SITES & ORGANIZATIONS - we'll
be happy to get you listed here and discuss other opportunities
for
more information
Getting
Started with Rain Barrels-
The documents below will help you get started. They focus
on easy ways to get started with rain barrels.
What
is a Rain Barrel - One page overview of what a rain barrel
system is and with pictures of several different styles.
Rainwater
Collection Video
- A great introduction to installing a rainwater collection barrel;
includes a step by step on how to do it instructions, a video
and a build list of materials.
Build
a Rain Barrel
- Simple, two pages on how to convert a barrel into a rain barrel.
Illustration courtesy of the Covington Water District
Building a Rainwater Harvesting System - A very thorough, step-by-step video that explains how to build a rainwater collection system using rain barrels.
Construct a Rain Barrel - Great step by step instructions and parts list on how to make
a rain barrel from a barrel.
Construct a Rain Barrel for $20 - Powerpoint presentation by York County Parks & Recreationon how to make a rain barrel from a barrel including a list of materials.
Green Rainwater - A simple and short lesson on how to build a very attractive rainbarrel to collect rain. Assumes you have a rainbarrel to start with.
Locate a Barrel Near You - Locate a barrel in your area by zip code. These are usually free or low-cost used barrels that the above instructions can be used with to create a low-cost, very attractive rainbarrel to collect rain.
Rainbarrel Maintenance 101 - Like most things around your home, your rainbarrel needs a little regular attention to keep working smoothly. Here are some simple recommendations to keep your barrels clean and healthy.
Rainbarrel to Toilet - How to Guide - Good guide on how to connect a rainbarrel to a normal everyday toilet and use rainwater instead of clean drinking water in the toilet.
12
Water Saving Tips
- This easy to read 2 page brochure will help you with some quick
and easy steps to save water inside and outside your home.
Outdoors
Water Saving Tips
- Before moving up to a bigger rainwater collection
system, try these easy tips to save water around your home.
It is always a good investment to conserve water.
Getting
Started with Tanks and Cisterns - if
you're interested in larger scale systems including tanks and
pumps...
Sustainable
Building Sourcebook: Rainwater Harvesting
- An in
depth information resource on rainwater systems and components.
Some information Austin,
TX
specific, but a lot of the information can be used in planning
systems anywhere.
Specifications
of Rain Barrels and Cisterns
- General short article on how to build low cost rain barrels.
Developed for developing countries but applicable to anyone who
just wants to build a low-cost starter system.
Texas
Guide to Rainwater Harvesting - Great online publication that gives an A to Z overview of rainwater
systems. Some information is specific to Texas,
but most of the information is extremely useful to all systems.
First
Flush Device Comparison
- Good in depth article on comparison of different first flush
methods. It is written by a provider of a first flush product.
How to Guides - Save time and money by purchasing these Guides. Guide on Building a Floating Filter, Properly Sizing Gutters and one on Sizing the Cistern, based on Supply and Demand.
Advanced
Rainwater Systems -
Want to read latest research from around the world or understand
the math. This section is for you.
Gutter
Design for Rainwater Harvesting - If you are interested in designing your own gutters or understanding
the math behind gutters, this is the article for you. The
article has some general information pertaining to Uganda,
but overall a very in depth article on gutters.
Harvesting
Rainwater for Landscape Use
- An Arizona Department of Water Resources publication.
It covers from simple to complex system with specific examples
and data for Arizona.
The manual includes rainfall data for Phoenix
and Tucson
and a section on calculating water needs.
National Sanitation Foundation Protocol P151 - This NSF webpage listing the health effects from Rainwater Catchment components. It allows you to search by vendor or product category.
Rainwater Harvesting in Rural Areas - This website/paper outlines the use of rainwater harvesting for drinking purposes and agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions like the Brazilian Semi-Arid Tropics.
Rainwater Harvesting - Technical Brief - This paper published by WaterAid outlines the use and building of ferrocement jars and cisterns for low-cost rainwater harvesting for drinking purposes and agriculture in arid regions and poorer regions of the world.
How to Guides - Save time and money by purchasing these Guides. Guide on Building a Floating Filter, Properly Sizing Gutters and one on Sizing the Cistern, based on Supply and Demand.
Rainwater Harvesting Research - With the growth of rainwater harvesting, universities and research organizations around the world are performing indepth research in to various aspects of rainwater harvesting systems. This section of the website lists some of the latest research from around the world.
Texas A&M University - Evaluation of Contaminant Mixing in Rainwater First Flush Diverters - The primary study
evaluated the influence of flow rate, diverter chamber diameter, and diverter chamber to
downspout transition fitting on the movement of contaminants within a downspout first
flush diverter. One key finding of the study - Utilizing a straight tee as a transition fitting with a floating ball, acting as a barrier
between water collected in the diverter chamber of a downspout first flush diverter and
the flow passing through the transition fitting, limited diverted water from interacting
with the subsequent flow of harvested rainwater. >> more
Water Quality Research Australia - Water Quality
and Health Risks
from Urban
Rainwater Tanks - Overall the chemical water quality analysis shows that rainwater in Australia is soft water with low total
dissolved solids or salts, which is in agreement with studies in other countries (Hontoria et al. 2003).
Water from tanks in urban Australia is generally slightly acidic. One key finding of the study - Results obtained from rainwater tank studies described in this report showed that tank water is of
relatively poor microbiological quality compared with conventional Australian urban water supplies.
Furthermore, the detection of enteric bacterial pathogens, Campylobacter spp and Salmonella spp.>> more
Penn State Harrisburg - Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape Irrigation - One aspect of green engineering and sustainable design is how man interacts with the hydrologic cycle. This includes how stormwater runoff is managed and whether runoff is viewed as a waste product or an opportunity. Rainwater harvesting is a critical component in integrated urban water management. If rainwater harvesting barrels/collection tanks are widely distributed and used in conjunction with other water-sensitive development practices such as low impact development and/or conservation design, a substantial fraction of runoff can be removed from the drainage system.>> more
University of Exeter - Rainwater Harvesting in the UK - Current Practice and Future Trends - Rainwater harvesting (RWH), where nunoff from roofs and impervious areas is collected and utilised, is receiving renewed attention as an alternative water source. RWH requires less treatment than greywater recycling, if being used for non-potable demand such as toilet flushing. However, there are challenges to overcome in the promotion and implementation of RWH in the UK; it is a relatively unproven technology and there are still many concerns to be assuaged. Nevertheless, the situation is beginning to change with welcome moves coming from the Government, the UKRHA and housing developers themselves, in response to an increasingly challenging water resources situation. This paper will provide a brief introduction to RWH, along with an overview of the current and future prospects of the technology within the UK.>> more
Portland State University - Neighborhood Level Analysis of Rainwater Catchment - A recent research project by Brad Crowley, home-based cisterns were compared against the $1.4 billion “Big Pipe” program to upgrade the current Portland, OR combined storm water and sewer system. At stake is a way to reduce the estimated 2.8 billion gallons of raw sewage and stormwater that is dumped annually into the Willamette river. The study discovered that harvesting rainwater onsite may be a more cost-effective and environmentally sensitive approach to the public works projects. >> more
If you are interested in listing your research on this website, please email us.
Worldwide Information
Sites - These
sites and sample installations should give you plenty of ideas of what's
possible.
American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA) - The premiere organization in North America that educates and certifies Accredited Professionals in North America to design and install catchment systems. Also holds an annual conference and lists member vendors and professionals in the industry on their website.
The
Brethren of Cisterns
- A short article, Texas
specific, on the history of cisterns in the area.
Rainwater
Harvesting for Montana
- If you are from Montana
and interested in Catchment systems, this is the article for you.
Covers the system basics and points you to courses at
MontanaStateUniversity.
Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices - This report provides information to cities, counties, states, private-sector developers and others on the costs and benefits of using Low Impact Development (LID) strategies and practices to help protect and restore water quality. Report includes rainbarrels and cisterns as one way to reduce stormwater runoff.
SearNet - Southern and East Africa Rainwater Network website containing useful links to projects within the member countries as well as general information links and stories.
International Rainwater Catchment System Association (IRCSA) - The International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (IRCSA) aims to promote and advance rainwater catchment systems technology with respect to planning, development, management, science, technology, research and education worldwide.
Avant-Gardening
- "You
can grow" using gardening
as a medium
for creative expression and spiritual growth. Extensive sustainable
organic gardening information, workshops, monthly newsletter,
formal tea gardens, virtual tours,
links/resources and more!
HDRA
- A UK-based organization that researches and publishes the latest
research dealing with organic gardens.
Organic
Gardening Magazine
- Magazine and website covering all the aspects of organic gardening.
Site also has an online community for posting questions.
Permaculture Activist Magazine - North America's leading and the world's longest-lived permaculture periodical you'll find information about permaculture design, edible landscaping, bioregionalism, ecovillage design, aquaculture, natural building, earthworks, forestry, soils, agriculture, urban sustainability, renewable energy, regeneration & restoration, and many practical solutions. life
Surfacewater and ground water are directly related and extremely critical to both our quantity and quality of US water. The following organizations are dedicated to preserving these precious and periled resources.
American Rivers 1025 Vermont Ave. NW Suite 720 Washington, DC 20005
City Trees – Sustainability Guidelines and Best Practices Guide for Urban Areas in pdf format
EarthToys- Alternative
and Renewable Energy News, Emagazine and News.
Eco-Portal - An information
gateway empowering the movement for environmental sustainability.
EcoSchool
- Design
- A web site that seeks to assist
schools, and those who care about them, in transforming paved
schoolyards into vibrant ecosystems for outdoor learning.
Frugal Country Living - Don't just dream about it - live the life of your dreams! A website full of creative living ideas, to help you live the good life - on the income you already have!
GreenHomeBuilding -
A website featuring information on solar heating, renewable energy,
water conservation, recycled materials and natural buildings.
Greenmatters
- Quick access to tools, solutions, and examples that simplify
the busy person's commitment to green living, e-activism and responsible
consumerism.
Permaculture Institute - Learning Center for Practical Sustainability Skills. We teach dryland permaculture, beekeeping, watershed management, rainwater harvesting and natural building, with focus in Southwest and New Mexico.
Clean Water Act- The primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the symbolic goals of eliminating releases to water of toxic amounts of toxic substances,
Earth
Works Institute
- A non-profit
organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the natural
environment by developing and promoting models of natural systems
to create sustainable, self sufficient communities.
Global Water Futures - A report published in 2005 by The Center for Strategic and International Studies and Sandia National Labs on the current state of water around the global, with recommendations on what the U.S. can do to help solve the problem. The report is the output of the CSIS-SNL Global Water Futures Conference 2005.
Lifewater International - Lifewater International equips partner organizations and works with them to empower communities in developing countries to gain safe water, adequate sanitation, and effective hygiene.
Residential
Water Conservation
- A site dedicated to water conservation. It has a section of
the site with helpful information on conversing water with topics
like: Why Should we Conserve? Conserving Water at Home. Water
Tips and Tools. There is a very small overview of
Rainwater Harvesting in the Tips and Tools section.
United
Nations Report on Water
- If you wonder why you are thinking about a rainwater catchment
system and need a little inspiration, read this report on the
world's water condition and it should
get you moving. This site has a very wide variety of water
related articles.
Water
- Use it Wisely
- A site that includes a water audit tool to help you determine
how much water you really use.
Before You Harvest - Conserve - An article listing nearly a 100 ways to save water, both inside and outside the house.
Water Conservation and Reuse - Non-Profit Organizations
EPA WaterSense Program - The Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary program promoting water efficient appliances.
Global Water Partnership - The Global Water Partnership is a working partnership among all those involved in water management: government agencies, public institutions, private companies, professional organizations, multilateral development agencies and others committed to the principles initiated at the Dublin Conference on Water and the Environment in 1992.
Natural Resources Defense Council - One of the most effective environmental organization in the U.S. working to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, including clean water.
Save the Rain - A 501 (c) (3) non profit organization that teaches people water starved areas to catch, store, clean and use the Rain as a sustainable water supply.
The Ocean Conservancy - Advocates for wild, and healthy oceans. The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup is the largest and most successful volunteer event of its kind.
WaterAid - An international charity dedicated to helping people escape
the stranglehold of poverty and disease caused by living without safe
water and sanitation.
WaterKeeper Alliance - A non-profit organization whose mission is that of a citizen watchdog for water resources. A WaterKeeper is a local full-time paid advocate responsible for keeping local waterways clean. The national organization provides a national and international voice for education, litigation and research, analysis and review of water-related issues.
WaterReuse - A non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination.
World Water Center - A non-profit organization whose function is to act as a clearinghouse for information related to water projects and activities on a worldwide basis and to provide a best practices rating system.
Drinking Water Book - A valuable guide that you will likely refer to again and again.
Environmental Working Group - EWG's water filter buying guide is a online tool to assist you in buying the right filter type for specific water problems.
Enviromental Protection Agency - Drinking water quality standards, listing the maximum amount allowed in drinking water by the EPA.
