plan 134Rooftop Rainwater harvesting on a barn

Summary

A rooftop rainwater harvesting system on barn roof

Background

Hewitt Farms is a 54 acre farm in north eastern Pennsylvania.


The barn roof and structure needs major repairs and has been chosen to be the first part of a rooftop rainwater harvesting project. This will be the starting point of a broader sustainability project.


Location

Pennsylvania, NE, United States

Attachments

  • MT199707...
  • HewittFa...
  • BarnABac...
  • BarnAFal...

Focus

Primary Focus: Water station for other use
Secondary Focus: Capacity Building

People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 0

Can't claim for drinking water due to regulations, but many livestock for sure!

School Children Getting Water:

People Getting Sanitation: 0

People Getting Other Benefits:

Start Date: 2008-08-15

Completion Date: 2008-11-15

Technology Used:

The plan is to create a rooftop rainwater harvesting system, one that stores in a couple of large containers, and that can withstand the winters.


This is an experiment that we would like to share widely. We are drawing on the work done at the Cabell Brand Center. They have a picture that we would like to replicate.


We will use their rainwater manual">rainwater harvesting manual and a document from from Montana State University (attached in this application).


From a local weather watcher, we have rainfall and temperature data.


The barn size is 30ftx40ft and we will calculate the amount of rainfall we can capture and balance with what we can afford to store. We are leaning towards fiberglass but monolithic/poured concrete is an acceptable option.


This is meant to be a pilot, a showcase, and we welcome any suggestions and insights.

Phases:

This project covers just one barn and we hope to finish it before winter sets in.

Community Organization:

The owner of the farm is the enthusiastic proponent and also on the township planning commission (vice chair) and through membership of two local community organizations, hopes to interest the local gov't and bay keepers, etc.

Government Interaction:

Ancillary activities:

The long-term vision is to have built/renovated two barns that will eventually be the central buildings to support a sustainable ag community and teaching center, perhaps staff and/or visitor housing,

Other Issues:

Currently usage for drinking cannot be an official use. There are many uses for water in a farm:


1) Barn can house up to 8 horses.


2) Small herds of sheep and goats, limited number of chickens, possible cattle in future.


3) Clothes washer


4) Greenhouse (to be constructed) irrigation.


There is also a pond (which is scheduled to be expanded x 3 by fall) which can supplement water needs, as the overflow from the pond already runs into the stream beside the barn.

Maintenance Revenue:

Maintenance Cost:

Metrics:

Prior art before metrics

Cost: $5,000

Rough estimate, needs to be created through quotes and also implementation.

Co Funding Amount:

Community Contribution Amount: $5,000

The owner of the farm is bearing all the expenses.

Fund Requested: $500

Implementing Organization: Laura Hewitt of Hewitt Farms

The farm has a website.


A deep interest in sustainability and an eagerness to design and execute small projects, one at a time.

Attachments

  • MT199707...
  • HewittFa...
  • BarnABac...
  • BarnAFal...
  • 1 participant | show more

    Winter design issues

    Rajesh Shah of Blue Planet Network

    This is a question for the reviewers' expertise. Are there any design considerations for a RWH system that might be exposed to very cold - snowy and icy - conditions? Examples: 1) accounting for freezing and expansion; 2) accounting for snowmelt (rapid or slow); 3) weight of snow and ice on roof and design of gutters and support. Sh...

    This is a question for the reviewers' expertise.

    Are there any design considerations for a RWH system that might be exposed to very cold - snowy and icy - conditions?

    Examples:

    1) accounting for freezing and expansion;

    2) accounting for snowmelt (rapid or slow);

    3) weight of snow and ice on roof and design of gutters and support.

    Sharing of knowledge from other projects and experience would be welcome - thanks.

  • Not Reviewed

    by Water for People

  • Not Reviewed

    by Rainwater Club

Name Status Completion Date Final Cost
Rooftop Rainwater harvesting on a barn in_progress Aug 2009 0