The Do/Peters-Do Residence in Austin, Texas received the 2018 Rain Catcher Award from the Texas Water Development Board in the Residential – Single Family category.
Innovative Water Solutions LLC designed and installed the rainwater harvesting system for the Peters/Do family. Being part of this rainwater harvesting project which supplies the family’s drinking water was a true honor.
The TWDB awards four Rain Catcher Awards each year. The 2018 recipients were innovative rainwater harvesting systems.
The award ceremony can be watched on the TWDB Board meeting video. The ceremony begins at the 44:15 mark in the video.
About the Rainwater Harvesting System
The Do/Peters-Do family residence is located just south of Austin in an area with marginal groundwater supplies. Due to the poor quality of the groundwater that supplied their home and with the goal of long-term water security, the Do/Peters-Do family decided to invest in a rainwater harvesting system as the primary potable water supply for their home. The utilization of harvested rainwater as the primary potable water supply makes this residence unique.
The system employs a “wet pipe” system to convey the rainwater from each of the downspouts to the rainwater tank. A 31,000 gallon corrugated metal, liner tank is used as the storage tank. Prior to entering the tank, the rainwater passes through screening installed on the gutters and the first flush of rainwater from the roof is diverted with a first-flush diversion system. For potable water systems, flushing the first rainwater that falls on the roof is vital to help provide cleaner rainwater for consumption as well as reduce long-term maintenance on the tank.
Once the rainwater is in the tank, it is pulled from the tank through a floating filter which pulls rainwater from right below the water surface which is the clearest rainwater in the tank. A pump system pressurizes the rainwater before sending it to the house connection.
A dual filtration and UV disinfection system was installed inside the house’s mechanical room. The dual filtration system comprises of a 10 micron sediment filter and a 5 micron carbon filter. The UV disinfection system deactivates any and all viruses and bacteria that could be in the rainwater.
This system produces a high-quality, naturally soft water for consumption. The system was designed to reduce long-term maintenance while providing easy ways for the homeowners to keep up with the maintenance if so desired.
Also unique is the structure itself – the exterior walls are 24” thick, utilizing over 160 tons of adobe cob mixture to minimize the home’s energy needs. With walls that are 24” deep and at least nine feet tall, this earthen house is dense and sturdy. Over 160 tons of cob mixture (Adobe) was used to create this 2,200 square foot home. Thermal mass changes temperature slowly and combined with site orientation, deep overhangs, and access to the prevailing summer breezes, a comfort level is easily attained, minimizing energy needs.
Sited on acreage governed by a conservation easement, the disturbance to the native landscape was minimal. Considerable effort was made to reuse materials that the land provided. Soil, rocks, and brush cleared for the home were repurposed back into the home’s construction and landscape. Floors are made of sealed clay earth and local mesquite. Extensive use of locally sourced, standing dead eastern cedar makes a statement on the trim and porch. Every finish was vetted by the owner/designer/builder team to foster good health. A goal of zero VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) led to the selection of healthy paints and earth plaster for feature walls. Pure linseed oil and soy-based sealer were used on the floors.
About the TWDB Rain Catcher Award Program
The Texas Rain Catcher Award competition began in 2007 and is open to all individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities, and other local and state governmental entities in Texas. It recognizes entities and individuals in the rainwater harvesting community and beyond and establishes award recipients as dedicated water conservation leaders in Texas.