Lovers too smile as they hold each other while walking under the rain or an umbrella.
Some adult frown getting wet and late for a meeting or, worse, a typhoon endangers life and property.
Bottom line, is prioritizing nature with people’s needs.
Add up your creativity, and voila, you can be a change agent at home, workplace, school, or in the community.
“Rainwater harvesting, also known as rainwater catchment, can help reduce storm water pollution and help conserve water so that it may be used for irrigation or other on-site purposes,” explains Lisa Huynh Eller, Federal Programs Outreach and Publications Coordinator of CNMI’s Division of Environmental Quality.
Rainwater harvesting not only slashes your water bill, and electric bill too if you have a water pump, but also helps in protecting and preserving the environment.
One can only imagine when supply of water suddenly stops, just for alternative use.
There are no possible sources, while rainwater was not collected during the previous rain.
“It’s always good to have a back-up water tank for rainwater collection,” says Yong Mok Cho, president of Y.M. BM Corporation that specializes on made-to-order fiberglass water tanks based in Koblerville.
Cho added that based from his customers’ feedback, rainwater harvested gives “better quality” when mixed with government-sourced waters because, he said, water on the island is salty.
Water collected from rainwater harvesting can be used for home needs, like toilet flushing, cleaning, laundry, carwash, to irrigation needs, and putting out fire.
But there are things to consider before installing a rainwater collection system, such as collector size, regulatory considerations, and possible credits for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Cho, who has been in the business for 20 years, said customers can order for a customized size and design that can accommodate volume of water from 50 to 15,000 gallons.
“Half of the total number of houses on Saipan may have purchased a water tank,” Cho noted.
He recalled that his company already produced “roughly 5,000 units” of water tanks since after they operated two decades ago.
They also have customers from Guam, Tinian and Rota, he said.
Farmers, residence and agencies have also installed rainwater catchment system, Cho said.
He recalled that about two or three years ago, when water situation on the island is a much bigger concern, residents bought water tanks, like having a car in every garage.
“Many people have one water tank per house,” Cho said.
He noted that residents from Capitol Hill and from areas where supply of water is a concern, turn to rainwater harvesting.
“You have a back up supply of water for 24-hours,” he added.
From 500 to 1,000 gallons are usually bought by residents, while businesses eye for 1,000 to 3,000 gallon capacity, and 3,000 gallons and above for schools.
Paul YS Lee, owner of Noah Corp., also in the production of fiberglass water tanks the past 16 years, agreed on the importance of having a rainwater harvesting system. His company is in Koblerville, fronting Cho’s establishment.
Cho and Lee both noted economic and environmental benefits that will be brought by having rainwater harvesting system.
Y.M. BM Corporation can be contacted at (670) 234-1115/235-5078, fax: (670) 235-5079, cell: (670) 483- 1150, or e-mail: [email protected].
Noah Corp. can be contacted at telefax (670) 288-0332, cell: (670) 483-3688, or e-mail: [email protected].
How to harvest rainwater
o Larger buildings will no doubt require large stormwater collection systems consisting of proportionately sized cisterns (which can be above or below ground), pressuring equipment (pressure vessels, pumps, etc.), water- purifying equipment, and so on. This rainwater collection method often requires a gray water system through which rainwater is recycled and reused for internal water fixtures, such as toilets and irrigation systems.
o Smaller buildings and home-based businesses are more likely to employ simple rain barrel systems that connect to conventional downspouts, collecting much smaller volumes of water. These systems are seldom hooked into a building’s water system.
Regulatory considerations
LEED your way to a greener building
Don’t forget that rainwater harvesting systems qualify for LEED credits.
Installing a rainwater harvesting system helps you go green because…
• They allow you to recycle water, thereby cutting down on use of fresh, potable water.
• They reduce the amount of water entering your local community’s sewage system, and act as a buffer against contaminated runoff during heavy storms.
For more information on rainwater harvesting, and other green tips, visit www.greenyour.com, www.deq.gov.mp, www.hawaiirain.org, or www.appropedia.org.
