Successful rwh in fl 050112

SUCCESSFUL RAINWATER
HARVESTING SYSTEMS
Lessons Learned Capturing Water in Florida

BRIAN GREGSON
Rainwater Catchment Systems
Accredited Professional

Florida Water Resources Conference
Orlando, FL
May 1st, 2012

Outline
 INTRODUCTION
 OVERVIEW
 Why harvest rainwater?
 ANATOMY
 COST - Brief
 REGULATORY CONSIDERATIONS
 AKA, “RED TAPE”
 REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL RWH
 DOs & DON’Ts
 Lessons Learned
 NOT DISCUSSED
 Sizing/Design

www.rainwaterservices.com

Who we are

 Irrigation Contractor: PCCLB 10280
 Like to play in dirt
 Specializing in highly efficient water-
conservation solutions
 Drip/micro irrigation, landscape drainage
 RAINWATER HARVESTING
 FIRSTS:
 ARCSA AP in State of FL
 Permitted RHS in St. Pete
 Potable RHS in St. Pete
 Potable RHS in Tampa
 Permitted greywater(??) in Tampa
 LEARNED FROM TRIAL & ERROR…


What is rainwater harvesting?

 Collecting rainwater
 Storing rainwater
 Using rainwater
 Stormwater management


Why harvest rainwater?
 Preserve potable water for
drinking and indoor uses
 Stormwater management
 L.I.D.
 Contribute to responsible
growth
 Larger volume = greater
$AVINGS & SAVINGS


ANATOMY OF A RAINWATER
HARVESTING SYSTEM

RWH System Anatomy

Rain
The ON button!
Catchment Area Conveyance
(roof) (gutters/downspouts)

Pretreatment
(screen filters, first-flush)

Storage Treatment &
(cistern)
Distribution
Source: Harvesting Water for Landscape Use by Patricia H.
Waterfall, p. 34 Original diagram was modified for this application.


Catchment
 Roof acts as the catchment
area
 Size
 Determines harvesting
potential
 Surface material
Courtesy: ARCSA

 Determines quality
 The slicker, the better
 For potable, metal is
preferred

Conveyance & Pretreatment
 Water quality is determined
by what is conveyed into
the storage tank(s)
 Roof surface debris
 Twigs and leaves
 Dust
 Bird droppings
 Other debris


Conveyance & Pre-treatment
 Leaf Guards
 First line of defense
 Screened rain heads
 Finer, pre-tank protection

http://9p-enterprises.com/LSpics.aspx


First Flush Devices

 Downspout (wall-
mounted)
 Underground

http://www.rainharvesting.com/


Cistern Anatomy
Lid or manway
Secured tightly to avoid entrance
by children and animals. Vent
Use fine mesh screen to
keep mosquitoes out

Inlet Overflow
Max Water Level Use flap valve or other
From downspouts
methods to keep insects
and animals out
Turbulence calming Storage
device (optional) (cistern) Floating
To prevent remixing of Suction Filter
sediment
Outlet
Tank Pad To distribution
Anaerobic / Sediment
Drain
pacia
Source: Rainwater Harvesting Planning and Installation Manual, January
2009, Figure 12.5. Original diagram was modified for this application.


Distribution
 Select appropriate
pump/pressure tank for water
demand
 Connect to disinfected indoor
supply and/or irrigation system
 Makeup water supply (if
available) for low-water and/or
poor water quality conditions
 Backflow prevention!!!
 Backflow prevention!!!

Distribution:
COMPONENTS
 Pump
 Make-up valve
 Backflow prevention
 Controls


Treatment
 Water quality must meet appropriate
standards for intended application
 Example: Indoor potable = NSF 53 (cysts) +
NSF 55A (UV) = VERY COMPLEX
 Example: Indoor non-potable (toilets) =
greywater dye injection = VERY COMPLEX
 IRRIGATION= MINIMAL TREATMENT
 Particulate/sediment removal
 Similar to well-water supplies
 Subject to local regulations

AFTER TREATMENT, WATER QUALITY IS
SUFFICIENT FOR INTENDED
APPLICATION(S)!


Treatment: POTABLE
 Treatment processes
 Sediment/filtration
 2 or more stage + carbon
 NSF 53 = cyst removal
 Disinfection
 NSF 55A = UV treatment of
surface water
 Other disinfection options:
 Chlorine, Ozone, RO, etc…

All Rainwater Services
potable systems meet
NSF 53 and 55A

Disinfection & Treatment:
EXAMPLE


Maintenance Responsibilities
 Check for debris in tank
 Tank should be cleaned out about
once a year
 Inspect gutters and downspouts
regularly
 Remove debris
 First flush bypass
 Check drain holes are clear for
proper function
 Inspect downspout seals and
entrances
 Check for leaks
 Service pumps and filters as
needed
 Similar maintenance to well
systems or pools

Initial Investment Issues
Rule of Thumb

Cistern to Installation Cost Ratio

60:40
WERF User’s Guide to the BMP and LID Whole Life Cost Models, 2009


Initial Investment Issues


Regulatory Consideration
 Engineering, engineering, engineering
 Building codes
 Graywater (for non-potable)
 Plumbing
 Electrical
 Health Departments
 Local
 State
 EPA: Guidelines for surface water treatment


Requirements for Successful
RWH Systems
 Proper design
 Engineering
 Controls
 Distribution
 Drainage
 Solid partnerships
 Officials
 Builders
 Owners
 Knowledge
 Budget


DOs & DON’Ts

or, “Lessons Learned”

Residential Home,
St. Petersburg, FL
CISTERN
INFO
Size: 1,000 gallons
Water Source: Rainwater
Use: Irrigation

FIRST SYSTEM PERMITTED AND
APPROVED IN ST. PETE!

LESSONS LEARNED:
•Design
•Proper sizing
•Debris screening
•Conveyance


LEED Elementary School
Remodel, St. Petersburg, FL
Project Owner: Jordan Park Elementary
Project Type: Institutional

CISTERN INFO
Size: 2x 2,500 gallons
Use: Toilet Flushing

LESSONS LEARNED:
•Play nice with others!
•Engineers. Collaborators, Building officials
•Toilet-flushing (non-potable) code complexities!
•Build according to plan


Residential – Potable (Laundry)
St. Petersburg, FL
Project Owner: Private
Project Type: Potable indoor use

CISTERN INFO
Size: 2x 550 gallons
Use: Toilets/Laundry
ST. PETE’S FIRST POTABLE SYSTEM

LESSONS LEARNED:
•Education!
•Backflow concerns
•Building code complexities


Luxury Waterfront –
Toilets/Irrigation; St. Petersburg,FL
Project Type: Non-Potable toilets

CISTERN INFO
Use: Toilets/Irrigation

LESSONS LEARNED:
•Drainage!
•Don’t rely on others
•Complex controls


Luxury “Off-the-Grid – All water
usage; Tampa, FL
Project Type: Whole House Potable + Greywater

CISTERN INFO
Use: All applications + greywater tank for
toilets
RAINWATER SERVICES MOSTINNOVATIVE - HYBRID

LESSONS LEARNED:
•Utilization of unique architectural space
•Controls (a common theme)
•Greywater codes
•Importance of first-flush

Apartment Complex – Irrigation;
Orlando, FL
Project Type: Multifamily Irrigation

CISTERN INFO
Size: 1x 1300 gallons, underground
Use: Irrigation + City Backup

LESSONS LEARNED:
•How to work in scorching Florida heat!
•Understand geology
•Underground = unknown!!


Waterfront - Potable;
Pinellas County, FL
Project Type: Whole House Potable

CISTERN INFO
Use: All applications

JOB SITE ACCESSIBILITY!!!!
LESSONS LEARNED:
•Wear swimsuit to all jobsites!
•Streamline controls
•Permits aren’t always enough


Needs for further success
 Incentives!
 Rebates
 Watering restriction variances/exemptions
 Higher water rates?? (hold your tomatoes, please!)
 Better building codes
 More uniformity
 Better definitions
 Clarifications
 Education
 Officials
 Construction pros (builders, architects, plumbers, irrigation
contractors, etc…)
 Homeowners


Many thanks…


Questions?
BRIAN GREGSON
brian@rainwaterservices.com

@RainwaterServices

@RWServices

http://www.slideshare.net/RWServices

Successful rwh in fl 050112

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (9)

En vedette

En vedette (8)

Similaire à Successful rwh in fl 050112

Similaire à Successful rwh in fl 050112 (20)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

Successful rwh in fl 050112