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Reduce consumption of public, potable water from municipal treatment systems and abate the revised District stormwater runoff fee with rain barrels, or rainwater cisterns. Installed on individual property sites, this rainwater collection system can be utilized to supply water for such non potable water uses as irrigation for gardens; fluid for indoor sewage systems; and washing vehicles.
Potable water, which has been purified under tertiary standards by treatment agencies such as the US Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct, is safe for human consumption though currently implemented in all human activity requiring water. From drinking fountains to laundry, shower, sewage and gardening uses, potable water is stretched thin and unnecessarily so. Collecting and reusing “free” rainwater onsite individual properties reduces stormwater run off as well as the energy used to treat and disseminate water that would otherwise not need it. Unlike green roofs, rain gardens and other stormwater retention systems, rain barrels are designed for conservation and reuse of non potable water for individual property needs.
Utilizing rain barrels on residential and commercial properties reduces municipal water and sewer authorities’ (such as the DC Water and Sewer Authority) loads for dissemination of water, especially during peak months. Additionally, these cisterns inherently save money for District properties as the revised District charges introduced in May 2009 are based on how much stormwater runoff a property has. Impervious surfaces – parking lots, driveways and buildings – prevent retention of water onsite and contribute 100% to runoff. Lessing the amount of run off will lessen a property’s fee.
Preventing runoff also helps keep waterways free from animal waste, lawn chemicals, trash and other ground debris. On the way to the stormwater sewage system, runoff collects these pollutants, which subsequently contaminates waterways – especially the Anacostia River.
Rain barrels take on may shapes and sizes, and can be either purchased or homemade, depending on the intended use. For example, in the recent modernization effort of the District’s H.D. Cooke Elementary public school, a series of rainwater cisterns were incorporated under the parking lot to collect, store and provide water to onsite vegetation. In contrast, individual residential buildings such as the historic R Street Apartments in Logan Circle may only require a few rain barrels.
Resource: The District Department of the Environment offers the RiverSmart Homes program to help offset costs for implementing rain barrels and other stormwater retention systems.
Comments
"Free" water is certainly the way to go! It seems much cleaner aswell, especially for household chores such as watering lawns and gardens!
A few corrections are in order.
1. DC WASA (the DC Water and Sewer Authority) purchases the drinking water it distributes from The Army Corps of Engineers Washington Aqueduct (WA). DC WASA does not treat the drinking water-WA does.
2. The District government, not DC WASA, charges the stormwater fee (to cover the costs of managing stormwater). DC WASA charges an impervious surface area charge to recover the costs for projects to eliminate/mitigate combined sewer overflows.
3. There is not yet a credit for low impact design and “green” water saving initiatives. DC WASA has participated in efforts with the District Department of the Environment to develop one, but it is not yet in effect.
Low impact development (LID) techniques like rain barrels do help promote sustainability, but the impact on the water bill isn’t as direct and immediate as the article makes it sound.
Pamela Mooring
Office of Public Affairs
DC Water and Sewer Authority
Pamela.Mooring@dcwasa.com
Great way to get the news out regarding conserving rainwater harvesting.
However, I didn't see anything regarding instructing the users of rain barrels the proper care and maintenance of rain gutters.
Water harvesting is only as clean as the gutters are clean!
Please explain to your readers how important it is to keep gutters squeaky clean for two very important reasons;1) keeps rain gutters free flowing, 2) keeps gutters free of disease, virus, mold, roaches that carry 33 different infectious diseases, bird nests, decaying debris, stagnant water that breeds mosquitoes which can carry West Nile Virus, leaves and other debris clogging us the gutters.
I invite y'all to come and visit with me on-line and see a brand new method of cleaning rain gutters that is safer, faster, cleaner, and saves you money. Its called the Gutter Clutter Buster and is called "The Best Gutter Cleaning Tool On The Market Today!"
recycle everyone
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