The Rainwater Connection offers a wide range of products for use in RWH systems.
A variety of rainwater harvesting products are available from the United States, Germany and Australia. We have tested them under local conditions, and offer a wide selection of those that work in coastal British Columbia’s site conditions.
We have also developed some “made in BC” products to clean the water before it gets to the cistern. They are designed to better deal with the fir needles and the rain patterns in the local environment. The Rainwater Connection also makes high quality, lined, corrugated steel cisterns providing secure storage of between 12,000 and 20,000 gallons.
Whole House Gravity Filters
Inline strainer filter (no vertical drop)
A set of two 2″ (50mm) filters working together (one at 500 microns and the second at 180 microns) will accommodate the water flow from up to 1,400 SF (130m2) of roof area.
Water must be pre-cleaned before the filters.
Easy clean mesh screens lasts 5 years Can be installed outdoors.
Maintenance – Clean every 1-2 months. If filters are not cleaned water backs up in catchment piping.
High capacity strainer filter that requires 7″ of vertical drop to function.
Single filter will clean water from 2,000 SF (186m2) of roof catchment area to 250 microns.
Water must be pre-cleaned before the filters.
Easy clean mesh screens last 5 years.
Can be installed outdoors if mounted horizontally.
Maintenance – Clean every 1-2 months. If filters are not cleaned water backs up in catchment piping.
Milk filter fabric fashioned into a coffee filter shaped liner for a standard tank top basket.
Operates with dirty water, but pre-cleaning of larger debris recommended.
Zero water loss at flow rates of 10GPM which equates to 1/2″ rain per hour from 2,500SF (232m2) of roof area.
Requires 6″ (150mm) vertical drop at tank top.
Filters water to 40 microns.
Maintenance – Clean basket and filter every 2 months if water is pre-cleaned. Every month if water is not pre-cleaned. Filters can be cleaned 2-4 times and then replaced.
Basket style gravity flow rainwater filter for mounting underground. No water loss if operating properly.
Requires 10″ (255mm) vertical drop.
Filters water to 350 microns.
Rated to process water flows from roof areas up to 3,770 SF (350m2) when fed by a 4″(100mm) pipe.
Equipped with its own overflow, if the basket cannot process peak water flows or becomes clogged with debris.
Maintenance – Clean out basket every 2-3 months if water is pre-cleaned. Every month if water is not pre-cleaned. Note: Other models of Graf filters clean water to similar standards with less vertical drop requirements.
Vortex style filter for installation above or below ground. Clean water flows out the sides of the stainless steel cylinder, and excess water and debris drop down into the drain exit.
Minimum 10% water loss increases dramatically if vertical vortex surface collects debris or gets dirty.
Requires 10.2″ (260mm) vertical drop.
Filters water to 500 microns.
WFF 100 rated for roof areas up to 2,153 SF (200m2). WFF 150 rated for roof areas up to 5,380 SF (500m2)
Designed to be self-cleaning but water should be free of fir needles.
Maintenance – Remove and clean internal Stainless Steel cylinder every 1-2 months to prevent filter from rejecting more than 10% of water flow. Note: smaller “downspout” WISY filters are rated for 1,614 SF (150m2), and a larger one is rated for roof areas to 32,000 SF (3,000m2)
Basket style gravity flow rainwater filter for mounting above grade or partly underground. No water loss if operating properly.
Requires 10″ (255mm) vertical drop.
Filters water to either 200 or 750 microns (depending on filter basket used).
Combines basket filter with small pump chamber to transport water to storage tank(s).
Rated to process water flows up to 80GPM when fed by a 4″(100mm) pipe. Roof area serviced depends on pumping capacity.
Equipped with its own overflow, if the basket cannot process peak water flows or becomes clogged with debris.
Maintenance – Clean out basket every 2-3 months if water is pre-cleaned. Every month if water is not pre-cleaned. Add chlorine to trapped water every 1-2 months. Clean pump chamber every 6 months.
A small version of a commercial water cleaning box used in pulp mills and wineries.
Water flows over a concave shaped piece of stainless steel “Wedgewire” material that draws clean water through it.
Virtually self-cleaning as debris and excess water flow over wedgewire and out a drain.
Operates with dirty water. No pre-cleaning required.
Zero water loss at flow rates of 20GPM (92LPM) which equates to 1/2″ rain per hour from 5,000SF (1,525m2) of roof area.
Installs above ground or partly underground. Requires 17″ (430mm) vertical drop.
Filters water to 500 microns.
Maintenance – Brush wedgewire surface with SS brush every 2-3 months. Remove and pressure wash wedgewire panel every 1-2 years.
The ultimate gutter cover.
A robust aluminum frame covered with a 316 SS screen mesh that cleans the water to 200 microns before it gets to the gutter.
Sits on angle to help it self-clean.
Eliminates requirement for debris traps. Almost eliminates gutter maintenance.
Maintenance – If water flows over the top of accumulated debris brush with a brush head on an extender pole. In spring after pollen season brush or pressure wash top surface to dislodge pollen build up. In extreme environments it may be necessary to remove and pressure wash both sides every 2-3 years.
Locally made, lightweight aluminum frame covered with 40/40 surgical stainless steel mesh that cleans the water to 380 microns on the way into the gutter.
Sits flat on gutter hangers.
Removes most debris including roof granules.
Maintenance – Water can still run over the top of built up debris requiring periodic brushing of top surface. Most pollen runs through it witch simplifies spring cleaning.
Wall Mounted Debris Traps
Cleans the rainwater two ways.
Needles and larger debris are captured in layers of fabric in the middle rack, and heavier organic material is trapped in the bottom chamber.
8″ version for roof areas up to 1,400 SF (130m2)
6″ version for roof areas up to 1,000 SF (91m2)
Maintenance – Clean every 2 months (remove and clean fabric and flush out lower chamber).
Similar to the All-in-one debris box, but equipped with a stainless steel cover to deflect larger debris.
Cover reduces roof area capacities by approx. 20%. Some splashing (water loss) can occur in heavy rains.
Maintenance – Clean every 2-4 months.
Attractive, 8 inch semi circular design constructed of heavy gauge coated aluminum.
2 stage cleaning like the All-in-one debris box.
Mounts on two screws on the wall for easy removal.
For roof areas up to 1,400 SF (130m2)
Maintenance – Clean every 1-2 months.
Made by Rain Harvesting Pty Ltd.
Angled leaf screen designed to partially self-clean.
No secondary water cleaning.
For roof areas up to 1,200 SF (112m2).
Minor splashing and water loss in heavy rains.
Maintenance – Clean every 1-2 months
Inexpensive 2 piece system that diverts larger debris in top leaf trap, and collects finer material in the blue fabric & grate under it.
Minimum 10% water loss increases dramatically if vertical vortex surface collects debris or gets dirty.
No secondary cleaning.
For roof areas up to 700 SF (65m2)
Maintenance – Clean every month – more often in areas with many fir needles.
Inexpensive screen basket that mounts in the downspout. Removable for cleaning.
No secondary cleaning, but traps fir needles.
For roof areas up to 700 SF (65m2)
Maintenance – Clean every month, and as often as weekly if gutters are uncovered in wooded areas.
Geo-membrane Lined Steel Cisterns
These steel tanks have been used for water storage for over 40 years in other parts of the world. The tank is made up of 12, 16, and 18 gauge steel and coated with a hot dip zinc coating. (2 ounces per square foot). Each sheet is pre-bent by the manufacturer, stenciled with the producer’s name and sheet thickness, and made to our specifications. Each tank design has been “stamped” by a BC Structural Engineer. The galvanized finish should have a lifetime of up to 50 years.
These tanks can be installed on evenly compacted soil or sand that has been uniformly compacted to 60 lbs per square inch.
The XR-3PW8130 polyester geo-membrane liner (30mil) is a versatile alloy with a potable water rating of NSF 61, is bag shaped, and forms the bottom of the cistern. The prefabricated (factory welded) liner was manufactured to the specifications of the Rainwater Connection. The top reinforced hem of the liner is bolted to the top of the metal wall panels, and can be removed for repair or replacement without affecting the structural integrity of the tank. The tank liner material is strong and flexible which suits it to the varying water pressures as the tank fills and empties. The liner has excellent cold temperature properties, extended chemical resistance and outstanding long term resistance to UV radiation.
The cistern roof is a honeycombed wood structure with a 24 gauge enamel metal roof designed to withstand local snow loads. The roof is equipped with a 30 inch by 22 inch hinged access hatch with a safety hasp and padlock. The roof overhang detail allows for screened venting around the perimeter of the tank.
Tank Dimensions | Capacity (Imp. Gal.) | Cost |
14’7″ x 8′ high | 8,320 | |
17’6″ x 8′ high | 11,980 | |
20’5″ x 8′ high | 16,310 | |
20’5″ x 10′ high | 20,390 |
GST will be charged on labour and PST is included in cost of materials.