Articles

Rainwater Harvesting in Today’s Modern Homes by Chris Maxwell-Gaines, P.E.
Here is an article I wrote about how rainwater harvesting can apply in our modern homes of today.

Downloads

Sales and Use Tax Exemption form for Water Related Equipment (including rainwater harvesting systems)

Rainwater Harvesting System Rebate Form for the City of Austin water customers – Receive up to $5,000

Rainwater Harvesting System Rebate Form for the City of Sunset Valley water customers – Receive up to $3,500

Monthly Precipitation Probabilities and Quintiles 1971-2000
This document published by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) gives the precipitation probabilities derived from the 1971-2000 normals for over 480 stations in the United States. Data for Austin is on page 48.

The Rainwater Glossary
Here is an A to Z resource of most of the terminology of rainwater harvesting.

Research

Factors of Biological Contamination of Harvested Rainwater for Residential Consumption
A research project that examined the factors affecting the biological contamination of rainwater harvested from the rooftops of single-family residences in Bryan-College Station, Texas. It was conducted to identify the presence of total coliform bacteria and turbidity, and the factors that affect the presence of such contaminants in rainwater collected.
by Ifte Choudhury and Lakshinarasimhan Vasudevan of the Department of Construction Science at Texas A&M University

Urban Rainwater
A research project that studied the issues of urban runoff and the incentive programs to develop rainwater catchments. It compared residential applications of rainwater harvesting systems to the requirements of LEED guidelines.
by Terrence Miller at The Hixon Center for Urban Ecology at The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies

Water Facts and Trends 2005
This report provides a helpful overview for policymakers, media, and individuals interested in what’s happening to the world’s water supply. The report looks at water use in agriculture, industry, and households in different parts of the world, and identifies where stress in the water supply is likely to occur in the coming years.

Potential of Water Harvesting as a Strategic Tool for Drought Mitigation
This paper suggests that large-scale application of water harvesting measures in drought-prone areas may be seen as a strategic tool for drought mitigation, if it is realized through the adoption of relevant policies and investments at different levels such as user, watershed, urban locality, district, state and a country.

Irrigation for a Growing World – Rain Bird
This report covers several areas of water conservation as it relates to irrigation. It discusses different methods available to achieve water conservation but focuess on efficient irrigation system design. It also provides suggestions for the government incentives and educational needs to advance water conservation.

Technical Guidelines:

Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting – 2005
The 3rd edition of the famous guide developed by the Texas Water Development Board which instructs people on the basic principles of capturing rainwater.

Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Indoor Use – January 2007
A technical guide created by TCEQ after the state-appointed rainwater harvesting research committee completed its recommendations.

Magazine Articles focusing on Water:

Outside Magazine August 2003
The world is running short of fresh, clean water, and so are many parts of the United States—and not just in the arid West. The competing demands of homeowners, developers, manufacturers, farmers, fishermen, environmentalists, and recreationalists mean that something has to give, and so far it’s usually been the resource itself. Great rivers like the Rio Grande and the Klamath don’t always make it to the sea anymore, the Everglades continues to lose ground, and portions of the Midwest’s High Plains Aquifer—a huge underground water source that supports almost a third of America’s farm output—are only two decades away from being sucked dry for good. Meanwhile, new pollutants have emerged that can’t be stopped just by closing off a pipe, and everywhere you look our water supply is being compromised by toxic runoff from cities, suburbs, and farms.

Documentaries focusing on Water:

10 Must See Water Documentaries, Part 1
I have compiled a list of 10 documentaries that explore the subject of water scarcity

“Texas: The State of Water – Finding a Balance”
An in-depth, hour-long documentary presented and produced by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The program explores how the demand for our water will grow dramatically in years to come, and weighs the impact that growth will have on the state. The documentary dramatically shows how the steps we take – or do not take – will impact Texas and its people, wildlife and economic vitality for future generations.

PBS Point Of View Documentary entitled “Thrist”
A documentary by Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman examining the issue of water development in the world. Global corporations are rapidly becoming involved with local water supplies, trying to combine private profits with what many feel should be a fundamental right to water access. Looking at tensions in Bolivia, India and Stockton, California, “Thirst” reveals how water is becoming the catalyst for explosive community responses to the management of this precious resource.

Water Privatization Debate
Grist Magazine in partnership with PBS hosted a week-long debate on the merits of water privatization between Peter Cook, executive director of the National Association of Water Companies, and Maude Barlow and Sara Ehrhardt, anti-privatization activists with the Council of Canadians.

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