System Component Descriptions

• Collection and Cleaning
• Storage
• Water Retrieval
• Groundwater Recharge
• Installation

 

Collection and Cleaning

Rainwater entering the system is collected from the roof. For underground systems a pipe is buried around the perimeter of the house and collects water from each downspout just beneath the ground. Roof water typically contains a fair amount of large detritus from the roof such as leaves, as well as smaller particles such as pollen and dust. It is favorable to have some type of debris exclusion system installed on the gutters. One of several of our more thorough underground filters is required. From the filter, the debris and a small amount of water are piped away from the system while the majority of rainwater is directed into the buried storage tank.



Filter (on right) pipes most of the water into the tank while debris and a small amount of water bypass the system.

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Storage

Rainwater is stored in either one or more free standing tanks or in a single underground tank sized to meet the needs of the location. The advantage of an underground system is that all components are installed out of sight except for a lockable access port at ground level. For standard installations, we use plastic tanks manufactured by Roth/Fralo, Inc. These tanks are relatively light, but are sturdy and can be buried with the top up to three feet below grade. All piping to and from the tank is located below ground. This allows placement of the tank away from the collection site wherever a suitable location exists. Because the plumbing and storage is below ground, most of the seasonal maintenance is eliminated.



1000 gallon tank and 1500 gallon Roth/Fralo, Inc. Underground Tanks connected in tandem.

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Water Retrieval

Three types of pumps are available for use with the system. The first is a standard shallow well jet pump which works best where it can be installed indoors and protected from the weather. A second type of pump is the all-weather stainless steel sprinkler pump. It will allow you to water with a standard hose, but is not recommended for connection to an irrigation system. We also now offer a submersible two stage in-tank pump. These pumps are designed for high volume and high pressure applications and are capable of powering a sprinkler or irrigation system.

For standard tank installations, the pumps are controlled by a float switch in one of the storage tanks that prevents the pump from operating dry. For underground tank systems, the pump comes complete with integrated controls that provide water on-demand and prevent dry running. Additional controls are available that will allow the integration of your RainStay system with a standard irrigation system and will automatically switch to an alternative water supply if your stored water supply is depleted.



Watering with RainStay

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Groundwater Recharge

After a rain event has filled the storage tanks, water is directed to a special drywell. The drywell is made from 85% recycled polypropylene, formed into a structurally strong matrix which is assembled and wrapped tightly in heavy duty landscaping fabric. The drywell is sized to meet the needs of the location and is connected to the storage tanks with pipe. When properly buried, the drywell is invisible, very efficient and can withstand the weight of vehicles above. The drywell also processes water during the winter when underground systems are full and aboveground systems are not in use.



Drywall Unit

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Installation

Installation of a RainStay system generally takes three weeks from start to finish. It includes excavation, electrical and plumbing work, and landscaping or re-seeding as necessary. Often all the work is done by one person using a small loader backhoe and hand tools. The aim is to minimize the disruption to existing landscaping. Excess excavated material can be used on site as fill or will be removed as necessary.

Many times the installation of a rainwater collection system is done in conjunction with other construction. RainStay will work within the framework of a larger construction project, coordinating our activities with your other contractors such as an excavators, landscapers, or irrigation installers.



Once this installed system has been fully tested, the tank acess port will be buried so that only the access port in the garden will be visible.

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