Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai'i
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Macomber Systems G U I D E L I N E S O N Rainwater for Hawai‘i Catchment University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa of Hawai‘i University ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Agriculture College of Tropical ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Guidelines on Rainwater CatchmentAcknowledgments, Systems for Hawai‘i publication data Acknowledgments About this publication The author wishes especially to thank the following people The information contained herein is subject to change for reviewing the manuscript and providing valuable in- or correction. Procedures described should be consid- sights and perspectives: Melvin Hamano, Hawai‘i Depart- ered as suggestions only. To the knowledge of the au- ment of Health, Safe Drinking Water Branch; Deborah J. thor, the information given is accurate as of December Ward and Carl I. Evensen, CTAHR Department of Natural 2001. Neither the University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, the Resources and Environmental Management; Geeta K. Rijal, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Re- Department of Microbiology and Water Resources Research sources, the United States Department of Agriculture, Center, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa; and B. K. Blesh. the agencies providing funding for printing, nor the au- Mahalo to the many rainwater catchment system us- thor shall be liable for any damage or injury resulting ers who answered survey questions and allowed their from the use of or reliance on the information contained systems to be photographed, as well as to the commer- in this publication or from any omissions to this publi- cial vendors who provided insight and photo releases, cation. Mention of a company, trade, or product name including Robert Jordan; Peter Epperson, Pacific Gunite; or display of a proprietary product does not imply ap- Verne Wood, Puna Water Services; Mike Greenslaw, proval or recommendation of the company or product Paradise Pools; Kevin Bradley, Chem-tainer; Terrence to the exclusion of others that may also be suitable. Hart, Safe Water Systems; and Dennis DeNooy, Front This information may be updated in more recent Street Manufacturing LLC. Thanks go also to the publications posted on the CTAHR Web site, <www. Hawai‘i County Fire Department; to CTAHR colleagues ctahr.hawaii.edu>. For information on obtaining addi- Samir A. El-Swaify, Mike Robotham, Dale Evans, and tional copies of this book, contact the Publications and Miles Hakoda; and to Hawai‘i Department of Health– Information Office, CTAHR–UHM, 3050 Maile Way Safe Drinking Water Branch chief William Wong and (Gilmore Hall 119), Honolulu, HI 96822; 808-956-7036; staff members Stuart Yamada, Michael Miyahira, and 808-956-5966 (fax); e-mail <[email protected]>. Donald Yasutake. Funding for printing this document and to support Important notice CTAHR’s efforts in maintaining a rainwater catchment Users of chemicals such as household bleach for water system outreach program has been provided in part by treatment do so at their own risk. Most of these prod- the Hawai‘i Department of Health* and grants from the ucts are not labeled for use in rainwater catchment sys- Rural Community Assistance Corporation and the tems. Use of a commercial product as a biocide for sani- County of Hawai‘i. Thanks go to these organizations tation purposes is subject to the limitations, restrictions, for their financial support and efforts to enhance the precautions, and directions given on the product label. quality of life in Hawai‘i’s communities. *Disclaimer: The views and recommendations contained Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai‘i in this document are the views and recommendations of Patricia S. H. Macomber the author, not of the Hawai‘i Department of Health. Because many variables affect the quality of water gen- Revised edition, copyright 2004 © erated by a rainwater catchment system, the Hawai‘i De- College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, partment of Health does not endorse the concept that University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa water of drinking-water quality may be achieved or maintained in all instances through compliance with the CTAHR Resource Management publication no. RM-12b recommendations contained in this document. ISBN 1-929325-16-9 Published by the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Andrew G. Hashimoto, Director/Dean, Cooperative Extension Service/CTAHR, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa, Honolulu, HI 96822. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution providing programs and services to the people of Hawai‘i without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, arrest and court record, sexual orientation, or veteran status. CTAHR publications can be found on the Web site <http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu> or ordered by calling 808-956-7046 or sending e-mail to [email protected]. 2 Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai‘i Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai‘i Patricia S. H. Macomber Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawai‘i at Mänoa n estimated 30,000 to 60,000 people in the state water you use. The information is organized into six sec- of Hawai‘i are dependent on a rainwater catch- tions, as follows: Ament system for their water needs. The major- 1Water collection—how to catch the water, how much ity of those people are located on the island of Hawai‘i water you need in the Puna, Ka‘ü, and Hämakua districts. With proper 2Water storage—what to keep it in design, maintenance, and water treatment, a rainwater 3Catchment system maintenance—identifying prob- catchment system can provide water that is relatively lems, keeping the tank clean free of contamination, soft, clear, and odorless; this wa- 4Water treatment—sources of water contamination, ter can be used for drinking, bathing, washing, flushing, principles of water treatment laundry, and gardening.(1) But if the system is not prop- 5Water testing—keeping tabs on water quality erly designed and maintained, it can be a source of seri- 6 Firefighting concerns ous health risk and illness. It is very important that those using water from a Many people using a rainwater catchment system rainwater catchment system understand all of the po- have never noticed a problem with their water system. tential dangers. In Hawai‘i, there are no government This could be because they do not have any problems, agencies overseeing the safety of your catchment sys- but it may also be due to the fact that problems with tem. It is up to you as the owner or user of the system to water systems are not always obvious. Some problems know how to maintain the water source and use it in a may take years to show up, and then it is too late. Some manner appropriate for yourself and your family. people can be immune to many water-tank pathogens, This publication is for people who are building or or they may be infected but not show symptoms, but a maintaining a rainwater catchment system. It is intended visitor could drink the same water and become ill. Like- to help them improve the quality of their water supply. wise, a healthy adult may not become ill, but an elderly While there are too many variables to make any system person or an infant—people that are particularly sus- 100 percent safe, this publication should help you recog- ceptible to illnesses caused by contaminated water— nize problems, and it also suggests ways to minimize could become deathly ill from drinking water from the them. It starts with the premise that from the raindrop to same catchment system. your faucet, the whole system affects the quality of the 3 Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai‘i 4 Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai‘i Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................ 3 Other problems with catchment water ................. 25 Water pollution hazards for rainwater catchment Bacterial, viral, and parasitic worm diseases ....... 26 systems..................................................................