Research:
Evaluation of Contaminant Mixing in Rainwater Harvesting First Flush Diverter : The goal of this study was to understand the influence of flow rate, diverter chamber diameter, and diverter chamber to downspout transition fitting on the movement of contaminants within a downspout first flush diverter.
Publications:
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater Harvesting: System Planning : This manual was created to help contractors, consultants, land owners, and others plan rainwater harvesting systems. The manual addresses catchments that are less than 50,000 square feet and can store less than 100,000 gallons. It covers all aspects of planning, installing, operating and maintaining such systems, as well as the distribution of water for landscapes, pets, wildlife, livestock, and private potable and nonpotable in-home rainwater systems. Also available in Spanish.
Rainwater Harvesting : Homeowners and landowners can construct systems to capture, store and use rainwater to water their landscape plants.
Harvesting Rainwater for Wildlife : Providing enough water can be a problem when grazing livestock on rangeland. Authors explain how rainwater capture is done and give specific examples on how to determine the amount that you need.
Making a Rain Barrel : This publication provides a step-by-step guide to making a rain barrel from scratch. It also includes information on placement, uses, and maintenance.
Harvesting, Storing, and Treating Rainwater for Domestic Use : This publication will help you design and operate a roof-based rainwater harvesting system to supply drinking water for you and your household. It focuses on the information you need to make sure that your system will produce water that is chemically and biologically safe to drink.
Rainwater Harvesting: Guidance for Public Water Systems : This is a guide for public water systems that collect and treat rainwater and distribute it as potable water. It offers a general overview of the TCEQ rules that apply to public water systems that use rainwater as a drinking water source and to systems that use it as a source for a commercial bottling operation.
Rainwater Harvesting: Livestock : Providing enough water can be a problem when grazing livestock on rangeland. Authors explain how rainwater capture is done and give specific examples on how to determine the amount that you need.
Rainwater Harvesting: Raingardens : Landowners can attract wildlife to their properties by installing rainwater catchment devices. This publication explains wildlife water sources, management considerations, rainfall catchment areas and wildlife tax valuation.
Rainwater Harvesting: Soil Storage and Infiltration System : A soil storage and infiltration system collects rainfall runoff from the roofs of buildings and directs it underground where it infiltrates the soil. Such a system conserves water and protects it from surface pollution.
Rainwater Harvesting: Examples, Sources, and Equipment
Water Management
Stormwater Management : Pollutants in stormwater discharges remain a significant source of environmental impacts to water quality. The Clean Water Act regulates certain discharges of stormwater. Learn which sources are regulated and what can be done to control stormwater.
Techniques for Wetlands Construction and Management : Wetlands are important ecosystems that contain a vast array of plants and animals. This publication explains the role of wetlands and how to construct and manage them.
Linking Water Conservation and Nautral Resource Stewardship in the Trinity River Basin : This publication explores the relationship between ecosystem health and land stewardship in the Trinity River Basin. It also describes how responsible land stewardship can be applied in urban and rural settings.
Drinking Water Quality
Drinking Water Standards : This publication explains the federal safety standards for drinking water provided by public water supply systems.
Drinking Water Problems: Arsenic : High levels of arsenic in drinking water can poison and even kill people. This publication explains the symptoms of arsenic poisoning and common treatment methods for removing arsenic from your water supply.
Drinking Water Problems: Nitrates : This publication explains the federal safety standards for drinking water provided by public water supply systems.
Drinking Water Problems: Perchlorate : Perchlorate is a potential contaminate of well water that can have harmful effects on human health. Methods of removing perchlorate from water are described and illustrated.
Shock Chlorination of Stored Water Supplies : Treatment of drinking water to improve its sanitary or bacteriological quality is referred to as disinfection. Shock chlorination is one disinfection method employed by public suppliers to reduce bacterial contamination of water.
Additional Resources
“What is the Fate of your Rainfall” Education Guide : This three part curriculum gives an educator the tools needed to teach people about the fate of rainfall. It is intended to accompany a rainfall simulator which demonstrates what happens to rain depending a specific land use.