The Rainwater Observer

Water Prices Rising Worldwide

The price of water is increasing—sometimes dramatically—throughout the world. Over the past five years, municipal water rates have increased by an average of 27 percent in the United States, 32 percent in the United Kingdom, 45 percent in Australia, 50 percent in South Africa, and 58 percent in Canada.

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For the Future of Water Efficiency, Look to Australia

Here are some of the recommendations from the Australia delegation touring U.S. cities to share their experiences with water efficiency as a result of prolonged drought (from meeting 1/13/09).

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Getting Ready for Rain in West Texas

Especially in the driest climates such as West Texas, rainwater harvesting provides a way to make the best possible use of our most valuable resource- water. This article explains the basics of rainwater harvesting and some of the lesser known benefits of rainwater.

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Payoff on Rainwater System As Little As 3 Years

"Because water rates have changed, we're looking at a pay-back of less than three years."

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Solution to Water Scarcity- Raise the Price

As a means to temporarily keep the water shortage crisis that China faces at bay, the World Bank suggests raising the price of water and creating more water rights to reflect scarcity promote conservation.

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Rainwater System Installation, Part 1

Follow us as we install a state-of-the-art rainwater system in Fort Worth, Texas. The system will be used as a whole-house drinking water supply system on a LEED certified residential home and uses some of the latest technology available to provide a sustainable source of water.

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LEED Certified Buildings

By Chris Tilley Leed Green Building Rating System program is a certification program for green buildings.(source) The current version of the system is 2.2 and there is a version 3 that is coming. Version 3 will involve carbon footprint and carbon trading in some form. The system has four levels: Certified – 26-32 points Silver [...]

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Making Rainwater Collection a Legal Right- Utah Joins the Movement

By Stephen Speckman | Dec. 21, 2008 Utah Sen. Scott Jenkins wants to make it legal for homeowners to collect and store rainwater without having to purchase a water right through the state. Jenkins, R-Plain City, told the State Water Development Commission in a meeting Tuesday that he intends to sponsor a bill in the [...]

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Which City Leads the U.S. in Promoting Rainwater Harvesting?

Tucson passes nation’s first rainwater harvesting ordinance for commercial properties. By April Reese | Oct. 16th, 2008 The city of Tucson, Ariz., on Tuesday became the first municipality in the country to require developers of commercial properties to harvest rainwater for landscaping. The new water-saving measure — approved by a unanimous vote by the City [...]

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Colorado Rainwater Law May Change- But There’s a Catch

A water bill being proposed in the Colorado this year would make rainwater collection legal for some rural residents but not urban residents.

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