Elysian Brewery

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 Brewery expanded its warehousing operations into a new adjacent building, adding approximately 33,000 square feet of impervious roof area. With this expansion came a significant increase in stormwater runoff during rain events.

The challenge was clear:

• The site needed to manage peak rainfall flow on-site

• Available space was limited, making traditional solutions like bio-retention systems difficult or impractical

• The system needed to meet stormwater requirements without disrupting operations or requiring a large footprint

The Solution

To address these constraints, Northwest Rain Solutions designed and installed a rainwater harvesting system tailored specifically to the site.

Rather than trying to disperse water immediately, the system focuses on capturing and controlling peak flow:

• A WISY 6” prefilter was installed to remove debris and improve water quality before storage

• Rainwater from the roof is directed into storage tanks during storm events

• The system captures the initial surge of rainfall, which is typically the most intense

• Stored water is then released slowly into the municipal stormwater system over time, reducing peak flow impact

• As the tanks empty, they are reset and ready for the next rain event

Why It Works

This approach effectively transforms the roof into a managed system rather than a source of uncontrolled runoff. By temporarily storing water and releasing it gradually, the system reduces strain on local infrastructure while meeting stormwater management requirements—all within a compact footprint.

The Result

With limited space available, rainwater harvesting proved to be the most efficient and practical solution. The system allows Elysian Brewery to:

• Manage stormwater on-site without large-scale landscape changes

• Reduce peak flow into the municipal system

• Comply with stormwater regulations in a dense urban setting

This project demonstrates how rainwater harvesting can serve not just as a water supply strategy, but as a powerful tool for stormwater management in constrained environments.