The rainwater harvesting system at the Sonora Bank branch building in New Braunfels was awarded a 2024 Rain Catcher Award from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) for the Commercial category.
The TWDB’s Texas Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes rainwater harvesting technology, and educates the public on this important water-saving practice.
About the Rainwater Harvesting System
Innovative Water Solutions LLC designed and installed the rainwater harvesting system for the Sonora Bank New Braunfels project. The system collects rainwater from approximately 6,750 square feet and harvests it into a 20,243-gallon water storage tank. The system can harvest approximately 4,200 gallons per inch of rainfall. With the annual average rainfall amount of 31″, this system can potentially capture 130,000-gallons of rainwater.
The rainwater collection system harvests rainwater from the building via a wet conveyance system. This is accomplished through water-tight PVC downspouts which are connected to an underground PVC collection main. The rainwater fills the underground PVC collection main and the PVC downspouts to the elevation that is equal to the elevation of the inlet pipe at the top of the tank. The rainwater passes through a basket filter at the top of the which keeps debris from entering the tank.
Once collected in the tank, the rainwater is pumped to the irrigation system via a submersible pump system that includes inline filters to prepare the rainwater before entering the irrigation system. If the rainwater level in the cistern gets below 12” of depth, an auto-fill system will supplement the cistern with municipal water. This is accomplished through a double-solenoid system which is connected to a float switch located in the cistern. The municipal water supply system is protected from any contamination by the rainwater with a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) high hazard backflow preventer.
A Pioneer brand corrugated metal liner tank was used for the water storage tank. After the tank was installed, a mortared rock wall was constructed around the tank to blend it into the aesthetics of the bank building.
More Rainwater Harvesting System Images
Need a Rainwater Harvesting System for a Commercial Project?
Contact us to start the conversation about a design of a rainwater harvesting system for your commercial project? We are an engineering firm that offers design and design/build services. We love creating systems that help conserve our precious water and save energy while doing it!