texas; urban rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation - austin energy
DESCRIPTION
Texas; Urban Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape Irrigation - Austin EnergyTRANSCRIPT
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Urban Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape
Irrigation Dick Peterson
Environmental Program
Coordinator
Austin Energy Green Building
www.austinenergy.com/go/greenbuilding
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Rainwater Through The AgesRainwater harvesting practiced for over 4,000 years in desert of southern IsraelAncient Roman had cisterns and aqueductsEarly 1900’s farms and ranches had cisterns
Current resurgence of rainwater collection Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Currently72,000 gallon capacityhave plans foranother 25,000 gallons
Many Caribbeannations mandaterainwater harvesting
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Why Collect Rainwater?
Rainwater pH is almost neutralPlants love itRainwater does not have dissolved minerals from the soilOr chemicals from water treatment plantsHarvesting reduces erosionReduces water bill – you do not use as much expensive potable water on your landscape
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In Texas, rainwater harvesting systems are sales tax exemptTax Code Section 151.355(1) provides an exemption for the recycling system if purchased on or after September 1, 2001.
Sec. 151.355. WATER-RELATED EXEMPTIONS. The following are exempted from taxes imposed by this chapter: (1) rainwater harvesting equipment or supplies, water recycling and reuse equipment or supplies, or other equipment, services, or supplies used to reduce or eliminate water use….
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First Flush “Poor Man’s Roof Washer”
Components
PVC pipe with fittings running to the ground with a screw on cap at the bottom for clean out
First 8-10 gallons collects debris from roof and gutters --diverted by first flush before tank inlet
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First Flush “Poor Man’s Roof Washer”
Components
PVC pipe with fittings running to the ground with a screw on cap at the bottom for clean out
First 8-10 gallons collects debris from roof and gutters --diverted by first flush before tank inlet
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First Flush “Poor Man’s Roof Washer”
Components
PVC pipe with fittings running to the ground with a screw on cap at the bottom for clean out
First 8-10 gallons collects debris from roof and gutters --diverted by first flush before tank inlet
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First Flush Filter & Inlet Piping
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ComponentsPVC Drain-Waste-Vent Fittings
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Recycled drums can be easily converted into rainbarrels
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Sunshine Community Gardens Rainbarrel Clinic
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Salvaged drums can be left as is or painted to better blend with the
landscape
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Horizontal, vertical and with an ornamental, decorative rain chain
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Recycled drums come in various shapes, sizes and materials
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City of Austin Water Conservation Program
www.cityofaustin.org/waterco n
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Tanks are available in many sizes and configurations
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Simple System Options
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Simple System Diagram
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How about a pond tank?
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Drinking Water Systems
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Drinking water systems require more equipment and maintenance
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Drinking water systems require more equipment and maintenance
From “Rainwater-Collection Systems” by Peter Pfeiffer
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
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Drinking water systems require more equipment and maintenance
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Good source of tanks are “feed and ranch” stores
5,000
2,500 3,000
305 300 550
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To reduce algae, tanks should be black, green, covered, or painted
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Tall configuration 500 gallon tank
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Low configuration of a 500 gallon tank
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Sometimes a “rain barn” is built to provide more roof area
2,500 Gallon Tank
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Tank inlet must be lowest point in the collection piping
2,500 gallon system on a high school portable classroom
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Zilker Botanical Garden Master Gardener Greenhouse
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American Botanical Council has 2-850 gallon collection tanks
8 years old
Liner System helps avoid rust
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American Botanical Council 10,000 gallon fiberglass storage tank
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American Botanical Council 10,000 gallon fiberglass storage tank
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American Botanical Council
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American Botanical Council
Coriolis Effect
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Location and access may dictate size of tanks
Two 1100 gallon tanks cost more than one 2500, but allow access to garage
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A 10’ x 10’ garden shed can collect 60 gallons in just a 1” rain
750 gallon fiberglass tank
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Austin’s first “modern” harvester
Hugh M. “Bud” Kane
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H. E. B. Grocery Store in Austin
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46,000 gallon Ferro-cement tank
Sunset Canyon Pottery Studio
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77,000 gallon Ferro-cement tank
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Typical Underground Cistern
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37,500 gallon Ferro-cement tank
From “Rainwater-Collection Systems” by Peter Pfeiffer
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
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Wooden Tanks
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500 gallon “TimberTank”
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How much will rainwater harvesting cost?
It really does vary...Do you already have gutters?If not, what type will you install?Type and size of tankWill you use a pump?Pad construction
This is NOT how to do it!
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ComponentsRoof Type
Any roof will doMetal is the ideal roof - smooth and non-absorbentComposite, wood shingles, asphalt…all absorb water and will break down over time
Gutters30 cents per foot for plastic up to $15 per foot for copper
ScreensScreens are not necessary unless your house has a lot of tree cover
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ComponentsRoof Washer
From “Rainwater-Collection Systems” by Peter Pfeiffer
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
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ComponentsRoof Washer
$300-600 container with 30 micron filter water must pass through filter before filling tankIf not cleaned regularly
breeding ground for bacteriawill keep water from entering tank
not necessary for non-potable systems
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ComponentsBarrels
Purchased or recycled barrelShould be painted to keep out sunlight and prevent algae growth
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ComponentsPolypropylene Tanks
$.35 to $1.00 per gallonMost commonEasy to installShould be black, green or painted
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ComponentsConcrete or Ferro-cement tanks
$.35 to $1.00 per gallonDurableCan be buried
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ComponentsMetal Tanks
40-60 cents per gallonShort life span – rust, except with special liners
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ComponentsWooden Tanks
$2.00+ per gallonIdeal for remote locations, pack in the
piecesCan be dissembled and movedAvailable up to 2,000,000 gallons!
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Components
Stone TanksVery expensiveDifficult to maintain
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ComponentsPumps
$200-600install pump as close to tank as possibleprotect from freezingin-tank float switchin general 3/4 quarter horsepower is sufficient It will allow you to pump water 400 feet
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Maintenance With a first flush system you will want to clean out the PVC after every rainfallIf you have screens, clean them after a rain when there has not been any rainfall for a period of timeMost people who have installed their systems over the past 5 years, have not had to clean the tank of debris
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Bt-Biological Mosquito Control
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Whisky is for drinkin'… Water is for fightin’ over!
Water is a precious resource…
Use it wisely…
Harvest rainwater!
Mark Twain
Austin History Center, St. Edward’s cadet straddling Lake Austin
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Urban Rainwater Harvesting for Landscape
Irrigation Dick Peterson
Environmental Program
Coordinator
Austin Energy Green Building
www.austinenergy.com/go/greenbuilding