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RESOURCES & RELATED LINKS

Getting Started with Rain barrels  Getting Started with Tanks or Cisterns  Advanced Rainwater Systems  |  Worldwide Information Sites   

Related Topics  - Composting   - Greywater - Organic Gardening  - Permaculture - Rain Chains - Rain Gardens  - River Conservation Organizations - Sustainable Development - Water Conservation - Water Conservation Organizations - Xeriscaping  

SITES & ORGANIZATIONS - we'll be happy to get you listed here and discuss other opportunities for more information
 

Getting Started with Rain Barrels  - The documents below will help you get started.  They focus on easy ways to get started with rain barrels.

What is a Rain Barrel - One page overview of what a rain barrel system is and with pictures of several different styles.

Rainwater Collection Video - A great introduction to installing a rainwater collection barrel; includes a step by step on how to do it instructions, a video and a build list of materials.  

Build a Rain Barrel - Simple, two pages on how to convert a barrel into a rain barrel.  Illustration courtesy of the Covington Water District

How to Make a Rain Barrel - A short tutorial on how to make a rain barrel from a barrel.

Construct a Rain Barrel - Great step by step instructions and parts list on how to make a rain barrel from a barrel.

Green Rainwater - A simple and short lesson on how to build a very attractive rainbarrel to collect rain. Assumes you have a rainbarrel to start with.

Locate a Barrel Near You - Locate a barrel in your area by zip code. These are usually free or low-cost used barrels that the above instructions can be used with to create a low-cost, very attractive rainbarrel to collect rain.

Rainbarrel Maintenance 101 - Like most things around your home, your rainbarrel needs a little regular attention to keep working smoothly. Here are some simple recommendations to keep your barrels clean and healthy.

12 Water Saving Tips - This easy to read 2 page brochure will help you with some quick and easy steps to save water inside and outside your home.

Outdoors Water Saving Tips -  Before moving up to a bigger rainwater collection system, try these easy tips to save water around your home.  It is always a good investment to conserve water.
 

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Getting Started with Tanks and Cisterns - if you're interested in larger scale systems including tanks and pumps... 

Sustainable Building Sourcebook: Rainwater Harvesting -  An in depth information resource on rainwater systems and components.  Some information Austin, TX specific, but a lot of the information can be used in planning systems anywhere.

Specifications of Rain Barrels and Cisterns - General short article on how to build low cost rain barrels.  Developed for developing countries but applicable to anyone who just wants to build a low-cost starter system.

Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting - Great online publication that gives an A to Z overview of rainwater systems.  Some information is specific to Texas , but most of the information is extremely useful to all systems.  

First Flush Device Comparison - Good in depth article on comparison of different first flush methods.  It is written by a provider of a first flush product.

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Advanced Rainwater Systems - Want to read latest research from around the world or understand the math.  This section is for you.  

Gutter Design for Rainwater Harvesting - If you are interested in designing your own gutters or understanding the math behind gutters, this is the article for you.  The article has some general information pertaining to Uganda , but overall a very in depth article on gutters.

Harvesting Rainwater for Landscape Use - An Arizona Department of Water Resources publication.  It covers from simple to complex system with specific examples and data for Arizona.  The manual includes rainfall data for Phoenix and Tucson and a section on calculating water needs.

National Sanitation Foundation Protocol P151 - This NSF webpage listing the health effects from Rainwater Catchment components. It allows you to search by vendor or product category.

Rainwater Harvesting in Rural Areas - This website/paper outlines the use of rainwater harvesting for drinking purposes and agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions like the Brazilian Semi-Arid Tropics.

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Worldwide Information Sites - These sites and sample installations should give you plenty of ideas of what's possible.

The Brethren of Cisterns - A short article, Texas specific, on the history of cisterns in the area.  

Guidelines for Harvesting Rainwater in Hawaii - An in depth article, including examples, of rainwater systems in Hawaii.  

Guidance on the Use of Rainwater Tanks (Australia) - General article that covers the high level details of the use of rainwater tanks with information that is specific to Australia.

Rainwater Harvesting for Montana - If you are from Montana and interested in Catchment systems, this is the article for you.  Covers the system basics and points you to courses at   Montana State University.

Rainwater Harvesting from ToolBase Services - Short overview article on rainwater harvesting, but features an excellent case study from Santa Fe, NM.

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices - This report provides information to cities, counties, states, private-sector developers and others on the costs and benefits of using Low Impact Development (LID) strategies and practices to help protect and restore water quality. Report includes rainbarrels and cisterns as one way to reduce stormwater runoff.

SearNet - Southern and East Africa Rainwater Network website containing useful links to projects within the member countries as well as general information links and stories.

The Family Cistern: 3,000 Years of Household Water Collection in Jordan - Rainwater collection is not new and this article shares a historic perspective to this seemingly modern problem.

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Related Links - Links to other sustainable life topics...

- Composting   - Greywater - Organic Gardening  - Permaculture - Rain Chains
- Rain Gardens  - Sus
tainable Development - Water Conservation - Xeriscaping 
 

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Composting

Composters.com - An online composters supply shop

Master Composters - An online site dedicated to composting with loads of information and useful links.

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Greywater

Environsink - An environmentally helpful secondary sink that utilizes all standard plumbing fittings to recycle water right from your sink.

Greywater - A site dedicated to information and education on greywater systems.  

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Organic Gardening

Avant-Gardening - "You can grow" using gardening as a medium for creative expression and spiritual growth. Extensive sustainable organic gardening information, workshops, monthly newsletter, formal tea gardens, virtual tours, links/resources and more!  

HDRA - A UK-based organization that researches and publishes the latest research dealing with organic gardens.  

Organic Gardening Magazine - Magazine and website covering all the aspects of organic gardening.  Site also has an online community for posting questions.

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Permaculture

Permaculture Activist Magazine - North America's leading and the world's longest-lived permaculture periodical you'll find information about permaculture design, edible landscaping, bioregionalism, ecovillage design, aquaculture, natural building, earthworks, forestry, soils, agriculture, urban sustainability, renewable energy, regeneration & restoration, and many practical solutions. life

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Rain Chains

Quality Rain Chains - A good supply of rain chains, an alternative to gutter downspouts.

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Rain Gardens 

Rain Gardens - Site with two well written overviews on rain gardens and useful links to other related sites.  

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River and Groundwater Conservation Organizations  

Surfacewater and ground water are directly related and extremely critical to both our quantity and quality of US water. The following organizations are dedicated to preserving these precious and periled resources.

American Rivers
1025 Vermont Ave. NW Suite 720
Washington, DC 20005

Black Mesa Recovery Campaign
P.O. Box 1925
Flagstaff, AZ 86002

Charles River Watershed Association
2391 Commonwealth
Newton, MA 02166

Ipswich River Watershed Association
240 County Road, P.O. Box 576
Ipswich, MA 01938

Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation
P.O. Box 1
Mecosta, MI 49332

New Mexico Watershed Working Groups

Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
26 E. Exchange Street, Suite 206
St. Paul, MN 55101-1667

San Macros River Foundation
P.O. Box 1393
San Marcos, TX 78667

Save America's Water
P.O. Box 573
Shawano, WI 54166

Save Our Springs, Inc
P.O. Box 174
Crystal Springs, FL 33524

The Grand Canyon Trust
2601 N. Fort Valley Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001

The Nature Conservancy
1510 E. Ft. Lowell Road
Tuscon, AZ 85719

The Nature Conservancy - Cosumnes River
13501 Franklin Blvd.
Galt, CA 95632

The Nature Conservancy - Apalachicola River
P.O. Box 876
Apalachicola, FL 32329-0876

Waterkeepters of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 66
Briggsville, WI 53920

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Sustainable Development

City Trees – Sustainability Guidelines and Best Practices Guide for Urban Areas in pdf format

EarthToys - Alternative and Renewable Energy News, Emagazine and News.

Eco-Portal - An information gateway empowering the movement for environmental sustainability.

EcoSchool - Design - A web site that seeks to assist schools, and those who care about them, in transforming paved schoolyards into vibrant ecosystems for outdoor learning.

Frugal Country Living - Don't just dream about it - live the life of your dreams! A website full of creative living ideas, to help you live the good life - on the income you already have!

GreenHomeBuilding - A website featuring information on solar heating, renewable energy, water conservation, recycled materials and natural buildings.

Greenmatters - Quick access to tools, solutions, and examples that simplify the busy person's commitment to green living, e-activism and responsible consumerism.

Permaculture Institute - Learning Center for Practical Sustainability Skills. We teach dryland permaculture, beekeeping, watershed management, rainwater harvesting and natural building, with focus in Southwest and New Mexico.

Renewables and Efficiency Website - A US database of state, local and federal incentives for renewable energy.

SaveTheEnvironment - A directory site with links to others sites on air, land and water.

TheGreenDirectory - Your guide to eco-friendly products and service around Australia.

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Water Conservation 

Clean Water Act - The primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the symbolic goals of eliminating releases to water of toxic amounts of toxic substances,

Earth Works Institute - A non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the integrity of the natural environment by developing and promoting models of natural systems to create sustainable, self sufficient communities.

Evaluation and Cost Benefit Analysis of Municipal Water Conservation Programs - A report published that evaluates the cost/benefits of various water conservation devices.

Global Water Futures - A report published in 2005 by The Center for Strategic and International Studies and Sandia National Labs on the current state of water around the global, with recommendations on what the U.S. can do to help solve the problem. The report is the output of the CSIS-SNL Global Water Futures Conference 2005.

Lifewater International - Lifewater International equips partner organizations and works with them to empower communities in developing countries to gain safe water, adequate sanitation, and effective hygiene.

Residential Water Conservation - A site dedicated to water conservation. It has a section of the site with helpful information on conversing water with topics like: Why Should we Conserve? Conserving Water at Home. Water Tips and Tools.   There is a very small overview of Rainwater Harvesting in the Tips and Tools section.

United Nations Report on Water - If you wonder why you are thinking about a rainwater catchment system and need a little inspiration, read this report on the world's water condition and it should get you moving.  This site has a very wide variety of water related articles.

Water - Use it Wisely - A site that includes a water audit tool to help you determine how much water you really use.

Before You Harvest - Conserve - An article listing nearly a 100 ways to save water, both inside and outside the house.

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Water Conservation and Reuse - Non-Profit Organizations

EPA WaterSense Program - The Environmental Protection Agency's voluntary program promoting water efficient appliances.

Global Water Partnership - The Global Water Partnership is a working partnership among all those involved in water management: government agencies, public institutions, private companies, professional organizations, multilateral development agencies and others committed to the principles initiated at the Dublin Conference on Water and the Environment in 1992.

Natural Resources Defense Council - One of the most effective environmental organization in the U.S. working to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places, including clean water.

Save the Rain - A 501 (c) (3) non profit organization that teaches people water starved areas to catch, store, clean and use the Rain as a sustainable water supply.

The Ocean Conservancy - Advocates for wild, and healthy oceans. The Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup is the largest and most successful volunteer event of its kind.

WaterAid - An international charity dedicated to helping people escape the stranglehold of poverty and disease caused by living without safe water and sanitation.

WaterKeeper Alliance - A non-profit organization whose mission is that of a citizen watchdog for water resources. A WaterKeeper is a local full-time paid advocate responsible for keeping local waterways clean. The national organization provides a national and international voice for education, litigation and research, analysis and review of water-related issues.

WaterReuse - A non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination.

World Water Center - A non-profit organization whose function is to act as a clearinghouse for information related to water projects and activities on a worldwide basis and to provide a best practices rating system.

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Xeriscape 

Landscape Water Conservation - A general overview of Xeriscape with specific recommendations for Texas.

Water Efficient Landscaping - A very good brochure of what Xeriscaping is with excellent pictures and graphics.  

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WHAT'S NEW

August 25, 2008

Australia desal and water tank wars >> more

New Virtual Water Study attempts to measure water foot print >> more

Penn State Public Broadcasting Documentary on Nation’s Deteriorating Water Infrastructure >> more

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City enacts strongest water restriction ever >> more

Spain may be a glimpse into our conservaton future >> more

Water starved CA slows development >> more

Back to the future: Rainwater harvesting >> more

Home system collects rainwater >> more

Alta, Utah sees 25% rate rate r >> more

Homes sought for greywater study >> more

It's Time to Talk about Peak Water >> more

Energy is Water >> more

Peak Water: Aquifers and Rivers Are Running Dry >> more

New Book Review Posted: Water Follies

Vermont lawmakers told of coming water crises >> more

IPCC warns of declining water supplies due to climate change >> more

Colorado Maybe Coming into 21st Century on Rainwater Catchment >> more

Hotter and Drier: The West's Changed Climate >> more

Ground Water Report to the Nation >> more

Support Water Conservation and Win a Prius >> more

Scripps News - Lake Mead Could Be Dry by 2021. >> more

City of Raleigh moves to Stage 2 to save water. >> more

Panelists Agree - We need an Al Gore for Water Davos 2008 covers water on several major panel sessions. Check out some of the highlights. >> more

Polymers are Forever - Alarming tales of a most prevalent and problematic substance. >>more

Flow - A documentary condemns water profiteering, calling for a UN resolution to make access to clean drinking water a human right >>more

South Florida Adopts One-Day-a-Week Watering. Order represents the most stringent landscape irrigation measuress ever imposed >>more

Reducing Stormwater Costs through Low Impact Development (LID) Strategies and Practices to the Resource section. >>more

City Trees – Sustainability Guidelines and Best Practices in the Resource Section. >>more

36 States Face Water Shortages within 5 Years>>more

Is the West Going Dry?>>more

Govt to Close Water Loophole for the Rich >>more

Companies asked to Conserve >>more

Wasting water in Santa Fe is never in season >>more

Several key new items added to site:

Virginia RWH Manual

RWH Overview Presentation from Florida Keys GLEE

Herald Tribune - Barrels conserve water and money >>more

BBC News - "Humans Affect Global Rainfall" >>more

Wyoming Tribune-Eagle - City saving 1 million gallons daily >>more

Rainwater to fill public pool >>more

Nominate a Water Leader >>more

Another city adopts rebate for fake grass approach, pioneered by Las Vegas >>more

Water Scarcity Will Change How We Live and Work - Get used to living with less waterar >>more

New toilet fixture can save upto 5,000 gallons per year.>> more

Jail time possible for watering. >> more

Lake Mead could go dry in 10 years at current water usage rates. >> more



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FAQS

1. How do you harvest rainwater?
2. Where do you get the water?
3. What is the best way of harvesting rain?
4. Why should I harvest rainwater?
5. Do I need pumps to harvest rainwater?
6. Can I use drip irrigation or soaker hoses with a rainwater?
7. How big a yard can I water?
8. How big are rain barrels?
9. I want more pressure, how should I raise it?
10. Can I water my grass with rainwater?

and many more>>


 


 

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