Post date: Aug 17, 2011 8:38:50 AM
in 2010 Cosanti Foundation received a donation of about 1000 dollars worth of stackable water storage system. The planned system sized to about 1000 gallons will be used to collect excess rainwater that runs below Arcosanti in the Heat Duct Tunnel.
The donated product is made by Colorado based Invisible Structures, the specific produce used is called RainStore3 and is distributed by GeoTech in Phoenix.
Rainstore3 is a modular and stackable structure used to store stormwater underground. Made from injection molded plastic, a single panel contains 36 vertical columns and exceeds H-20 loading, allowing the construction of driving areas, parking lots, or other small structures above the system. Built-in compression fittings allow units to be easily stacked to a variety of depths up to 7.9ft pr 2.4 meters.
Construction has commenced on the work to install this system and configure as a completed rainwater collection system. Here are some of the key steps to enable the completion of this project:
We have begun excavating the hole that will hold the RainStore3 system and will be adding a liner once the proper depth has been reached.
After the whole has been dug out to the required depths, the stackable plastic components will be installed.
Once they are in place we will add gravel between the Rainstore3 hardware and the liner that will be glued together to form a seal on the bottom and the sides of the hole.
The gravel will be compacted to ensure a tight bond between the side walls and the RainStore3 pieces.
Then we will cap the system using the liner membrane to seal the tank. Pavers will be laid on top to cover the system.
A biofilter will be designed and filled with sand to filter the incoming water flow. An exit pipe will be installed to enable the contents of the tank to be pumped out and used for irrigation purposes.
The Cosanti Foundation does have a Water Management Plan for Arcosanti that includes rainwater collection that involves the eventual capture of the rainwater from the area around the East Crescent. Rainfall averages around 13 inches a year and it is estimated that when this system is fully completed it will include the capacity to store the 100000 gallons of water that will fall within the footprint of the East Crescent within the span of a year.
Currently, we have constructed a network of pipes and spillways that carries the water from around the East Crescent into two cisterns that were built into phase 5 of the East Crescent at the basement level. This project will add to that storage capacity.
Rainwater Collection is an Appropriate Technology that has been developed as a way to avoid the use of ground and subsurface water supplies and collect roof and surface water that has resulted from recent rainfalls. While most suitable in regions receiving at least 20-30 inches of rainfall a year, with serious conservation measures, this system could reduce Arcosanti's aquifer water needs by a significant amount. Arcosanti receives on average about 12 inches of rain a year.