Rain/Snow Harvesting FAQ What is rain/snow harvesting? Rain/snow - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Rain/Snow Harvesting FAQ  What is rain/snow harvesting?  Rain/snow harvesting is simply to capture the rain water on your property.  Where does the water come from?  The water is free! You just capture the rain water as it falls from your roof.  What’s the best way to harvest the water?  You can use anything that will hold water. Most people use a 55 gallon drum to capture and store rain water.

FAQ Continued  Why should I harvest rain water?  Free source of water!  Rainwater is better for plants than chlorinated tap water.  Reduce stormwater runoff  Reduce pollution levels downstream

Basic Water Harvesting System  Gutter along the roof with a leaf screen  Smaller mesh filter between down spout and gutter tank  Good connection to tank  Properly sized storage tank with overflow and drainage valves  Elevate tank 3’ to 4’ for good gravity flow

How much water? Rainwater flows off a roof, through a downspout, and into a barrel or cistern where it is stored for future use. Rain barrel: 55-80 gallon Cistern: 200 + gallons 1000 sq ft roof + 1 in rain = 600+ gallons

What can I do with the water?  Irrigation (outdoor gardens and indoor houseplants)  Car wash / bike wash  Pet wash  Rinsing gardening supplies  Emergency water to flush toilets  So much more!

Considerations  Roof material  Screen  Mosquitoes  Overflow  Linking  Irrigation  Pump/pressure or gravity  Maintenance Not a source of potable water!

Roof Material – Test Results Metal Roof: Asphalt Shingled Roof  Safe for all factors tested  A bit high in Copper, Manganese, and Iron, but well within safe levels for plants.  pH somewhat acidic – 6.5  (6.5 – 8.0 is recommended)

Rain Barrels in Action

Re-work the overflow Direct it along your foundation plantings Previous Workshop Attendee

Garden Self Watering from Rain Barrel Drip Irrigation

Create Your Own Daisy Chain System Previous Workshop Attendee!

Get creative!  Pressurize  Accessorize  Beautify

Gutter Solutions

Cisterns  200 + gallons  above ground or under ground  first flush  gray water reuse

Bringing your barrel home:  Make sure there’s room in your car!  What corner of the house?  Elevation?  Where will you be watering?  Retrofitting your downspout.

Your Barrel Today

Sheri Armstrong Stormwater Manager 803-785-8117 sarmstrong@lex-co.com Kimberly Brown Engineering Associate 803-785-8124 kbrown@lex-co.com