Rainwater Collection All Rainwater ... - Texas A&M Universitytexaswater.tamu.edu/conference/feb05/kniffen.pdf · For Landscape & Wildlife Rainwater Harvesting – ... “Made Between

© Billy Kniffen

Rainwater Harvesting – Capturing Nature’s Best for your Landscape http://texaswater.tamu.edu

© Billy Kniffen© Billy Kniffen

Rainwater Collection Rainwater Collection For Landscape & WildlifeFor Landscape & Wildlife

Rainwater Harvesting Rainwater Harvesting ––Capturing Nature’s Best for your Capturing Nature’s Best for your

LandscapeLandscapeFebruary 26, 2005February 26, 2005

Billy KniffenBilly KniffenTexas Cooperative Extension, Menard CountyTexas Cooperative Extension, Menard County


All Rainwater is ValuableAll Rainwater is Valuable


Cisterns of Early Texans Cisterns of Early Texans -- The only source of water many had The only source of water many had before electricity and well drillersbefore electricity and well drillers


Renewed Interest in Collecting Renewed Interest in Collecting RainwaterRainwater

P Increased Demand for a Decreasing SupplyPEscalating Environmental and Economic CostsPHealth ConcernsPConservation and DroughtPProviding Water to Areas Without WaterPReducing Storm WaterPRainwater=s Purity


Value of rainwater

Makes You Conservation Minded

Low pH 6.0 to 7.0

High quality, pure water –“Made Between Heaven and Earth”


Why Collect RainwaterWhy Collect RainwaterPHave Enough WaterP Cost of WaterP Quality of WaterP It is a Viable Option

© Billy Kniffen



Rainwater Uses:Rainwater Uses:

PAttract and provide water for wildlife, birds and butterflies

PAdd interest, soothing sound and beauty


Rainwater Uses:Rainwater Uses:PSupplement landscape water needsPProvide water for nurseries or special needsP In Home


Passive CollectionPassive CollectionBermsBerms and Basinsand BasinsEvery Raindrop is Every Raindrop is ImportantImportant


WildscapingWildscaping LandscapingLandscaping


Complex Rainwater HarvestingComplex Rainwater Harvesting


How to Collect RainwaterHow to Collect Rainwater

PRoof - tin is best but any will workP .6 gallons per square foot roofP2,000 sq. foot roof X 1" rain = 1,200 gal. waterP1,200 gal. X 20" rainfall per year= 24,000 gal/yr

© Billy Kniffen



Roofs and Collection SurfacesRoofs and Collection Surfaces


The Black Gap and Elephant Mountain The Black Gap and Elephant Mountain WMA GuzzlersWMA Guzzlers

P Built in the 1960's for Big Horn Sheep introduction, Mule Deer, Antelope and other wildlife.


Gutters and Roof WashersGutters and Roof Washers

PGutters - Nothing specialPRoof washers - removes trash, debris & dust


Gutters and DownspoutsGutters and Downspouts


A mouth full or A mouth full or a bucket fulla bucket full


CisternsCisternsWhat is it used for?What is it used for?

PDurable and water tight - materialPSize - where does it go & how much will you

collect and needPCost - $ .30 - 1.25 per gallon collected

© Billy Kniffen



Cisterns are available in many sizes Cisterns are available in many sizes and types of materialand types of material


The Other PartsThe Other PartsP Gate valve and facetsP .434 lb/sq@ Pressure per column ft.P Distribute Water


Screens to Keep Out Trash and Screens to Keep Out Trash and MosquitoesMosquitoes


Water GaugeWater GaugeThe clear plastic hose The clear plastic hose allows water to rise to allows water to rise to the level the water is the level the water is

inside the tankinside the tank


Overflow PipeOverflow PipeThe overflow The overflow

allows water to run allows water to run out of the tank out of the tank when it is full when it is full

rather than backing rather than backing up into the gutterup into the gutter


Pump and Pressure TankPump and Pressure TankShallow well pumpand Pressure tank

© Billy Kniffen



Filters and SanitizersFilters and Sanitizers


Distribute Water to Desired LocationDistribute Water to Desired Location

PDrip irrigationPWater gardenPWildlife and Livestock waterPSprayer tanksPSprinklers, misters & watering with pressureP In home


Water Guzzler on Bamberger Ranch Bird Bath With Dripping Water From Drip Irrigation Emiter

Bird Bath and Landscaping at San Marcos Grade School

Drip Irrigation for Potted Plants Landscape and Gardens



Gutter and Drain

Water Storage Underneath the Greenhouse


Business Independence Business Independence

Dog Kennel Totally Self Sufficient On Rainwater

ConvenientConvenient StoreStore

© Billy Kniffen



WildscapeWildscapeat Schoolat School

1000 gallon collection tank to supply water for bird bath and pond in native landscaped area


Drip Irrigation at Drip Irrigation at SchoolSchool

1000 gallon tank to provide water in drip irrigation system


School ContainerSchool ContainerGardeningGardening


Raised Bed GardeningRaised Bed Gardening


Water FeaturesWater FeaturesRainwater can be used to provide water using floats to keep the water level high enough to run re-circulating pumps


Menard County Ranch HouseMenard County Ranch House9,000 square feet of roof all guttered with drain underground

© Billy Kniffen



Downspouts carry water through 4 inch PVC pipes from the front and back


Water drains into 18,000 gallon rocked collection tank to be used for watering the landscape


My Home and BarnMy Home and Barn4900 sq. foot of roof 4900 sq. foot of roof

4900 x .6 gallons/foot = 4900 x .6 gallons/foot = 2,900 gallons of water per 1” rain2,900 gallons of water per 1” rain


15,000 gallons15,000 gallonsStorage CapacityStorage Capacity


FiltrationFiltration

- 80 Micron Filter- 2 Nylon Filters- UV Light


Costs For The System:Costs For The System:

•• Tanks Tanks -- $900 each = $4,500$900 each = $4,500•• Pump and Pressure Tank Pump and Pressure Tank -- $550$550•• Filter and UV Filter and UV -- $750$750•• Valves, piping Valves, piping -- $200$200•• TOTAL = $6,000 TOTAL = $6,000 •• (Does not include labor or gutters)(Does not include labor or gutters)

© Billy Kniffen



Water UsageWater Usage

•• 35gallons per person per day35gallons per person per day•• 2 people 2 people –– 70 gallons per day70 gallons per day•• 2100 gallons per month2100 gallons per month•• 70 x 365 days = 25,55070 x 365 days = 25,550•• 25,550 / 2,900 = 8.81” per year25,550 / 2,900 = 8.81” per year•• Drought of Record Drought of Record ––

1951 = 7.64”1951 = 7.64”1953 = 9.22”1953 = 9.22”


www.twdb.state.tx.uswww.twdb.state.tx.ushttp://http://tcebookstore.orgtcebookstore.org

www.rainwatercollection.comwww.rainwatercollection.comNew: New: Rainwater Rainwater HarvestingHarvesting –– TCE!TCE!


Trash Can WaterTrash Can Water


Harvest Water For Gardens, Harvest Water For Gardens, Landscape, Wildlife, Pets and PeopleLandscape, Wildlife, Pets and People


Thank You Billy KniffenMenard, Texas 76859325-396-4787e-mail: [email protected]

Rainwater Rainwater –– Capturing Natures Best Capturing Natures Best

Documents

Rainwater Collection All Rainwater ... - Texas A&M Universitytexaswater.tamu.edu/conference/feb05/kniffen.pdf · For Landscape & Wildlife Rainwater Harvesting – ... “Made Between