Rainwater

Sarah Mauel

Over the last few years, the Red River Valley has had its fare share of floods.
Every spring flooding becomes a major concern for the people of the valley.
According to Joseph Littbarski, (nd) the climate of the Red River Valley goes
through cycles of wet and dry periods. Currently the valley is in the wet cycle.
Ed Steadman quoted in Littbarski article states “in spite of the devastating
effect of reoccurring floods in recent history, a long-term drought will be far
more catastrophic to our region.” The residents of the Fargo area ought to
start thinking about rainwater collection. The collection will not only help
conserve water, but it will also reduce the amount of flooding on a small scale.
The collection of rainwater on a large scale will help the Fargo area get ready for
the dry cycles in the future. I will first talk about the benefits that rainwater
collection has. Then I will tell you about the different storage options and what
options are best for the Fargo area. Closing I will tell you why it is important to
collect rainwater.
Benefits
According to” Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting” (nd) from Urban Garden Solution,
rainwater collection benefits the environment and homeowners pocketbook. I have
selected a nine reasons why the Fargo area should collect rainwater.

•Free- Collecting rainwater has no cost

•Happier Plants- Rainwater is free of chlorine, fluoride and other minerals that are
added to municipal water.
•Reduce Urban Flooding- “Helps mitigate urban flooding by reduced storm
drainage load and flooding of the city streets during heavy downpours.”
•Improve Groundwater Quality and Water Quality of our Lakes, Rivers and
Oceans- “By reducing the amount of runoff to the street helps prevent pesticides,
fertilizers and oil residues for our cars making its way into the drains that lead to
our river and oceans.”
•Water Independence- By capture your own water you are able to do what you want
with that water.
•Lower Water Cost- in the US water is about $1.50 for every 1000 gallons. Today
that is cheap, but water prices are expected to rise. In collecting your own water can
lower the demand for local water and keep the price low. Incentives like tax credits
and lowering water bills for drainage fees and rebates may be found if you install a
rainwater harvesting system.
•Flexibility – there is a wide range of options for rainwater storage in the color, and
sizes.
•Less Demand- You will have a less demand on the local municipal water supply.
•Sustainable Living- Cost a lot of energy to transport water to our homes. In using
rainwater collected less municipal water will be used.
Rain Barrels and Systems: Small Scale
Figure 1 Plastic Rain barrel
Stated in Harvest
the Rain (nd), rain
barrels are the simplest
rainwater device. Rain
barrels are a great
option for beginner
rainwater collector,
or for people just
wanting to collect a
small amount of water.
Barrels are mostly
made from plastic,
(Figure 1) but they
can be made from
other materials like
polyester. In looking at
simplyrainbarrels.com I
found that rain barrels
comes in a variety of
Figure 2 Painted Rain barrel
shapes, styles and sizes
that can be incorporated
into anyone yard. The
barrels can hold anywhere
from 50 to 300 gallons
of water. The price can
range from about $110 to
as much as $1,000. If you
are the more do it yourself
person making your own
rain barrel is also a great
option. In looking at
Garden Web blogs, I found
that people have used trash
cans, food grade barrels
from soft drink companies
and some have just used
buckets. These make shift
rain barrels are cheaper
Figure 3 Rain Tank System
than the manufactured rain barrels.
These can be easily painted to add
a personal touch to anyone’s yard
shown in figure 2.
Another option is rain tank system.
(Figure 3). These tanks are similar
to rain barrels except that they
incorporate a pump for quick and
easy water distribution. The tanks
are made from Polymer Alloy which
adds durability and UV protection
to the tank. The sizes can range
from 250 to 2,400 gallons or more.
These tanks are extremely durable
and are made to be outdoors. These
can either be above or below ground
and can run anywhere from $1,800
to $2,600. (simplyrainbarrels.com)
Either of these tanks are a great
options to add to your yard to collect
rainwater.
 Storage Types: about different storage solutions listed below are
Large scale some of the different storage solutions that he
listed in his article that could work in the Fargo
area.

•Fiberglass- light-weight, reasonably priced and

long lasting. Sizes range from 50 gallon barrels
15,000 gallon tanks. Vertical cylinder and low-
horizontal are available. These tanks have been
proven to be last for years and can be easily
repaired.
•Polyethylene- Is the most common type of tank
being used. They can be found at most farm, ranch
supply and large landscape retailers. They come
in many shape, color and size ranging from 50 to
10,000 gallons tank. This tank can be either above
or below ground. These tanks are inexpensive and
lightweight and long lasting. Shown in figure 6.
Figure 4 Metal Solution •Wood- are used for aesthetic appeal. Similar
Pushard’s (nd) article lays out seven options when it to water towers at railroad depots. The tanks are
comes to storing rainwater. There are many options made from pine, cedar or cypress wrapped with
that can fit anyone budget or any amount of rainfall. steel tension cables. The tank is lined with plastic
It is very important to pick a storage option that
works for the area that you live in. When picking
out the size of the tank or the cistern there are a
few things that need to be taken into consideration;
the amount of local rainfall, the length of dry spell,
aesthetics and the catchment surface area. The tanks
can be either is above the ground or below, this is
determined by the soil, outside temperature range
and the cost. The Fargo area should use an above
ground tank because of the clay soil that expands and
contracts throughout the year. The follow tanks are
used for more large scale water collection compared
to the rain barrels and are more expensive . Pushard
also gives details
Figure 5 Wood Solution
 under a patio or a basement.
These are considered permanent.
Underground concrete tanks are
prone to cracking and leaking,
especially in clay soil.
•Stone and Mason- Not as
common anymore. It keeps water
cool in hot climates and are very
attractive. Theses taken need to be
taken care of so that toxic materials
Figure 6 Polyethylene Solution
don’t mix with the water.
•Plastered Tire Cistern- hand-
to increase the longevity. Redwood tanks are resistant to insects made tanks. The tank is made
and decay and are a good insulator to keep water cool in the from a circle of buried tires with
summer and protects water from freezing in the water. Redwood wire mesh inside covered with
is very expensive so pine is commonly used. Wood tanks sizes vary plaster. This tank will need periodic
from 700- 37,000 gallon tanks. These tanks are built by skilled maintenance to repair cracks on
technicians and are placed above ground and should not be used in the inside. These buried tanks are
dry and hot climates. Shown in figure 5. very economical if they are 10,000+
•Metal- These tanks are made from corrugated galvanized steel gallons. These tanks become part of
ranging in size from 150-2,500 gallon tank. These tanks are the home and can prevent cooling
lightweight and easy to relocate. This tank is above ground use. The in hot climates. In cooler climates
tanks should be lined with food grade liner like polyethylene or the top side should be insulated to
PVC or epoxy paint. This will extend the life of the metal. Shown in prevent cooling. These tanks are
figure 4. custom built so they can be any size
•Concrete- are versatile tank. They can be poured in place or and shape. If properly constructed
prefabricated. Above or below ground. Can be very attractive and and maintained, will last for
easily integrated into new construction. They can be placed decades.
Real World comments
Hot or Not? Rainwater collection systems
On Toolmonger blog people answered the question
Hot or Not? Rainwater Collection System ? Listed
below are what people said is Hot about rain water
collection systems.
Hot. I live in the Midwest, and we get more than
our fair share of water (especially last year when
we had flooding), but the summer months get kind
of lean and I have a garden. Why not use the spring
rain for summer watering? Kurt Schwind January
15, 2009
Hot. Why spray treated water meant for drinking
on your lawn. Greg Smith January 15, 2009
The Midwest might be a better fit for these, since
you get summer storms that could fill up your
barrels in an afternoon, thus giving you several
convenient refills during the dry season. Jonno
January 15, 2009
Hot. I wouldn’t buy one but have a free source
of plastic 55 gallon barrels. Put it up on a couple
landscape blocks for some elevation and run the
hose to the garden. Open the tap let it trickle in
there. Easy. Jeff January 15, 2009 If you know any
farmers outside the city a bit, they usually have a
number of barrels that their herbicide comes in.
Just make sure you clean them out really well or
the first few barrels might not help your plants
grow.
What other people have said
The following comments are responses to
Dana Healer question on a Garden Web
blog: “I need very cheap ideas for rain water
collection and please share your experience. I
want to reduce the amount of city water I use
to water my garden; it is mostly edibles so
grey water is out. Any ideas?”
Dtkaty: I have 3, 40 gal trash can with
wheels that I set out when it starts pouring
rain. So far, these have worked great.
Belgianpup: A quick and cheap way to catch
water (esp for emergency drinking water) is
to suspend a clean new plastic tarp between
two poles set in the ground (tall fence post
work fine).Set a clean garbage can nearby,
and let the water run from the angled tarp
into the can. Lining the can with a food grade
plastic bag would be preferable. Sue
Mid tn mama: We got our food grade barrels
free from a soft drink bottling company. Had
to clean out all of the syrup first. We built
frames so they sit about a foot off the ground
and thereby have gravity to feed water to
soaker hoses in the garden quite a distance
away.
After researching rainwater collection, I think that it’s not only a good idea
for the Fargo area, but for everyone to collect water because of 5 reasons.
•Collecting rainwater is free
•Lowering your sewer water bill
•Reducing urban flooding
•Contributing to a sustainable lifestyle
•Building and installing is easy
I am not saying go out and buy the biggest and most expensive system right
away. Starting out with a rain barrel is an inexpensive way to start conserving
water. If you find that you like using the rain barrels and you need more
storage; go out and buy a larger system that fits your water needs.

A rain barrel might seem like a small drop in a large river, but if thousands of
homeowners in the Fargo area collect rainwater it will make a big splash in
our fight against water.
 Littbarski, J. (n.d.). HarvestH2O.com :: The Online Rainwater Harvesting Community. The Rainwater Harvesting Community

Sources :HarvestH2O.com. Retrieved March 5, 2010, from http://www.harvesth2o.com/climateswing.shtml

Benefits of Rain Water Harvesting - Urban Garden Solutions. (n.d.). Urban Garden Solutions-Organic gardening supplies &
solutions for small space, eco-conscious city gardener! Raised garden beds, compost bins, organic seeds & fertilizers, hydro-
ponics, indoor gardening, grow lights, rain barrels, seed starting supplies, gr. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from http://www.
urbangardensolutions.com/Benefits-of-Rain-Water-Harvesting-a/155.htm

(2003). Harvest the Rain. Mother Earth News, (199), 42. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Rain Barrels & Rain Water Tanks On Sale and Shipped Quickly. (n.d.). Rain Barrels & Rain Water Tanks On Sale and Shipped
Quickly. Retrieved March 8, 2010, from http://www.simplyrainbarrels.co

Pushard, D. (n.d.). Rainwater Harvesting: Comparing Storage Solutions :: HarvestH2o.com. The Rainwater Harvesting Com-
munity :: HarvestH2O.com. Retrieved February 26, 2010, from http://www.harvesth2o.com/rainwaterstorage.shtml#top

logic, t., & shouldn&. (n.d.). Toolmonger » Blog Archive » Hot or Not? Rainwater Collection System. Toolmonger . Retrieved
March 11, 2010, from http://toolmonger.com/2009/01/15/hot-or-not-rainwater-collection-system/

Background Image: net_efekt's, . (Photographer). (2008). Water drops on flower petal. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.
flickr.com/photos/wheatfields/2603752554/

Title page image: Pocztarski, J. (Photographer). (2008). It's raining .... [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/j-
pocztarski/2302572780/

Image 1: grifray's, . (Photographer). (2007). Rain barrel. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/gri-
fray/499650995/

Image 2: srqpix's. (Photographer). (2008). Rain barrel. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/
crobj/4039215689/

Image 3: swanksalot's, . (Photographer). (2007). Rain collector. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/swank-
salot/490843906/

Image 4: Pengo, . (Photographer). (2006). Ceres rainwater tank 2 pengo.jpg. [Web]. Retrieved from http://commons.wikime-
dia.org/wiki/File:Ceres_rainwater_tank_2_Pengo.jpg

Image 5: fireballsedai's, . (Photographer). (2008). Hot tub, filled by said rain barrels. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.
com/photos/74618946@N00/2631434601

Image 6: ciraud, p. (Photographer). (1970). Cuves polyethylène rotomoulées 200 à 10000 litres ciraud 1970. [Web]. Retrieved
from http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cuves_polyethyl%C3%A8ne_rotomoul%C3%A9es_200_%C3%A0_10000_li-
tres_Ciraud.jpg

Water glass image: mapper-montag, . (Photographer). (2007). Fun with water, flashes and a fresnel lens (205). [Web]. Re-
trieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/mapper-montag/1702189647