Catch the Rainwith Jeremiah Kidd

San Isidro Permaculture

In an animal or plant, 99 molecules in 100 are water…An organism is a pool in a stream of water along which metabolites and energy

moves through ecosystems.W.V. Macfarlane

Why catch rainwater? Primary Source Naturally distilled Saves energy and

chemicals Recharge aquifer Reduce erosion and

runoff Water security

Human Impacts Institute. 2012

Why catch rainwater Store for dry season Multiple Uses Self Reliance Plants benefit Contains N and P Remote areas Free Conserves aquifers

Benefits to the Environment

EPA ranks urban runoff and storm sewer discharge as second main source of water quality impairment in estuaries and fourth in our lakes

James, William “Green roads: Research into Permeable Pavers” 2002

“…have shown that up to 70% of the pollution in our streams, rivers, and lakes is carried there by stormwater,”

(Raingardens.org)

Benefits to the Environment

“contributes to a yearly loss of rainwater infiltration ranging from 57 to 133 billion gallons. If managed on site, this rainwater—which could support annual household needs of 1.5 to 3.6 million people—would filter through the soil to recharge aquifers and increase underground flows to replenish rivers, streams, and lakes,”

Paving our Way to Water Shortages (American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council 2002.

Misconceptions No recharge Too little Mosquitoes Deprives lakes Eyesore Too complicated/

expensive Must use tanks

Bill Abell 2009

Physical Properties of Rain Water

Water seeks the lowest point and path of least resistance

Conserve energy by storing at highest point possible for pressure, .43 psi per 1’ elevation,

1 psi=2.31 feet of elevation One gallon of water weighs 8.3 lbs, 3.8 kg One liter of water weighs 2.2 lbs, 1 kg There is 7.48 gallons per cubic foot of water There is 1,000 liters per cubic meter of water Lower pH than groundwater in the arid areas

Qualities of Rain Water Precipitation is the primary source of fresh water within

our planet’s hydrological cycle. Precipitation is naturally distilled through evaporation

prior to cloud formation, and thus is one of our purest sources of water.

Rain is considered soft due to the lack for calcium carbonate or magnesium in solution and is excellent for cooking, washing and saving energy.

Rainwater is a natural fertilizer – picks up N & P Rainwater has the lowest salt content of natural fresh

water sources so it is a superior water source for plants.

Water Harvesting Principals

Begin with long and thoughtful observations.

Start at the top (highpoint) of your watershed and work your way down.

Start small and simple. Slow, spread, and infiltrate the flow of

water.

Brad Lancaster: www.harvestingrainwater.com

Water Harvesting Principals

Always plan an overflow route, and manage that overflow as a resource.

Maximize living and organic groundcover. Maximize beneficial relationships and

efficiency by “stacking functions”. Continually reassess your system: the

feedback loop.

Brad Lancaster: www.harvestingrainwater.com

Design starts with observation

What is the rainfall patterns: wet, dry seasons

How much average rainfall in your area? Where are there catchment surfaces? What is the elevations of the catchment

surfaces in relation to point of use? What is the vegetation growing above

and below catchment surfaces? Taste and smell experience difference

from city or well supply

Planning a water harvesting system

1. What will the water be used for?

2. How much rain falls in a year?

3. How much water is consumed?

4. The area of roof or other catchment available?

5. What size storage can be built?

6. Where to place the storage relative to the catchment and point of use.

7. Budget/resources available

Parts of a system

Collection Surface – Roofs, Patios, etc Conveyance – Gutters, Downspouts, Piping Filtration – Screens, First Flush Storage Containers – Tanks, Ponds, Soil Other Parts – Pumps, Pressure Tanks Overflow – Rain Garden, Swales, Pond Water Usage – Domestic, Toilet, Irrigation

Collection surfaces

Preferable Surfaces Acceptable roofing materials are slate, terra-cotta

tile, copper, untreated wood shingles, concrete, and metal painted with an epoxy paint.

Unacceptable materials are asphalt shingles, older concrete tiles (which can contain asbestos), tar, or treated wood shingles.

Asphalt shingles are by far the most common roofing material. Unfortunately, they leach toxins into the water that runs off them.

If you have asphalt shingles, think of other options or apply acceptable surfaces on some or your home.

Roof Catchment

Shingle Conversion

Conveyance Gutters, Downspouts, Piping

Roof to Tank

Catch Boxes

First Flush ExamplesCourtesy of HarvestH2O.com

First Flush Sizing 1-2 gallons per 100 sq.

ft. of roof area. 5-10 gal per 1000 sq. ft. A 1’ length of 3 inch

pipe holds approximately 0.74 gallons

A 1’ length of 4 inch pipe holds approximately 1.30 gallons

Pre Tank Filtering

Storage Containers – Tanks

Water Wall Tank

Above Ground Tank

Partially Buried Poly Tank

SIP 2011

Buried PE Tank

SIP 2011

Linking Cisterns in Parallel

PE Tank in Parallel

SIP 2011

Access Risers & Venting

Ferro-Cement Tanks

Ferro-Cement Tank Uganda

Finished 79,800 liter Tank!

Post Installation Inspection

Tank Parts

Monthly PrecipitationCharleston, West Virginia

Jan3.00”

Feb3.31”

Mar3.91”

Apr3.24”

May4.80”

Jun4.29”

Jul4.94”

Aug3.74”

Sept3.25”

Oct2.67”

Nov3.73”

Dec3.27”

Total: 44.15”

The driest month is October with 2.67” of precipitation, and with 4.94” July is the wettest month.

Calculating CatchmentCharleston, West Virginia

Average Annual Rainfall ~ 44.15”Method 1:

1000 sq. foot house X44.15” rainfall (average annual rainfall) /

12 (12 inches per cubic foot) = 3,679 cubic feet of water

3,679 (cubic feet) X 7.48 (7.48 gallons per cubic foot of water) =

27,519 gallons per year

Calculating CatchmentCharleston, West Virginia

Total Annual Rainfall ~ 44.15”Method 2:

Catchment Area (square feet) X Average Rainfall (ft) X

7.48 (gallons per cubic foot) = Total Rainwater (gallons)

1,000 square feet X3.679’ (44.15” / 12) X

7.48 (gallons per cubic foot) = 27,518.92 gallons per year

CATCHMENT AREA in square feet

28’x33’=924 f2X

RAINFALL 44.15” /

feet = 3.8 f3 X

7.48 = 26,264Gallons per year

Calculating StorageCharleston, West Virginia

October 2.67” Average Rain Fall – Average Low.

1000 sq. foot house X2.67” rainfall (average monthly rainfall) /

12 (12 inches per cubic foot) = 222.5 cubic feet of water

250 (cubic feet) X 7.48 (7.48 gallons per cubic foot of water) =

1,664.3 gallons in January

1,664.3 / 4 = 416 gallons per family member (family of 4)

416 / 30 (average days per month) = 13.9 gallons per day each

Calculating StorageCharleston, West Virginia

July 4.95” Average Rain Fall – Average High.1000 sq. foot house X

4.94” rainfall (average monthly rainfall) / 12 (12 inches per cubic foot) =

411.7 cubic feet of water

411.7 (cubic feet) X 7.48 (7.48 gallons per cubic foot of water) =

3,079.5 gallons in January

3,079.5 / 4 = 769.9 gallons per family member (family of 4)

769.9 / 30 (average days per month) = 25.7 gallons per day each

Calculating StorageCharleston, West VirginiaAverage Water Use in the USA

Bath – A full tub is 36 gallonsShower – New heads 2 gallons per minute / 5 gallons with

the oldBrushing Teeth - < 1 gallon

Washing Hands & Face – 1 gallonFace & Leg Shaving – 1 gallon

Dishwasher – 4 – 10 gallons per loadDishwashing by Hand – 20 gallons

Clothes Washing – 25 gallons per loadToilet Flushing – 1.6 – 3 gallons per flushDrinking Water – 8 – 24 8oz cups per day

(1/8 – 3/8 gallon per day)

*A Santa Fe Family Uses 23 gallons Per Person Per Day For the Household

Calculating StorageCharleston, West Virginia

Potable water at 2 gallons per day for family of 4 is 240 gallons per month – a 500 gallon

tank sufficient

For whole house would suggest at least 2,ooo gallons – 67 gallon per day

Pumps: Choose the right one for the job

Pump Characteristics

Water pumps are designed to push water not pull Whenever possible locate pumps so water flows into

the pump by gravity - Foot Valve Suction Head is the pressure required to pull water into

the pump housing, most pump not more than 10 feet Match needed flow rate with pump output GPM Sprinklers or flood irrigation uses much more GPM than

Drip Irrigation Prescreen to 1/8” for inlet of pump

Pressure Tank or On Demand Pump

Pressure tank keeps extra water available so small demands do not trigger pump start Prolongs the life of a pump by reducing on/off Provides water that is under pressureOn Demand Pumps-cycles on/off as demand requires- Does not require a pressure tank- May have built in dry protection- Usually has shorter life

Floats for On, Off & Auto Filling Pressure Switches Irrigation Computer Smart Controllers

Pump Controls

Materials - Vinyl, Aluminum, Steel, Stainless, Copper

Slope – 1/16” per 1’ to 1/16” per 10’ Tilt Out – ½” to prevent water seeping into

walls Expansion Joints for runs over 40’ Sufficient Support Downspouts – 1 per 1,000 sq ft surface 1 sq inch of outlet per 100 sq ft surface Screen to reduce debris entering conveyance Prune Branches Snow Cleats – reduce damage, increase

catchment

Gutters

Catch Boxes Drain Grates Patio Drains

On Ground Catchment

Preventative Care & Health Risk Realities

Keep vegetation and animal nests away from the catchment surface - First Flush Diverters

Leaf Screens – make them accessible Good Things – Water improves with age –

Biofilm Many people around the world live on rainwater.

Dilution reduces load on immune system Simple & Economical Filters Available

Sanitation

Be cautious but not paranoid, filter for needs Don’t clean your tanks unless emergency-Biofilm Pollutants that can be found in rainwater:

Microbiological: Parasites, Bacteria, Fungi, Organic - Bird Droppings, Insects – UV Sterilization

Chemical Contaminants: Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) – Solvents – Carbon Filter

Synthetic Organic Chemicals: Usually only around heavy industrial areas – Carbon Filter

Minerals/Metals: Copper, Lead from roofs or gutters -

Sanitation: Microbes Viruses: smallest 20 to ~100 nanometers in size. Most difficult

to remove Bacteria: larger (0.5 to 3 micrometers) also can not be

removed by plain sedimentation or settling Protozoan: next largest (3 to 30 micrometers) largest ones

likely to gravity settle at appreciable rates. Can filter out some waterborne pathogens are often associated with larger

particles or they are aggregated (clumped). Aggregated or particle-associated microbes are easier to remove by physical processes

Coagulation-flocculation

WHO 2012

Treatment of Stored Rainwater

If going to do it, do it right Chlorination Filters Boiling Sunlight Additional Treatments

Chlorination

Effective, but conduct with care

Shock with 1 Tablespoon (.5 ounce or 14g) swimming pool calcium hypochlorite (60-70%) per 530 gallons (2000 liters)

Stir and let stand 24 hrs for chlorine to dissipate

Maintain with 1/7th of the above amount - stir in and let stand 2 hrs

Mix chlorine into water NOT water into chlorine webelements

Sediment/Screen 80-100 micron

Carbon – Best for VOC’sWhole house 10 micron can be found for $200

Ceramic – for smaller particles – viruses

Reverse Osmosis (RO)Finest yet wastes 1-5 x filtered

Filters

“Biofilm” provides the effective purification in potable water treatment with 90-99% bacterial reduction

Courtesy of Clean Water for Haiti & National Drinking Water Clearing House

Sand Filter

Filtration - Ceramic

Katadyn Ceramic Filtration System$295.00 - $318.00 www.katadyn.com

The Gravidyn is a microporous ceramic filter element with an inner core filledwith activated carbon granulate.

99.9999 % removal of harmful Bacteria and Parasites 99.99 % removal of Cryptosporidium and Giardia

General: Removal of organics (this will include: organic contaminants,pesticides, micropollutants, humic acids, detergents) and free chlorine

Sanitation

Berkey Filtration System$228.00 - $625.00 www.berkeyfilters.com

Viruses:  99.999% reduction MS2 - Fr Coliphage*Exceeds purification standards Pathogenic Bacteria, Parasites, and Cysts100% reductionE. coli, Klebsiella terrigena, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Giardia, Cryptosporidium*Exceeds purification standards Trihalomethanes:   Removed to below detectable limits - 99.99999% reduction Bromodichloromethane, Bromofore, Chloroform, Dibromochloromethane

Sanitation

Katadyn Hiking Carbon System$50.00 - $150.00

Boiling

2-3 minutes A lot of fuel Take a while to cool Not always feasible Solar Cookers

Dr. Kundapur

Low-Tec Sedimentation

Simple and low cost: storage vessels - pots, buckets

Clays and smaller microbes do not settle Do not disturb sediment particles at bottom Unreliable to reduce pathogens Remove solids and clean regardless of

storage vessel type Good pre-treatment to remove turbidity

before UV or chemical disinfection

S.O.D.I.S. Solar Disinfection 6 hrs full sun – UV

starilization

SequenceCombining Filtration and

Purification Strategies for Potable Water

SequenceCombining Filtration and

Purification Strategies for Potable Water

Corrosion Control pH Rainwater naturally

Acidic: 4.5-6.3 – usually not a problem

Affects Copper – raise with Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) periodically to pH of 7.4

In-line Filters Available – Calcium carbonate (limestone) pellets, Sodium oxide (lime) pellets – these must be downstream of UV units

Water Quality Enhancers

Calmed Inlets – Minimize the disturbance of sediment on bottom of tank and Biofilm

Floating Valve Out-take – Remove water from the “sweet spot” when possible

Jeremiah Kidd San Isidro Permaculture

jeremiah@sipermaculture.comwww.sipermaculture.com

+1 (505) 983-3841

Thank You!

Thanks to

Aaron Kauffman Brad Lancaster Chelsea Green Publishers John Gould & Erik Nissen - Peterson

Resources Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands www.HarvestingRainwater.com Virginia Rainwater Catchment Manual

http://www.cabellbrandcenter.org/Downloads/RWH_Manual2009.pdf Simple explanation and diagram

http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/free-your-water-fundamentals-of-a-rainwater-harvesting-system/

Supplier in Salem, Virginia http://rainwatermanagement.com Supplier in Maryland offers all parts needed for a system http://

www.conservationtechnology.com Supplier in Georgia http://www.rainharvest.com Contech Engineered Solutions 700 Tech Dr, Winchester, KY

www.conteches.com First Flush Design

http://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/waterwise/first_flush_diverters.pdf