Blog on practical insights on rainwater systems, stormwater management, and water reuse

Rainwater vs. Well Water: What's the difference? When considering alternative water sources, two of the most common options are rainwater harvesting and well water. While both can provide independence from municipal systems, they differ significantly in water quality, reliability, environmental impact, and long-term costs. Water Quality and Composition Rainwater is naturally soft, meaning it contains very low levels of dissolved minerals. This can be beneficial for plumbing s

How much rainwater you can collect and what to use it for. Rainwater collection equation 1" of rain on 1,000 sq ft. = 600 gallons collected The average individual uses anywhere from 60 to 80 gallons of water a day. However, more than 50% of indoor water use is for non-potable purposes such as flushing toilets and washing machines. So...why do we use treated water pumped from off-site to flush toilets?   What can I use rainwater for? Use  rainwater  for non-potable uses like 

Why collect rainwater? 7 benefits of rainwater collection. Problems of Water All over the country there are issues and risks surrounding water. Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces increases the risk of environmental degradation, damage to buildings and infrastructure from flooding, and creating headaches for people dealing with drainage issues. Harvesting and managing the rainwater that falls on impervious surfaces on-site can be a solution for many of the water issues

The Front Feature: A new way to think about rain By Jenna Millikan October 17, 2023 Read the full article here If you live in Bellingham, you’re no stranger to rain. For many, it means grabbing an umbrella on their way outside, but for Whatcom residents like John Heptonstall, it provides water to their homes. When Heptonstall moved outside the city limits for water, he couldn’t use the water supply most residents use. He switched to harvesting rainwater out of necessity. Now,

Elysian Brewery Stormwater Solution: Turning a Constraint into an Opportunity Published: February 15, 2016 Location:  Georgetown, Seattle, WA Installed By:  Northwest Rain Solutions, LLC As urban spaces continue to develop, managing stormwater effectively becomes both more challenging and more critical. A great example of this is the work completed for Elysian Brewery in Georgetown, Seattle—where limited space required a creative, efficient solution. The Challenge Elysian Bre

From Backyard Swamp to Functional Landscape The Problem What was once a lawn had turned into a backyard swamp. The property sat at a low point, collecting surface water not only from its own yard but also from neighboring properties on both sides. With nowhere for the water to go, the lawn remained saturated, muddy, and unusable for much of the year. For the homeowners, this wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a daily challenge. With five children and three dogs, having a fun

Use the Rain, Reduce Runoff in Whatcom County If you live in Whatcom County there must be some small part of you that likes wearing perpetually wet shoes and the challenge of walking to your car after work without an umbrella. Not unlike our coffee, beer and sword ferns, the Pacific Northwest rain is plentiful. Much of it, however, immediately turns into stormwater runoff, which carries pollutants into our local waterways and drinking water, creating harmful living environmen

KGMI Radio Real Estate Feature Listen to the feature here: KGMI Radio Real Estate

Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) Improve Your Property, Protect Lake Whatcom — and Get Reimbursed If you live in the Lake Whatcom watershed, there’s an opportunity to improve your property while also helping protect one of our region’s most important natural resources—and you may be eligible for reimbursement to do it. The Lake Whatcom Homeowner Incentive Program (HIP) is designed to support homeowners in reducing stormwater runoff and pollution entering the lak

Learn more about ARCSA, an Organization That Helps Educate About Rainwater Catchment Dec 4, 2017 The ARCSA Mission Provide resources and information on rainwater collection, promote the advancement of rainwater conservation and work with state, county and other local governmental units in promoting rainwater catchment. ARCSA Website

Interview with a NWRS Customer Jun 29, 2021 A Bellingham family took this unique step to make their garden more sustainable Heather Williams and her husband Paul Williams wanted their one-year-old daughter to have a safe space to play and get down and dirty with nature. So, they built a food garden on their property near Lake Whatcom. But the Bellingham couple’s garden isn’t typical — it’s completely outfitted with a rainwater irrigation system, installed last fall. “It’s pre

Saving Rain for a Rainy Day: Northwest Rain Solutions HERE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, we are no strangers to rain. Whether or not you’re a fan of the frequent showers, have you ever stopped to think about where that rain ends up? If you ask Northwest Rain Solutions, there are endless answers. Rainwater harvesting can increase potable water availability, help flush your toilets, water your lawns, and even fight fires. “A lot of people struggle to find a reliable water source, a