California; Rainwater Harvesting, Sonoma County, Sierra Club

1. Rain barrel installation tips
Online Resources
What you’ll need:
Rain barrel; 2 spigots that will fit into 2 threaded holes
http://ci.santa-
rosa.ca.us/departments/utilities/conserve (1 at the top and 1 at the bottom); aluminum
downspouts; hose with male/female and shutoff fittings;
RAINWATER
http://ci.santa-
rosa.ca.us/departments/utilities/conserve/Page a hacksaw, pencil, and possibly hammer/nails, pliers,
s/ResidentialFAQs.aspx plumber’s tape. There are various optional devices such
http://cityofpetaluma.net/wrcd/waterconservat
ion.html
as: flexible downspouts and landscape pipes, leaf filters,
downspout diverters, etc. HARVESTING
http://www.rainbarrelguide.com/ Installation:
http://www.harvestingrainwater.com/ Prepare ground where the barrel will sit keeping in mind
http://groups.ucanr.org/sonomamg that even small barrels weigh hundreds of pounds when
full. The ground should be flat and level and some
http://www.coolcities.us/
recommend using concrete blocks to place the barrel on
http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/suppliers
and although not necessary, it may be easier to access
.html
the spigot at the bottom (you may also turn the spigot
http://www.oaecwater.org/education/roofwate
so that it’s parallel to the ground.)
r-harvesting
http://www.aprainwaterharvesting.com/index. Estimate where the downspout will need to be cut –
htm check where the top of the rain barrel will sit and leave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGFDlkJOd room for the elbow. (The downspout will need to be
aM secured a few inches above the cut; do now or after
Sierra Club
you’ve cut the downspout.) Cut the downspout with a
Other ways to save water Sonoma Group
hacksaw. Attach the downspout so that it fits into the
Run full loads of dishes and clothes, use low (707) 544-7651
elbow.
flow toilets, disconnect your downspout and http://www.redwood.sierraclub.
divert the rain to your garden (at least 10 ft Attach the hose to the bottom spigot and leave the spigot org/sonoma
from your house), create basins and berms, open; you will regulate the water from the end of the
inspect for plumbing leaks, sweep instead of hose. The top spigot is the overflow valve and some folks
spray, eat vegetables instead of meat attach a hose so that any excess water is directed to an
(especially beef or pork), use SMART drip area that can tolerate more water. Make sure the valve
irrigation, irrigate early or late in the day, turn is open at all times. Take care not to strip the threads on
off water while soaping up and brushing teeth, the barrel. Slide the barrel under the new downspout.
capture cold shower water and use for
irrigation, wrap garden containers with
insulating blankets, plant shade trees,
install permeable pavers,
apply thick mulch, plant
low water vegetation,
dry farm.
July 2009 Photo credit:
Winooski NRCD

2. What is rainwater harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting captures precipitation and Benefits of rainwater harvesting are many. It can multi-barrel system connected together near
uses it as close as possible to where it falls. be used to grow food and may be stored for future the bottom with pvc pipes or hose, a cistern,
Rain may be directed so that it infiltrates the use when it’s most needed; it can decrease utility or a system that pumps water to the
ground (instead of running off) or it may be bills, reduce groundwater demands, improve soil landscape. Costs range from a few dollars to a
collected from an impervious structure and fertility, increase local water resources… And, it’s few thousand dollars. Rainwater catchment
stored for later use. free! Water conservation measures are being systems must be placed on flat, immobile
Catchment implemented by every surfaces (concrete blocks or sand are often
devices may municipality in the county, used) and below the gutter height to allow
include rain so why not do what you can gravity to move the flow of water.
barrels, cisterns and benefit from your own
or storage tanks. Safeguards must be in place for small children
efforts at the same time?
and animals; therefore, all systems should be
Getting started covered. Covers and filters also keep leaves
and other debris and mosquitoes from entering
Why consider collecting rainwater? You may want to begin by estimating your home’s
the system. Also, the type of gutter system is
water needs; both household and landscape.
important as it may have lead soldering or
More than two-thirds of the earth’s surface is Review your past and current water bills noticing
lead-based paints.
covered by water, but only 3% of this fresh how much water was used in the winter vs summer
water supply is considered suitable for drinking months. Typically, household use doesn’t fluctuate Policies and other information
and agriculture. And, much of this freshwater is much. You may then compare your usage to the
The operation and maintenance of rainwater
locked up in frozen glaciers or it is located too volume of rain falling on your house.
harvesting systems is the responsibility of the
deep within the earth to be accessible. Our Calculating rainwater for 29 inches of rain property owner. Most cities require building
supply is renewed mainly through precipitation.  For every square foot of roof, you will collect 0.6
gallons for every inch of rainfall; and plumbing permits along with backflow
A significant amount of rainwater runs off our prevention devices. Municipal inspections
roofs and onto the streets and run-off may also  Size of roof eg 60 ft x 100 ft = 1600 sq ft; typically occur during installation and
flood ditches and rivers. However, reasonably  Average rainfall eg Santa Rosa 29 inches; inspections of backflow prevention systems on
pure rainwater can be collected from roofs. an annual basis. Ensure all applicable policies
 Total gallons from a 1,600 sq ft roof in Santa and codes are being followed and permits are
Captured rainwater for land irrigation is an ideal Rosa:
1600 x 0.6 gals x 29 inches = 27,840 gallons* in order. Other requirements may be
use particularly in Sonoma County where very
necessary and many government bodies are
little to no rain falls over a period of 6 months *5-20% of runoff can be lost due to evaporation, only now drafting guidelines.
or more each year. Santa Rosa’s average wind, overflow of gutters
annual rainfall is 29 inches. Rainwater can help Most cities have water and energy
to improve the health of your gardens, lawns, Determine the size of the catchment system conservation rebate programs and some
and trees because it is considered soft due to and its placement include a rainwater harvesting rebate. They
the lack of minerals and is unlike our surface Many types of systems exist and you’ll want to also supply free water conservation devices
and ground water that takes up these consider their size, composition and components, such as low flow showerheads. Contact your
compounds as it runs through the soil. as well as cost. You may choose a simple rain city’s water conservation or utility department
barrel made from a recycled food barrel, a for more information.