About RainStay

A Brief History

RainStay grew out of an environmental initiative of the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) in response to threats faced by the Charles River and the citizens who rely on the river. Ongoing development within the watershed has increased demand for drinking water drawn from the watershed while an increase in impervious surfaces such as roofs, parking areas and roads has disrupted the natural replenishment of groundwater. In many towns, storm water that once sank through the soil now runs into street drains to be combined with sewage. The combined effluent is then treated and piped out of the watershed. Meanwhile residents water their lawns and gardens with water drawn from the ground or with municipal drinking water. The combined effect of these events is an increased volatility of stream flow and a general decrease in the quantity of water in the river.

After studying the river and documenting this trend for many years, the CRWA developed a strategy to protect the river and its watershed. The principal goal is to keep water local, so that less water is piped to where it is needed and less water is piped away from where it originates. As the largest and oldest organization devoted to watershed protection in the country, the CRWA has long been a leader in creating and exporting new protection methods and technologies. The result of the initiative was a design for a system to store and utilize rainwater that is flexible and well adapted for the harsh New England climate.

Over a two year period, the CRWA installed numerous systems within the watershed and then monitored their performance, making adjustments to materials and techniques as necessary. Finally in 2003, RainStay was established by Kenneth Dews as a commercial venture to make the proven systems available to the general public.

RainStay Info

RainStay has gone through many changes in order to work as proficiently as it does today. The work of transporting, excavating, and installation, formerly contracted out was brought in-house. Machinery was purchased specifically for these tasks with the goal of minimizing disturbance to landscaped yards. RainStay is willing to work with your landscape architect and building contractor to include rainwater harvesting in the design for new construction. Rainwater harvesting systems can now also be configured to work seamlessly with a standard in-ground irrigation system. For more information about our system designs and capabilities got to our “About System Components” page.

Former CRWA employee, Kenneth Dews, has a Masters degree in Environmental Science and has also been certified by The American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association as a Rainwater Professional. He is also a registered Home Improvement Contractor and Licensed Hoisting Engineer in the State of Massachusetts. Mr. Dews owns and operates RainStay and guarantees that it is fully insured.