Rainwater Systems.

Offer low-maintenance solutions for rain water collection, filtration, storage, and re-use. In a typical installation, water from all of the downspouts od a building is piped to a central filter that removes most of the solids. The clean water is stored in either underground or surface tanks. Specialized pumps, control system, and disinfections system make it possible to use the rain water for irrigating landscapes, filling pools and ponds, washing cars, flushing toilets, washing clothes, showering and even drink.

What are the benefits?
The most obvious benefit of a rainwater system is LEED certification; up to 7 points can be garnered by installing a system in a new building. The process itself is inherently green - reusing rainwater reduces the stress on groundwater supply and helps curb run-off and erosion. Yudelson says that one of the most important benefits is using the process as a teaching opportunity for building occupants and stakeholders.

How much water can I get?
Northerly cities like Chicago average about 38 inches per year. Although it’s difficult to say how much water can be saved by reusing rainwater, up to 80 percent of rainfall can be collected and used in a building. Total collection is impossible due to negligible rainfall when the water pools and evaporates on the roof or when overflow occurs during heavy rain.