Rain Harvesting Works In North Carolina

Online, November 8, 2010 (Newswire.com) - It's hard to forget the drought of 2007-2008; Lake and reservoir levels plummeted, water use restrictions clamped down on waste, and tensions rose as communities were competing for water sources. Did we learn anything?

Experts say droughts will become more frequent and last longer as the climate warms. Storms are also predicted to produce more flooding. Regardless of why the earth's temperature is rising, there's no doubt, it is. As a result rainfall will have less chance to recharge groundwater supplies and produce more erosion and pollution in our surface waters. Rising sea levels will attack our aquifers and leave coastal community wells threatened by salt water intrusion.

Projections estimate NC population will grow 52% (about 5 million) by 2030. At the time of this release NC has no plan in place to provide adequate fresh water to support this expansion. If we continue on the current path, we may not be able to provide for the number of residents we have now.

So how do we reduce demand, ease storm water run-off and help recharge our groundwater?

Rainwater Harvesting.
By capturing rainwater from roofs and other surfaces and storing it in tanks for future use we begin to answer how we will support growth. RWH can replace municipal and well water for any use. Reducing the demand on our municipal systems will lower energy needs and treatment costs freeing up financial resources. Water suppliers could then focus on repairing the leaking infrastructure where billions of gallons of treated water are lost each year. An added bonus is the reduction of tons of co2 emissions from water treatment facilities.

With the rising cost of municipal water service some people have turned to drilling wells. Many of which find high metal content or depressed groundwater levels during peak times. Imagine a glass of water with a straw. Then imagine the same glass with a straw for every house on your block. You can see the water won't last very long with the increased demand. This is what is happening with our aquifers.

Rainfall is naturally absorbed into the ground through our wetlands to recharge aquifers. Increased building in these areas now diverts the rainfall to storm drains and waterways carrying with it contaminants like motor oil, pet feces and fertilizers. The increased flow in streams and rivers causes erosion and silt build up destroying eco systems. RWH in conjunction with rain gardens or infiltration fields discharge overflow directly into the ground. This allows the water to soak through the soil slowly and recharge the aquifers. This approach works best in sandy, fast draining soils. Studies show aquifers actually rising in communities that harvest rainwater.

Rainwater harvesting captures about 1,000 gallons of water from the roof of an average 3 bedroom home with just 1 inch of rainfall. By removing this water from the storm water run-off the negative affects of erosion and pollution are reduced. If 50 or 100 homes implement RWH a community could eliminate millions of gallons of run-off annually. Commercial and Industrial sites with larger catchment areas could have a huge impact on storm water run-off. If these industries have high water demands, serious savings can be achieved and demand on public supplies drastically reduced.

Cities, towns and counties are not immune. Why do we spend our tax dollars to treat water to a potable standard to fill a street sweeper, fire truck, wash a bus or irrigate the landscape at government buildings? For that matter why do we treat water just to flush it down the toilet?

Not only can Rainwater fill all these needs, it can also provide jobs we need so badly. RWH is a multi-billion dollar Industry. North Carolina would do well to attract the manufacturing, retail and skilled trade jobs associated with these products and services. RWH service providers in NC currently ship many products from the west coast or the southern U.S. As a result, the cost of a basic residential RWH system averaged $5,000 according to Brendan Barry, General Manager for Cape Fear Rainwater Harvesting, Inc in Wilmington, NC. Recently EnviCor Incorporated began manufacturing the WaterWall tm rain harvesting line of products in Smithfield, NC. Barry says this reduced the price by $1,500 and increases LEED points for NC projects because they can use locally manufactured products. Another product, The SuperTanktm, will be manufactured here as well. This system is made from recycled materials and will drastically reduce the cost of systems over 8,000 gallons. As RWH gains popularity the price will most likely be reduced further encouraging involvement and creating jobs.

To help this technology spread, a group of RWH service providers across North Carolina from Wilmington to Asheville are lobbying the NC State Legislature to pass a tax credit for those who install a Rain Harvesting system. Expectations are, some action will be taken when the 2011 session begins in January. The NC Building Code Council is also considering expanding RWH requirements to include whole house uses.

Rainwater has many positive impacts on the environment. But there are other practical benefits including saving on water and sewer bills. Then there is longer life of fabrics washed with rainwater and less corrosion of washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and industrial equipment. And ladies... your hair will be soooo soft.

Landscapes are healthier and more vibrant without the chlorine in treated water. Municipal water actually kills vital bacteria in lawns and gardens. This creates the need for fertilizer which runs off in a rain event and is one of the biggest pollutants in our waterways. With rainwater lawns are greener, flowers are brighter and produce is healthier.
We are fortunate to have 40 - 50 inches of rain throughout North Carolina. But will that be enough? Will population expand more rapidly than predicted as the West and Southwest US continue to dry up? The average home owner can expect to collect 40-50 thousand gallons, or more, of water annually to subsidize their needs. Manufacturing, industrial, and government facilities can greatly reduce consumption and demand. Recognizing the impact Rainwater Harvesting will have on our water needs and environment, it makes no sense to continue our current wasteful practices.

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For more information visit myraintank.com

"Water, water everywhere, nor any drop to drink".
Samuel Taylor Coleridge