Enjoyable truth: Seattle, a metropolis synonymous with rain, averages 37 inches of precipitation a yr. However, based on the Nationwide Climate Service, Atlanta acquired a little bit greater than 66 inches of rainfall in 2021, and its 30-year rainfall common is shy of fifty inches. I do know that’s exhausting to imagine, nevertheless it’s true.

Regardless of the attention-grabbing metropolis comparability, while you get all the way down to it, our metropolis has had its justifiable share of struggles with

drought and water use restrictions over time.

Rainwater harvesting is one time-tested means to assist scale back irrigation calls for out of your industrial panorama. And whereas it’s undoubtedly a sustainable stormwater administration answer, we nonetheless hear the query: “Will a rainwater harvesting system scale back our water invoice?”

Let’s take a more in-depth have a look at rainwater harvesting to know the way it makes eco sense and if it makes fiscal sense.

What Is Rainwater Harvesting?

As its title implies, rainwater harvesting is about capturing and storing rainwater from roofs, downspouts, and floor runoff. HVAC condensation may also be looped in with this group. This water can then be used for panorama irrigation.

Since many municipalities all through Georgia require developments to have some type of a industrial stormwater administration plan in place, rainwater harvesting is proving itself as a viable a part of that plan, particularly with the price of water persevering with to climb.

What Is A Cistern?

A cistern is one instance of an efficient rainwater assortment system HighGrove has put in on industrial properties. Cisterns are massive assortment tanks put in on the property, both aboveground or underground.

If floor house is offered in your web site, an aboveground cistern is likely to be an choice for you because it doesn’t require excavation. And the truth that it’s seen reveals the general public how eco-minded you and your facility are.

Underground cisterns, which require excavation, are a preferred choice for industrial properties. Putting in an underground cistern opens property managers as much as quite a lot of tank dimension choices as they take away house limitations from the equation. Going beneath floor additionally retains the tank shielded from harsh climate.

For both choice, as soon as the water is collected and saved, these lined tanks — with correct upkeep — do a superb job of stopping contamination, algae, evaporation, and mosquito breeding.

10 Advantages Of A Rainwater Harvesting System

When pulling this listing of rainwater harvesting advantages collectively, I used to be reminded of simply how

many there are. However, after all, by putting in a harvesting system as a part of your industrial stormwater administration plan, you’ll discover the advantages go effectively past decreasing water utilization and saving cash — however we all know that’s essential, too.

You in all probability know that the majority water used in your industrial property is non-potable. By accumulating rainwater, you’ll have the ability to irrigate your panorama with a brand new, cleaner supply of water. Listed here are 9 extra advantages of rainwater harvesting:

1. By accumulating stormwater runoff, flooding and erosion are additionally decreased.

2. Rainwater is freed from salt, acids, minerals, and pollution. Salt is dangerous to root progress.

3. Rainwater isn’t exhausting like groundwater, making it much less corrosive and damaging to the system that comprises and redistributes it.

4. Storage of rainwater can be utilized in instances of drought.

5. Gathering stormwater reduces the demand on native water provide.

6. Your property will promote water consciousness to tenants, neighbors, and metropolis corridor (hopefully, it would catch on).

7. As groundwater assets decline and the price of water will increase, accumulating and utilizing rainwater is free.

8. Utilizing harvested rainwater appropriately and effectively may also help scale back your property’s water invoice. It might probably additionally scale back the vitality use required for water pumping and remedy.

9. A rainwater harvesting system could qualify you for tax incentives. It might probably additionally allow you to earn LEED certification credit score for decreased water consumption.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Rainwater Harvesting Methods?

Trying again on the ten advantages I simply listed, it’s exhausting to disclaim the helpful affect rainwater reclamation can have on the setting — your property included. That stated, listed here are 4 components property managers will need to consider when deciding whether or not or not accumulating rainwater is appropriate to your industrial web site.

1. Preliminary prices, together with set up, could also be vital and rely upon the harvesting system’s dimension, complexity, and if it’s going above or beneath floor.

2. Like photo voltaic panels, preliminary offsetting prices rely upon cooperating climate (on this case, rainfall). Nevertheless, the gathering of HVAC condensation is a little more reliable.

3. Relying in your roof sort, roofing could have a coating containing dangerous chemical substances or a build-up of animal droppings that may contaminate clear harvested water.

4. Routine upkeep is required to make sure issues are operating the best way they need to be. If common upkeep will not be connconsistentllected, rainwater might turn into polluted by algae progress and pests — rodents, mosquitoes, bugs.

5. Relying on the dimensions of the gathering tank put in, you might not have the ability to gather all of the rainwater you’d prefer to, particularly throughout a heavy downpour.

Might Your Industrial Property Profit From Rainwater Assortment?

Save water; get monetary savings. It may be that easy. Ultimately, how a lot cash you save by way of rainwater reclamation all comes down to those three issues: skilled set up, right use, and routine upkeep.

Are you a property supervisor interested by decreasing water consumption? And would you prefer to have a plan in place that makes your irrigation wants much less weak to restrictions and extra unbiased of native regulators?

In that case, give HighGrove Companions a name at 678-298-0550 or use our easy contact kind to arrange a gathering with our stormwater administration workforce.

Final modified: February 4, 2022