Enhancing forest data transparency for climate action
From Drizzle to Downpours: GCD Rainwater Harvesting Programs - Adeline Fox & Jill Garcia
1. From Drizzle to
Downpours:
GCD Rainwater
Harvesting Programs
Adeline Fox – Texas Water Conservation Association
Jill Garcia – Upper Trinity Groundwater District
2. Outline
Harvesting Basics & Considerations
GCD Rainwater Harvesting Projects
Harvesting Education Resources
Building/Maintaining your own program as
a GCD
4. Rainwater Harvesting
Basics/Calculators
Intended use & financial
commitment dictate design &
function.
Available resources = initial storage
volume + gallons captured – gallons
used.
Water audit of property/business
allows user to quantify savings.
Storage capacity impacted by
available space on property/site.
Rainfall x catchment surface x .62
x system efficiency = __________
5. System
Components
Catchment Surface (land or
structure)
Gutters and Downspouts
Leaf screens, first flush
diverters, and roof washers
Storage Tanks/Cisterns
Delivery Systems (gravity based
or pump)
Treatment & Filtration
6. Catchment Surfaces
Galvanized Metal (~95% efficiency) (Zn leaching potential)
Clay/Concrete Tile (~85% efficiency) (porous absorption)
Composite/Asphalt Shingles (Popular) (~85% efficiency)
(High alkalinity potential)
Wood (barn roofs, verify if fire retardants are present).
Solar Panels (worth testing caught water but viable
surface)
Roof Coatings (elastomeric paints) (high efficiency)
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND
8. Filtration &
Treatment
• Consider your transport plan and distribution outlets (hose
or drip emitters)
• Roof washing diverts around 10 gallons per 1,000 gallons to
reduce debris
• Sediment filters (1, 5 microns) reduce damage and buildup
on drip emitters
Non-Potable Systems
• Human consumption/exposure means additional financial
investment
• Filtration + Disinfection cuts down on pathogens and biota
• Popular system: 5-micron filter + 3-micron charcoal
cartridge filter + UV Filtration
• Disinfection after pressure tank and pump in system, all
should be stored in a pump house or away from the
elements to avoid damage.
• Maintenance of systems: replacement of cartridges
Potable Systems
9. A.U.A. (Ask us Anything) with a
Rainwater Harvesting Contractor
What questions do your staff receive the most about harvesting systems from potential clients?
“Does it rain enough in Texas to sustain a system?” Yes, it does.
Opinions on flush diverters and roof washers?
We only use first flush diverters in potable systems. It’s not needed for irrigation or
animal use.
Most popular tank ordered by clients?
The metal Pioneer water tanks are the most popular.
Component of systems requires the most maintenance and upkeep?
The ultraviolet system for potable systems, filters need to be changed once a year. Make
sure your screen filters are clean of debris on downspouts and the tank, and make sure
your gutters stay clear of debris.
Most popular filtration system clients purchase?
For non potable systems we recommend leaf eaters at each downspout and a post pump
inline banjo filter. Yes, for potable systems they get the Viqua Ultraviolet purification
unit.
Anything y’all as rainwater contractors would like to share with groundwater districts?
We are only capturing rainwater temporarily and will be putting it back into the soil and ultimately
aquifers.
16. Rebates, Loans & Cost
Sharing
Post Oak Savannah GCD (Rebate Program)
Rebate available after approved schematic and
completed rainwater harvesting course through
GCD.
Maximum lifetime reimbursement: $3,000.00
Panhandle GCD (Rebate & Loan Program)
Based on project capacity (< or > 2,000 gallons)
Loans available, 10% of total system due upfront,
five-year payback @ 2% interest.
Upper Trinity GCD (Cost Sharing & Grant Program)
Available upon selection through district grant
application process and interview – cost sharing
abilities impact quantitative rubric score.
Amounts available dependent upon fiscal year
24. In-House Technical
Consultations – Upper
Trinity/ Post Oak Savannah
Interested landowners schedule appointments
through website and chat service.
Consultations were handled by education staff
and met with landowners at their property or
facilities or reviewed plans after appropriate
classes are completed.
Staff identified the intended use of rainwater,
what catchment surfaces the landowner
wanted to catch utilize, and storage options.
Staff assisted with the following steps:
Calculating area of catchment surfaces &
potential volumes
Measuring lines of transport depending on
wet/dry conveyance systems
Directing landowners to prices of filtration
and storage tank options; as well as ARCSA
certified contractors in the area
Emailing bulk data to
landowner/organization at the end of the
visit
26. Choosing a RWH
Program for your GCD
Consider primary groundwater users to
determine who would benefit from
rainwater harvesting.
Varies by county & geographic area
Domestic Users - potential for shed and
roof catchment.
Agriculture & Livestock Users – barn
catchment surfaces
Identify benefits to users
Financial, Cultural
Provide a resource to interested parties
(does not have to be monetary)
Educational Resources
Classes
Funding
27. RWH Program for your GCD –
Resources & Program Ideas
Share online resources to train staff in content and practices
ARCSA – American Rainwater Catchment Systems of
America
Texas based companies (installers, designers,
contractors)
Resource guide through
website https://arcsaresource.com/
Create GCD specific publications on RWH that highlight local
citizens with established systems as community partners
Host rainwater harvesting tours of residential and commercial
systems in your district
Host outreach events at community centers or district office
Partner with others in the community to alleviate costs of classes
and materials
28. Questions?
Adeline Fox
Texas Water Conservation Association
afox@twca.org; (512) 472-7216
Jill Garcia
Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District
jill@uppertrinitygcd.com; (817)523-5200
Notas del editor
Include City of Pflugerville’s past win for the Raincatcher of the year Award
In an effort to promote water conservation, the City of Pflugerville Public Works Department hosted their first Rain Barrel Sale in 2013 allowing residents to purchase affordable rain barrels for rainwater harvesting. The department sold 393 barrels to the local community. To promote the event, the city placed brochures in public locations and in city offices and advertisements in local newsletters. City staff also made a presentation at a city council meeting prior to the event. The city has received positive feedback on the program.
Also, during an expansion of the city library in 2013, the city installed a 4,900-gallon galvanized steel tank to collect water from the roof of the library for a fountain in the garden. The aim was to educate the residents on water conservation and to get them interested in and to consider rainwater harvesting for their own homes.
(my parents were one of the first purchasers of these rain barrels in P-ville during this event. They lived there until about two years ago, unfortunately this event happened while I was away at Tarleton. )
Category: Community
Organization Location: Kerrville, Texas
Activity:Harvested rain is stored in two 65,000-gallon galvanized storage tanks and used onsite for various non-potable water needs.
Background:
The Hill Country Youth Event Center Complex in Kerrville opened in December 2012 and hosts as many as 30,000 visitors a year at numerous community events. Kerr County Commissioners faced a high water use dilemma when the new complex was built and chose rainwater harvesting as the solution. Funded by a county bond election and designed and installed by Mr. Barry Wall of Ingram, the system funnels rainwater from both the main exhibit hall and the west side of the adjacent arena into two 65,000-gallon galvanized storage tanks fitted with food-grade liners.
The collection system provides all the water for the 45 indoor and 18 outdoor livestock wash bays and for all the toilets and urinals in the exhibit hall. The water is also used for dust control in the indoor arena and to irrigate the event center’s native Texas landscaping. By harvesting the rainwater, localized flooding, erosion, and runoff into the Guadalupe River are reduced. The system is backed-up by the City of Kerrville’s water supply, but rainwater has supplied all needs to date.
https://www.bluebarrelsystems.com/blog/roofing-materials-for-rainwater-harvesting/
https://www.harvesth2o.com/capture-system.shtml#:~:text=Multiply%20the%20Maximum%20Annual%20Gallons,of%20Available%20Annual%20Harvestable%20Rainwater.
For a tile/metal roof assume a 95% runoff efficiency
For a concrete/asphalt roof assume a 95% runoff efficiency
For a gravel roof assume a 70% runoff efficiency
For a bare soil roof assume a 75% runoff efficiency
For a grass roof assume a 17% runoff efficiency
Zinc can also be used as a herbicide so treating from galvanized metal roofs is paramount if being used for irrigation.
https://www.bluebarrelsystems.com/blog/roofing-materials-for-rainwater-harvesting/
https://info.nsf.org/Certified/Protocols/Listings.asp?TradeName=&Standard=P151
Advantages (Fiberglass)
Can be an economical storage solution for water
Aesethically pleasing option since surface can be easily be painted whatever color or even with a mural
Can be manufactured individually for your system needs
Provides strength and durability for years of reliable performance
Can be food grade, NSF approved for drinking water storage
Offers best protection against environmental damage due to fiberglass stability
Disadvantages: (Fiberglass)
Outer surfaces of fiberglass tank can degrade with UV exposure
Must be delivered to site and craned into place so ample access to cistern location must be available
Manufacturing and distribution of fiberglass tanks can be localized, meaning they may be difficult to find in your area or costly to ship from their manufacturing facilities
If you desire a large rainwater storage volume, you would have to use multiple fiberglass tanks which could end up wasting space. Think about a round peg going into a square or a rectangle.
https://www.watercache.com/portfolio/aboveground-fiberglass-cisterns
https://www.ntotank.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=polypropylene (for propylene prices)
Lots of words no pics fix
Will make a point to say these are just several of many successful projects and just because we didn’t cover a specific GCD does not mean they’re not doing meaningful and impactful outreach in their respective communities.
2 cisterns and rain garden – captures about 80,000 gallons/year
Water education trailer covers several rainwater harvesting programs/concepts
2022 TWDB Raincatcher Award Winner
Calling Michael with prairielands today 5/26 to ask a little more about how the system came into being for backup talking points
Similar set up to Lonestar, wanted one to promote rainwater harvesting , using for drip irrigation for local plant life
Another cistern at the back of the property with a different company out of Mansfield, TX. (rainwater company)
First company through a contractor for the work but second addition was a rainwater harvesting company.
Back system holds up to how many gallons, (first system put in 2020, back system put in 2022).
Back system leads into a rain garden – to showcase native plants, Michael looking up total volume. Budget available and wanted to make a teaching location at the office site, especially for the classes they host for rainwater harvesting at the office. Rain Ranchers did the back-end system, and modified the front system, regular maintenance.
Two galvanized metal tanks in the back, just got a carport awning and capturing rainwater from the awning structure. ______________ .
https://spuwcd.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Rainwater_Harv_Projects.pdf
Installed the system at the office in 2014
Demonstrations, cost-sharing projects, and educational information
RWH workshops – giving away rain barrels and rain chains
https://www.hpwd.org/rainwaterharvesting
Rain garden and permeable parking spots at office
Cost-shared projects through grant program – Preston Smith Elementary and Wollforth City Library
Education programs and information online
Partnered with Leadership Montgomery County
Class of 2014 selected a RWH project
Utilized a sponsorship tier to pay for the installs
Have a demo in their education trailer too
https://www.pgcd.us/rainwater-harvesting
https://posgcd.org/rainwater/
Will have printouts for additional resources on these groups
Include logos for san antonio river authority, nueces, Tarrant regional water
15 RWH demonstrations – one at every public school in three counties
System sizes range from 50 – 3000 gallons
Collected rainwater used to irrigate landscape
Partnership to conduct education programs at schools
https://nueces-ra.org/education/
This miniature barn is equipped with gutters and a rain water collection system calibrated to show how much water can be collected by a simple system. It is an engaging tool delivered along with video presentations by Billy Kniffin, one of Texas’s leaders in rainwater harvesting.
San Antonio River Authority
Green Stormwater Best Management Practices to help with polluted runoff – cisterns drain to rain garden - 2,500 gallons to 10,000 capacity
Watershed Wise School Grant and Rebate program as a way to educate students and incentivize the development community. SARA has also partnered with the City on an Low Impact Development (LID) Bond Match program, funding half of the added cost to incorporate LID/Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) in City Bond Projects.
7,500 gallon capacity
Built in 2008, the new annex building was designed for sustainability and meets LEED Gold standards from the U.S. Green Building Council. In addition to collecting rainwater, water-efficient landscaping, storm water retention and energy efficiency is incorporated in the design. Also, solar panels produce energy from the roof.
Staff provides tours of the campus to educate the public and developers by talking about the “Rainscapes” and the many options for green infrastructure, recommended plants, rainwater harvesting, etc. Staff also has various public education and outreach classes, workshops and handouts on rainwater harvesting, building your own 50 gallon rain barrel, etc.
https://ccgcd.org/education/videos/
Extensive educational videos covering residential installation, rw for irrigation
Collecting greywater and condensation
https://www.arcsa.org/store/ViewProduct.aspx?id=8867679
https://www.twdb.texas.gov/innovativewater/rainwater/training/index.asp
it would be cool if TAGD was able to provide a discount for gcd members looking to learn more about RW
Post oak savannah has a similar approval program through their rebate, landowners submit plans to the district for their systems to receive compensation, and there’s a max limit on compensation per gallon/per roof area.
Requested a thunderstorm pic from one of our field staff who’s a photographer.
financial partnerships can alleviate the costs of classes and materials.
Home inspectors
Title Agents
Gutter Repair
Plumbing
Drilling Companies
Realtors and agencies
Financial partnerships can alleviate the costs of classes and materials.
Home inspectors
Title Agents
Gutter Repair
Plumbing
Drilling Companies
Realtors and agencies