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Mario Perez Andres
(mperez@u.washington.edu)

Purpose

To encourage water savings at the University of Washington by implementing a rain harvest system.

Benefits and Cost Savings to UW

Potable water saved: 3500 gal of water can be saved each year irrigating a 500 ft2 garden
Water supply: Based on the model's calculations, the system has the capacity to supply up to 15,000 gallons of water per year
Prevention of the spread of invasive plant species: Currently, the site is populated with invasive plant species; a new landscaping can prevent the spread of these invasive plants
Cooling: Effective landscaping can prevent the site from overheating by providing shading
Model for future irrigation systems: System can serve as a model for future sustainable irrigation
Minimal maintenance cost: Given the size and design of the system, it will require practically no maintenance

Analyses and Results

Roof Area: The effective area of the site available for water collection
AMR: Seattle's rainfall is needed to calculate how much rainwater can be collected
ERH: Equation to calculate water budget —15000 possible for our system
Water Need: The amount of water needed for a 500 sq ft garden based on 1 inch of water per sq ft.
Storage capacity: 400 gallons of storage is needed to effectively irrigate a 500 sq ft garden

Implementation

Obtain a rain-harvesting permit
Coordinate with landscape architects for garden design
Delegate labor to students for cost effectiveness
Create a name for the project
Begin building

Indicators

ASHE Indicators include:

Water saved— Measured in CCF's per year
Electricity Savings—Measured in Kilo Watt Hours
Aesthetic Value

Other Resources

Successful Projects

UW Campus
Seattle City Hall
University of Arizona
Texas A&M University

Useful Links

The Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual: the most accepted standard for rain harvesting systems in the United States.

Rainwater Harvesting at the University of Washington
Mario Perez Andres (mperez@u.washington.edu)
sustainability course home rain harvest project report rain harvest project presentation	Purpose To encourage water savings at the University of Washington by implementing a rain harvest system. Benefits and Cost Savings to UW Potable water saved: 3500 gal of water can be saved each year irrigating a 500 ft2 garden Water supply: Based on the model's calculations, the system has the capacity to supply up to 15,000 gallons of water per year Prevention of the spread of invasive plant species: Currently, the site is populated with invasive plant species; a new landscaping can prevent the spread of these invasive plants Cooling: Effective landscaping can prevent the site from overheating by providing shading Model for future irrigation systems: System can serve as a model for future sustainable irrigation Minimal maintenance cost: Given the size and design of the system, it will require practically no maintenance Analyses and Results Roof Area: The effective area of the site available for water collection AMR: Seattle's rainfall is needed to calculate how much rainwater can be collected ERH: Equation to calculate water budget —15000 possible for our system Water Need: The amount of water needed for a 500 sq ft garden based on 1 inch of water per sq ft. Storage capacity: 400 gallons of storage is needed to effectively irrigate a 500 sq ft garden Implementation Obtain a rain-harvesting permit Coordinate with landscape architects for garden design Delegate labor to students for cost effectiveness Create a name for the project Begin building Indicators ASHE Indicators include: Water saved— Measured in CCF's per year Electricity Savings—Measured in Kilo Watt Hours Aesthetic Value Other Resources Successful Projects UW Campus Seattle City Hall University of Arizona Texas A&M University Useful Links The Texas Rainwater Harvesting Manual: the most accepted standard for rain harvesting systems in the United States.