Matt Reed - Whiz-Q Stone and RainXchange rain havesting systems

On Tuesday July 26th Matt Reed of Whiz-Q Stone spoke to us about rain water harvesting systems.

Matt provided a presentation based on the Rainxchange system by Aquascape that they sell through Whiz-Q Stone.

We discussed the supply and demand issues of water that will only continue to get worse:

• Limited supply of fresh water
• Demand outpacing supply
• Water restrictions
• Water conservation is the solution

Matt explained how The City of Frisco's water infrastructure is no longer able to support their residents.  The city has outgrown its ability to regenerate their water supply.

We discussed areas in the US where local codes have incorporated rainwater harvesting measures:

• In Tuscon, AZ properties must now provide 50% of their landscape irrigation from harvested rainwater.
• In Sante Fe, NM, houses over 2,500 s.f. must have a rainwater harvesting system.
• Texas House Bill HB645 prevents HOA's from prohibiting rainwater harvesting.
• New State buildings in Texas over 50K s.f. are required to have rainwater harvesting systems.

 Rainwater harvesting sytems take many forms from simple above ground plastic barrels to huge underground matrix systems that can hold millions of gallons of water.

 A typical above ground system costs about $0.50/gallon to install where underground systems caost between $3.00-$5.00/gallon for large matrix systems.

 These systems allow for stormwater control, carwashing, irrigation, swimming pool top-off and in some locations toilet flushing and laundry.

Most systems collect rainwater from a building's roof but can also allow harvest stormwater run-off on grade using a permeable hardsurface paving or capturing the condensate water from a HVAC system.  A typical HVAC system will generate about 10 gallons of water per ton per day.

 Most systems are fitted with what's called a first-flush filter to exclude debris that may have accumulated on the roof area being harvested.  Systems also need to include an overflow infiltration zone or bio-swale that is about 10% of the harvesting system size.  Because rainwater has a naturally low pH plastic piping is specified because Low pH water will corrode copper piping.

 The underground matrix systems will also have access to allow for the removale of sediments that collect in the bottom.

 Whiz-Q offers classes for home owners and contractors to learn how to install the Rainxchange systems.

 Rainwater harvesting systems are currently tax exempt in the state of Texas.

 Rainxchange's website also has a very helpful system size calculator.

For more information and how-to videos check out the following links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=Aq80GNf2Fmw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SRETkKpkNg&feature=player_detailpage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qzU9-P951Vo