)
Overall a pretty interesting project!
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SUGGESTIONS TO SUPPORTRAINWATER HARVESTING
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Case Examples Technical:
- In depth water quality testing;- Increased product testing, e.g. roofing materials;- Economic feasibility studies for commercial buildings.
Policy:- Official policy statements;- Locally relevant – Rainwater Harvesting Guide;- Public education programs (demonstration projects and
resource centre)
Regulatory:- Supportive OCP’s;- Changes to subdivision By-laws;
Construction guidelines to provide “comfort blanket of quality”;- Water metering and variable water rates;- Tax rebates and capital cost subsidies;- Operation and maintenance guidelines.
Suggestions to Support Rainwater Harvesting
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FIVE YEAR OUTLOOK
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Case Examples Experience:
- Quadrupled over last 4 years.
Forecast:- Expect similar growth rate.
Why?- Building and population boom in region - Larger house sizes- Increasing public awareness and government support- Decreasing fear of quality- Reducing water supplies (ground and piped)- Increasing costs of water treatment- More water restrictions (local government and Water District)- Higher commitment to green and sustainable practices- Desire to be off grid.
5 Year Outlook
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RAINWATER, a clean,
sustainablealternative
Prepared by Bob Burgess The Rainwater Connection
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SUPPLEMENTARYSLIDES
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Canadian urban areas considering itWho is catching the rain?
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Canadian urban areas considering itWho is catching the rain?
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Rainwater HarvestingSystem Schematic
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SystemComponents
GRAVITY FLOW SYSTEMS
Gravity Direct to Tank
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SystemComponents
GRAVITY FLOW SYSTEMS
Gravity Down and Up
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LEAF and DEBRIS TRAPSSystemComponents
4” High Capacity Debris Trap
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LEAF and DEBRIS TRAPSSystemComponents
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LEAF and DEBRIS TRAPSSystemComponents
All-in-One Debris Pails
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SystemComponents
DEBRIS TRAPPING IN CATCHMENT PIPING
Clean-Outs on Horizontal Pipes and Debris Pigtails
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Case Examples
GARDEN WATERING SYSTEMS
Direct Gravity Flow to Tank is Commonplace for Garden Quality Water
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Case Examples
AUTOMATIC DRIP WATERING SYSTEMS
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Case Examples
“G&S” IRRIGATION SYSTEM
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Case Examples
“G&S” IRRIGATION SYSTEM
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Case Examples
“DAWSON” IRRIGATION SYSTEM
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Case Examples
“SMITH” IRRIGATION SYSTEM
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Case Examples
“HENDERSON” IRRIGATION SYSTEM
