Rain garden/harvesting systems

[STLPONDS]

Has anyone looked into using aquascapes rainxchange system or a similar system? I really like the idea to help promote myself and to get in on the "Green" bandwagon. I wouldn't say I'm a tree hugger, but I would like to do my part for the future generation.

Around certain parts of my area homeowners can get tax credits for using rain harvesting systems.

[NewHorizon's Land]

Do you have a website so we can check it out?

[STLPONDS]

Do you have a website so we can check it out?

WWW.Rainxchange.com

[NewHorizon's Land]

Thanks STL

[JZap]

I've talked to a couple homebuilders recently and made a point to mention we install gray water systems. Their eyes lit up. I think this concept is great. I wouldn't try to sell it as a huge water feature personally. Although I think it would look great, around here with mostly clay I wonder how well that overflow infiltration would work...what happens if it rains a few days in a row? Does the water feature overflow b/c there no where for it to go? We do a lot of drainage solutions in our hardcape jobs and especially pool jobs. I like the idea of using reclaimed water, but I'm not sold on the whole water feature aspect of it. I just think most people get drainage solutions b/c they NEED one. THey're not always looking to spend the extra $10,000 to make that system a pond.

[Dreams To Designs]

Drainage is an important aspect of any landscape job we do, and Aquacape has taken that to another level with the harvesting of rain water for irrigation or a water feature. They have improved on the rain barrel concept, but also added electrical and mechanical complication. I'd be more inclined to use this as a gray water irrigation system rather than a water feature. There are other manufacturers that are working on similar systems, so this will be an ongoing landscape opportunity.

Typically when any containment system is designed, and overflow outlet should be included for the unusual overwhelming rain even or long term event when the held water is not able to infiltrate into the surrounding soil fast enough. Every job has the opportunity for a drainage aspect, and drainage done correctly is a very profitable endeavor.

Kirk

[JZap]

I couldn't agree more Kirk... I was just talking about this today. I think if you tied in even 2-3 gutters off a larger house the water would overwhelm the system. I think re-using water is great and definately will be a standard in the future. The diagram they have for the rain exchange would be more usefult o me without the water feature, keeping the ground overfloe infiltration, but yet a second overfloe on that to a pop-up or just daylighted for extreme situations. This is an interesting topic.

[Dreams To Designs]

Because Aquascape is a pond building supply company, their direction is always in the way of water features. With this rain exchange system, the use of the gray water for irrigation and even hand watering seems to be the most practical application.

Any time I specify a containment system, be it french drain or an NDS Flo-well, I always include an over flow to open air or a pop-up. Keep an eye on similar systems being debuted by the drainage manufacturers and others looking to take advantage of the green movement. Here, with the price we pay for water, any type of rain harvesting and use is economical feasible and good for the environment.

Kirk

[STLPONDS]

I'm a pond builder so I like the waterfeature aspect of course, but I see all the problems that could arise from a LONG rain fall.

My buddy builds "Rain gardens" for a local nursery that is tied in with some home builders. The problem with these RG is they are mosquito havens.

RG specs at a glance designed by an engineer.
3' deep excavation (basin engineered for the rooftop sqft area.
All downspouts tied into the basin
4" drainpipe surrounding the basin
15" +/- of clean rock
Filter fabric on top of rock
15" +/- sandy loam
3" or so of topsoil
Bog type plants
3" or so of mulch
Area connnects into the sewer drain for overflow

The problem I saw is the landscaper(planters) put down 12" of mulch which immediately clogged the system and with all the rain we had this season it had more mosquitos that I have ever seen. I guess these systems are only used to slow down the water entering the sewer systems that is why they get tax breaks. There is still A LOT to be learned IMO.

[Dreams To Designs]

Keith, I can definitely see the problems with the recipe you have listed. The rate of infiltration is paramount, and that leads to the area that the rain garden needs to be, not necessarily the depth, similar to a retention basin, but attractive. As you have said we have a lot to learn, but we should take our cues from nature. The use of filter fabric has proven to be very detrimental in most situations due to the slowing or virtually halting of water permeability whether through design or silting.

Kirk

[bcwsport]

The thing I see that intrigues me the most about the water feature aspect is the idea of creating moving water for local wild birds + the fact that there are several innovative type leed points that can be obtained. Be neat if it could be run by solar. The green building institute in Jessup, Maryland has a solar operated water feature (sm waterfall and stream) that runs into a gravel bed and has a 5,000 gallon cistern. It is awsome and seems to attract birds, turtles, etc. But, of course, cost is a concern. I live in a relatively populated area wedged between DC/Baltimore. I could imagine grey water systems (just rainwater) on every single townhouse and single family home in the area. now, this would be something. so, cost is a factor. Tax credits are one incentive.

[JZap]

When we use the NDS Flo-well's we try to keep away from putting a grate directly over the flo-well. This helps avoid the mosquitos. Hook up basin drains to piping to the underground well. One customer told me she used some sort of chemical from a pond supplier to get rid of mosquitos. :noidea: kinda defeats the purpose if you're goin to put checmicals into your own groundwater?

[Dreams To Designs]

Most likely the chemical was BT which is an organic, like the mosquito dunks or pellets. Your method of using a basin offset from the top of the Flo-well is better than the grate directly over it, as the basin can be used to trap any sediment and be cleaned out, unlike the grate directly over top which dumps everything right into the Flo-well.

Having the pump run by solar would make the whole system truly green, or run by gravity, like a simple rain barrel, but that would be a tough way to get recirculation.

Kirk

[yardmanlee]

JDL had a little class on rain water harvesting systems. It was kinda intresting, they said alot of new homes being built in states that have bad droughts are required in new home construction w/ irregation systems to install these collection systems