Busting the Myth
Many organizations and municipalities are promoting rain barrels. While rain barrels are a form of rainwater harvesting, they only hold a small amount of water. Properly designed rain barrels offer a great water resource for patios and small gardens and supply the water needed. Rain barrels when not designed properly, do to to there lack of opaqueness and design that allows organic matter to collect in the tank, the water usually becomes an algae bloom. Undersized pipes do not allow water overflow to be adequately released and properly directed causing a mess and erosion. In water bodies used for water supply, algal blooms can cause taste and odor problems in waters used for drinking. Blooms involving toxin-producing species can pose serious threats to animals and humans. Read more about Algae at the Water Encyclopedia. Why store dirty water that can be used for cleaning and watering. Why use bleach to kill the algae and water plants. Rain water can produce 20-30% more plant growth then chlorine or bleached water.
Many of the people I have approached in my business use hundreds to tens of thousand of gallons per month for irrigation and outdoor water use. Most think rain barrels are the answer. Most rain barrels only hold about 40-45 gallons of water per container and to store 500 gallons would take ten or more barrels. What happens when there is no rain for weeks? Home owners spend tens of thousands of dollars or more over time on landscaping and water features for their yard. They need to learn to pay for the infrastructure to support and insure their investment.
By designing systems properly in both size and components an adequate clean supply of water can be captured for use. Rainwater harvesting stores and supplies water for when it is needed during dry weather and droughts. If stored in potable tanks rainwater can be a source of emergency water. Why store smelly, oxygen deprived, toxin filled water to water plants, wash cars and clean things outside. By investing the proper time and money in rainwater harvesting, true appreciation of water and what it takes to provide a clean source can be obtained. A properly designed system will last for decades and is easy to maintain.
These three tanks are the first properly designed rainwater harvesting systems being used in Atlanta City Parks. They were sponsored by Park Pride for their community garden program. Each tank stores 500 gallons of water and contains a roof washer, first flush diverter and calming inlet. Currently they deliver water through gravity. The screens surrounding 2 of the tanks will be planted with vines to add an aesthetic covering. So far the water has stayed clear and clean even with temperatures in the 90 for weeks.
Click on the links below to find the locations of the tank. If anyone would like visit any of these sites, please feel free to contact me for more information or to set up a meeting. Washington Park is the best example and has the easiest access.
Washington Park _________________Grove Park________________________Lang Carson Park
Features:
Features include roof washer to screen debris and mosquitos, a first flush diverter to clean the dirty water that washes from the roof containing pollen and dust, a calming inlet to prevent the incoming water from disturbing any residue on the bottom and a pee trap to keep mosquitos from escaping.
Screens to grow vines on the tank as an aesthetic feature.
Raintube gutter guards and overflow water diffuser.
Each tank holds 500 gallons and is made from potable food grade plastics. A good source for emergency water.