5 Things to Know About Stormwater Pollution

 There is a crucial difference between rainwater and stormwater. Rainwater is relatively clean water collected on rooftops, but it turns into stormwater once it reaches the ground. Why? Because of pollution. 

Stormwater can pose a huge problem, especially for urban communities.  The volume of stormwater and the pollution carried with it can overwhelm local stormwater infrastructure and treatment facilities.  Fortunately, there are industrial rainwater harvesting systems that can turn this liability into an asset. Before investing in such a system, here are five things you should know about stormwater:

1. Stormwater can be contaminated by silt, hydrocarbons, nitrates, and other substances. However, the contaminated stormwater can still be reused after proper filtration and sanitation.
2. Harvested stormwater can be treated and used for irrigation, toilet flushing and serve as make-up water for cooling towers.
3. Mitigating stormwater is often a requirement of local municipalities.  This often results in property owners investing in detention strategies that can be quite costly.  Instead of detaining the stormwater (holding it briefly and releasing it slowly to the storm system,) retaining the water on site and treating it for reuse can turn a liability into an asset.
4. Stormwater can run off into rivers, lakes, and streams, taking its contaminants with it. Harvesting this water reduces the pollution that can threaten the plant and marine life living in these bodies of water.
5. Reducing stormwater pollution through collection and filtration not only protects the environment, but it can also save property owners money. Industrial water harvesting systems are an excellent long-term investment despite the upfront cost. Thousands of dollars can be saved on water bills each month thanks to the supply of usable stormwater.

Are you considering a water harvesting system installation? Look for a provider that offers an advanced harvesting system made with the latest technology and durable materials. Ensure that the provider has enough experience, knowledge, and skill when it comes to water harvesting.

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Five Reasons to Have A Greywater Harvesting System

Unlike rainwater or condensate, greywater comes from the sink, shower, process rinse water, or pool backwash. Despite the  origins, it can be a practical and helpful resource used to flush toilets, water the grass and plants, or for  other non-potable applications. Here are five reasons why you should invest in one:

1. Provides a constant water supply – Greywater can provide a consistent supply of water for flushing toilets, which requires an average of 1.28 to 1.6 gallons of water per flush. With the right system, greywater could meet all of your toilet flushing needs. 

2. Reduce reliance on municipal water – Installing a greywater treatment system can reduce the use of potable, municipal water.  This not only lowers your water bill, but impacts the burden on the community’s public water supply. 

3. Ease the burden on sewage system – A greywater harvesting system can reduce wastewater volume going to on-site treatment systems and sewers. So, those systems could work more efficiently, and flooding can be reduced.

4. Compliant with standards for effectiveness and safety – A high-quality system uses cutting-edge greywater filtration,  sanitation and monitoring, treating to a standard that is safe for the public. Then, aesthetic and health concerns are eliminated as you meet regulatory requirements in your community. Consider a greywater harvesting system and filtration skid that are tested on the field and compliant to NSF/ANSI Standard 350.

Save Money and the Environment With Rainwater Harvesting Systems

The adverse impact of the burgeoning population and the extensive pollution caused by non-renewable sources of energy (including fossil fuels, petrol, and diesel), have adversely impacted the environment and ecological habitats to a great extent. It is the responsibility of every individual and business to put in place sustainable practices. Future generations  are relying on current efforts to maintain a healthy planet. One step in the right direction is  the use of a rain harvesting system, which decreases the strain on water resources. A rainwater harvesting system may not only save thousands of gallons of water, but can also save money on utility bills.

 

Reduced Water Costs

 

Due to the logistics of retro-fitting an existing building for rainwater harvesting, the ideal time to consider a system is before the building is built.The implementation of a rainwater harvesting system during the design phase will ensure that the building owners will have the proper infrastructure and space for the water harvesting system.  The use of a rainwater harvesting system can reduce municipal water consumption, saving water and money.

 

Saving The Planet And Improving The Environment

 

A rainwater harvesting system has also been found to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff.  This not only benefits the municipality by reducing stress on the storm systems, but it can also help the environment by preventing harmful runoff from contaminating green spaces.  Rainwater harvesting used for irrigation also promotes the growth of natural plants, combating greenhouse gases and improving environmental sustainability.An up-front investment in water harvesting can provide many benefits for years to come.

A Step-By-Step Guide on Gray Water Harvesting System

Unlike rainwater or stormwater, gray water, or greywater, refers to water that has been “gently used”  from lavatory sinks, showers, baths and light industrial applications and has not yet been treated.  It can be harvested and treated for non-potable application such as flushing toilets, irrigation and cooling tower make-up. Gray water supply can be predictable and steady, resulting in potentially high water savings. However, it must be treated properly to produce a water quality that is safe and adheres to local codes.  A proper greywater system includes the following:

• Collection - When gray water is collected, it must be treated as soon as possible to stabilize and prevent it from becoming septic. Untreated gray water is never stored longer than 24 hours.  The collection vessel should have a sloped or conical bottom, allowing for the tank to be fully drained.

• Filtration –Filtration is one of the most critical steps in gray water harvesting system . In addition to removing hair and lint, the system must be able remove particulates to a level that will allow the sanitation process to be effective.

• Sanitation – After gray water filtration, the water is sanitized for use. Chlorination and ultraviolet sanitation methods may be applied to accomplish this.

• Storage – The method of storage for the treated gray water will depend on how the gray water  harvesting system is used, the supply and demand, and the available space for the tanks. Typically, the storage system is connected to a municipal water source in case there is not enough gray water supply.

• Monitoring – Sophisticated gray water harvesting systems have programmable logic controllers to automate and oversee the whole process of harvesting and storage.

Essential Components of Stormwater Harvesting System

In the water harvesting industry, there is a difference between rainwater and stormwater.  Rainwater is defined as water from rooftops.  When rainwater reaches the ground, it is called stormwater. Stormwater is typically less clean than rainwater, as it can contain trash, silt, hydrocarbons, road salt, nitrates, fertilizers, and other types of contaminants. To understand better how stormwater collection systems work, it’s important to know their essential components:

Harvesting

A stormwater collection system diverts water from large, diverse areas that can contain a variety of contaminants. The runoff it pre-filtered and sent to cisterns where it will be stored temporarily.

Pre-treatment

A stormwater collection system not only provides storage, but also filters and sanitizes the water for non-potable applications. The first step in that process is pre-treating or filtering runoff before it enters the cistern. Pre-filtrations captures hydrocarbons, debris, pollutants, and sediments, which keeps the cistern cleaner and reduces the load on downstream processing equipment. Pre-filtration treatment processes will vary depending on the source of the water  and how it will be reused.

Storage system

Typical stormwater management utilizes  a detention system that only holds the water temporarily.  Stormmwater harvesting systems send water to a cistern where it can be retained and used.  Some examples of storage systems includeunderground fiberglass tanks and concrete vaults.

Treatment

Once the water is harvested, it can be treated for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing or irrigation.  The water is filtered, sanitized and pressurized for reuse.  The design of the processing system is dependent on the supply, demand and volume required.

Stormwater Harvesting System – Is it Right for You?

In many cities, stormwater management is becoming increasingly important.  As infrastructures age, managing stormwater on-site can reduce the load on storm systems and water treatment plants.  Many municipalities require that stormwater be detained on-site, and then released to the storm system slowly so as not to overwhelm the city storm system.  This often means creating a storage space for stormwater, that remains empty much of the time.  Instead of simply detaining stormwater, why not retain it, treat it and use it on site, turning the storage cistern into an asset?

Most people have heard of rainwater harvesting, but may be unfamiliar with the concept of stormwater harvesting. There is a difference between “rainwater” and “stormwater.” They both begin with a rain event. “Rainwater” is the relatively clean water coming from rooftops and other above ground surfaces. But once that rainwater reaches the ground, it becomes “stormwater” that may be contaminated with silt, hydrocarbons from automobiles, road salt in northern climates, nitrates, other fertilizers from landscaped areas and more. Because of this, additional filtration and cleaning steps are required, but stormwater can still be an excellent harvested water resource.

A stormwater collection system can receive water from impervious surfaces such as sidewalks, driveways, and streets, which block precipitation from naturally penetratingthe ground. Capturing this water not only helps to reduce the load on the city storm system, but it has the added benefit of reducing polluted runoff. Once harvested, the stormwatercan then be treated and used for non-potable purposes such as  irrigation, toilet flushing, vehicle wash and more. 

How Capturing Air Conditioner Condensate Can Save Your Company Money

Air conditioning is an important feature in any business. It helps keep the facilities and equipment cool to prevent overheating, while providing comfort to your staff and customers. But did you know that it can serve another purpose beyond cooling and keeping you comfortable? Its condensate can be collected and reused for other purposes, such as irrigation and flushing toilets. By capturing condensate, you can reduce your company’s water consumption and save on utility bills down the line.

Condensate can be a free and easy resource when available. If your commercial building has a forced-air cooling system, the air travels over the cold coils from the compressor and the moisture condenses into a collection pan. Instead of letting that condensate go to the municipal sewer system, consider collecting it for re-use. On average, a commercial building can produce hundreds to thousands of gallons of condensate. Capturing air conditioner condensate makes sense if you want to reduce your water bills and increase your sustainability goals.

If you already have a rainwater harvesting system, it is easy to add condensate to your supply stream. Condensate can provide a supply source that is often available, even when rainwater is not.  This makes capturing air conditioner condensate an ideal way to save money, while applying environmentally friendly measures to save water.

Condensate harvesting systems are designed to be efficient and inexpensive, providing attractive returns on your investment. They do not require large tanks and the pressurization and treatment capabilities are sized for steady and slow capture and reuse. The condensate is filtered and sanitized to remove potentially harmful bacteria and mold. Reach out to a good water harvesting solutions provider so they can design a system for capturing air conditioner condensate in your business.

Find A Professional Rainwater Harvesting System Installation Provider for Your Facility

Rainwater harvesting has been practiced for thousands of years. Early systems were often the only way to ensure a supply of fresh water when the well went dry.  Eventually, municipal systems replaced home wells and cisterns, but that does not mean the practice is lost.  In fact, municipalities realize now that they need alternate strategies for conserving the public water supply.  So, they are raising rates, requiring water-efficient fixtures, and encouraging systems that reuse water sources available on-site – like rainwater, greywater and condensate.  To get started, commercial facilities will need to find a supplier-partner who specializes in these systems and can provide the required analysis, system design and delivery.  Here are tips to make that easier:

• Know your options – Look up service providers and narrow down the selection to only those that are proven for the quality of their rainwater harvesting systems and services. Determine their approach to what they do, too. Some companies use a holistic approach in building and designing systems. This means they try to integrate different sources of renewable water with multiple uses of water that has been treated to deliver maximum savings to you.

• Choose experienced providers – Make sure that the rainwater harvesting system installation provider has extensive experience and skills in what they do. They should be competent in designing systems, controls, and filtration systems, with focus on institutional and commercial needs. And they should be passionate about water conservation, too. You want to ensure that they keep your best interests in mind when customizing and planning your water harvesting solution.

• Verify their credentials – Choose a service provider that is part of the US Green Building Council. They should have a proven background in helping their clients achieve their LEED certification through their rainwater harvesting system installations.

• Find out what makes up their system – It should meet rigorous regulatory and building requirements and come complete with not only the equipment, but the support needed to correctly install and commission the system to make sure it works properly.  Their price should include complete O&M manuals and in-site training of your staff.  Finally, they should have the field support needed to help maintain and repair your system when needed.

Read feedback – Find out what their customers are saying about their rainwater harvesting system installation – is the system working well? Was the design and delivery process smooth? Would they recommend the company?