Rainwater Harvesting 4/06/2019 Rainwater Harvesting Rainwater Harvesting MCMGA / Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Montgomery County The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Speaker: Bob Dailey, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist • General Information – Water Sources & Uses • Passive RWH – Directing & Slowing Rainwater Runoff • Active RWH – Collecting & Storing Rainwater Rain Barrel Construction – Texas A&M http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZ7xr9EUDc#t=248 MCMGA: RWH at MCMGA, Self-Cleaning Rain Barrel, Part 1 Adaptive Garden: 1,100 Gallons Solar-Gravity: 2,000 Gallons Extension: 2,500 Gallons https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oARtz0JA4vI MCMGA: RWH at MCMGA, Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jK7xM9tNrxg Connecting to the Downspout – Rutgers Cooperative Extension https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5EnKSdWHeE How to install your Rain Barrel: The Woodlands G.R.E.E.N. http://www.thewoodlandsgreen.org/rain-barrels Education Center: 8,000 Gallons Earth-Kind: 3,000 Gallons Aquaponics: 300 Gallons Total Rainwater Storage = 17,000 Gallons MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Rainwater Harvesting The World Water Supply Key Publications (Downloadable - No Charge) “Rainwater Harvesting” Texas A&M Publication Number B-6153 http://aglifesciences.tamu.edu/baen/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2017/01/B-6153.-Rainwater-Harvesting.pdf “Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual, 3rd Ed” (Texas Water Development Board website) https://www.twdb.texas.gov/publications/brochures/conservation/doc/RainwaterHarvestingManual_3rdedition.pdf “Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use” TCEQ Publication GI-366, Jan. 2007 http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/files/2011/05/gi-366_2021994.pdf “Rainwater Harvesting: A Guide for Public Water Systems”, TCEQ Publication R45 http://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-445.html Salt Water 97% Key Websites AgriLIFE Extension: Rainwater Harvesting – Videos, photos, “How to…” Publications http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/ Glaciers and How to make a rain barrel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwZ7xr9EUDc#t=248 polar ice caps 2% Connecting your Rain Barrel: Youtube video http://www.thewoodlandsgreen.org/rain-barrels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5EnKSdWHeE Potable Water 1% American Rainwater Catchment Systems Assoc. – Videos, photos, information, more links http://www.arcsa.org/ Texas Water Development Board- publications and information on RWH http://www.twdb.texas.gov/innovativewater/index.asp http://www.twdb.state.tx.us/publications/reports/infosheets/index.asp Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District – Groundwater authority for Montgomery County, conservation information http://www.lonestargcd.org San Jacinto River Authority – Surface water authority for Montgomery County, conservation information http://www.sjra.net Harvest H20 – By Doug Pushard – Contains a lot of information on all aspects of RWH http://www.harvesth2o.com/about.shtml Master Gardeners of Montgomery County – Information on sales and training http://www.mcmga.com TCEQ Rainwater Harvesting – Sanitizing rainwaMCMGA:ter, Rainwater downloading Harvesting publications, , The Woodlands and 4/06/2019 more http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/ MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Texas Population Issue: Water Supply and Population Demand 50 51.0 46.4 40 41.9 37.7 33.6 30 29.5 20 Millions of Texans of Millions 10 0 2020 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2013 State Water Plan: TWDB (Texas Water Development Board) MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 1 Rainwater Harvesting 4/06/2019 Water & Your Yard - Basics Rainwater U.S.A. County Population Growth Development Impact on Runoff & Groundwater Top 14 Fastest Growing Counties > 500,000 Pre-Development Area Developed Area Counties > 500,000 During 1950 to 2000, the Conroe-Area Jasper Aquifer groundwater level declined ~200’ During the next 13 years, this groundwater aquifer level declined another ~200’. 50% absorbed, 10% runoff 15% absorbed, 55% runoff Published January 2017, “Yes, Mongtomery County Has a Groundwater Problem”, by Jace A. Houston (2014 USGS Scientific Investigations Map Report ), Dock Line Magazine, Lake Conroe Edition Need to slow the water down to provide time for use by plants and infiltration for groundwater replenishment https://factfinder.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?src=CF MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Texas Water Demand and Supply Water Sources & Irrigation Issue: Water Supply and Population Demand Water Information: • Texas Water Sources: 60% aquifer, 40% surface water • Montgomery County Water Sources: 70% aquifer, 30% surface water • Harris & Galveston County Water Sources: About 20% aquifer, 80% surface Potential to increase supply 9 million acre-feet with • Texas Household Water: Additional Programs by 2060 Average of 33% is used for landscape irrigation Cost 53B$ • Buffalo Household water: Surface water management Irrigation conservation 25% is used for landscape irrigation Groundwater management Water reuse Municipal water conservation Desalination • Conroe Household water: 42% is used for landscape irrigation (TWDB Technical Note 12-01, 2012) 2012 State Water Plan: TWDB (Texas Water Development Board) 1-Ac-Ft = 325,900 Gallons MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Water Rainwater Harvesting As residents, what can we do? What is rainwater harvesting? • Water Conservation o Stop Leaks Collecting or directing rainwater for use in a o Install low volume toilets, showerheads, and variety of applications in place of municipal faucets water. o Use water efficient appliances o Reduce water-use for irrigation • Alternate Water Souces o Greywater o Condensation Recovery o Desalination o Rainwater Harvesting MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 2 Rainwater Harvesting 4/06/2019 Rainwater Harvesting Texas Rainwater Benefits of Saving Rainwater Rainwater Harvesting Do I receive enough rain to make this worthwhile? 1. Conserves our water resources 2. Reduces pollution, erosion, & flooding 3. Provides better quality water for our plants and fish 4. Provides a water source during restrictions 5. Provides better use of a valuable resource than running it into the storm drains or ditches 6. Currently this saves a little money on our water bills, but will save a lot in the future MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Rainfall in Conroe Collecting Rainwater Monthly Rainfall Average (Inches) Rainfall Data for 1981 through 2010 How much water can I collect off of my roof in Conroe, Texas? Annual average rainfall = 48”/yr 6 5 1500 4 Horizontal House + Garage 2,000 sq ft Area 3 Catchment Area 500 (Roof) 2 1” Rainfall will collect ~1,000 Gallons Inches of Rainfall 48” Rainfall will collect ~48,000 Gallons 1 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Supply = Rainfall x 0.62 x Catchment x System (gallons) (inches) (conv) Area (Sq Ft) Efficiency Average monthly rainfall is 4.0” 48” x 0.62 x 2000 sq ft x 0.8 Conroe Airport Data Source : = 48,000 gallons/year MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Incentives Rainwater Harvesting Systems Sales Tax Exemption Texas Tax Code 151.355 exempts rainwater Catchment Systems harvesting equipment, services, and supplies from A way to catch the water. sales tax. HB 645 Passed by the 78th Legislature in 2003, prevents Distribution HOAs from banning rainwater harvesting A method to route it. installations. The legislation allows HOAs to require screening or shielding to obscure view of the tanks. Storage or Application A place to put it. MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 3 Rainwater Harvesting 4/06/2019 Rainwater Harvesting Systems Rainwater Harvesting Systems Papago Buttes Corporate Center, Phoenix, Arizona Shade structures / rainwater catchment areas Passive collection/distribution – rainwater directed into raingardens, CIP, etc. Active collection/distribution – rainwater directed to storage tanks, then distributed as needed. MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 M. Robertson – Eugene OR MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Passive Rainwater Harvesting Systems Simple Rainwater Harvesting Systems Objective: To slow water movement to reduce erosion, Rain Gardens sedimentation, flooding and pollution; to provide more time for infiltration and use by plants. Passive Collection-Distribution • Catchment area Rooftops Parking Areas, Streets • Distribution • Landscaping for Rainwater Use Rain Gardens Swales Diffusers, Sump Pumps Contour Plantings Terraces Permeable Surfaces TAMU TAMU MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 Passive Rainwater Harvesting System Passive Rainwater Harvesting System Rain Gardens Along the Street Parking & Planting Areas MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 MCMGA: Rainwater Harvesting , The Woodlands 4/06/2019 4 Rainwater Harvesting 4/06/2019 Passive Rainwater Harvesting System Passive Rainwater Harvesting System Parking & Planting Areas Add a downspout diffuser Diffuser Bottom of 3” PVC 3/8” holes Holes on 5” spacing. Must use gutter Mendeck Missouri Botanical Gardens Mendeck