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Program Overview
Tank 2 Table is a UCSC-led program focused on studying and promoting rainwater harvesting. Funded by the UCSC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience, The goal of this pilot program is to design and build integrated systems to harvest rainwater for irrigation in urban food systems, and work with community members to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities as part of a larger effort to study how the greater Santa Cruz community could benefit from the deployment of such systems.
You can read more about our team and program in this Tuesday Newsday article from UCSC.
Rainwater Harvesting Education
On this website, you'll find comprehensive information on how to install rain tanks, the materials needed, required maintenance, and installation costs. You'll also learn how to use rainwater for efficient irrigation and growing food.
Curriculum developed with the help UCSC IDEASS Innovative Water Systems coarse is also available here to provide instruction on calculating rainwater harvesting potentials and understanding conceptual and practical application behind rainwater harvesting.
Research
In addition to the design and installation of these intergrated rainwater to food systems, our program encompasses an ongoing research project looking at a number of methods for conserving water and measure how long rainwater tanks can irrigate gardens under local conditions and with locally popular crops. While this research is still ongoing, experiments last summer at the UCSC Village garden, concluded that a 500-gallon tank can fully irrigate two 8'x4' garden beds from March to October, enabling the growth of over 600 lettuces in the dry season. More information on our experimental processes and the results can be found here.
Our Local Efforts
We are working to install rain tanks in the Santa Cruz community. Visit the Seymour Center at the UC Santa Cruz Coastal Campus to see a 500 gallon demonstration system. Additionally, we have several systems installed at UCSC and are planning one at De Laveaga Elementary School. See examples here
Social Equity Efforts
Data and experience collected from this program will help to build foundations for local sustainable policy advocacy in Santa Cruz and to apply for larger funding opportunities. Our team is diverse, multifaceted, interdisciplinary, harnessing the creative vision and energy of undergraduates, graduates, and faculty, and builds on existing community relationships with local schools.
Rain Tank Costs and Rebates
The cost of installing a 500-gallon rain tank is approximately $1500. The city of Santa Cruz currently offers no rebate programs for rain tank installation. One of our program goals is to advocate for city water policy that would incentivize rainwater harvesting as a viable means for climate resilience, water conservation, local food production, and consumer residential water costs.
500 Gallon Rain Tank installed by IDEASS students at the UCSC Village Garden
500 Gallon Rain Tank Installed at the Seymour Center for the UCSC Center for Coastal Climate Resilience
Social Equity Efforts
Costs and Rebates
The cost of installing a 500-gallon rain tank is approximately $1500. The city of Santa Cruz currently offers no rebate programs for rain tank installation. One of our program goals is to advocate for city water policy that would incentivize rainwater harvesting as a viable means for climate resilience, water conservation, local food production, and consumer residential water costs.
Tank Size Recommendations
The designs presented here focus on small-scale rain tanks, typically with a maximum size of about 600 gallons. This size strikes a good balance between cost, volume, and practicality for most families. For tanks larger than 600 gallons, it's important to consider earthquake bracing and potentially a concrete pad for support.
Research Results
At UCSC, we’ve tested that a 500-gallon tank can fully irrigate two 8'x4' garden beds from March to October, enabling the growth of over 600 lettuces in the dry season. More information on our experimental processes and the results can be found here.
Explore More
Collaboration
These efforts have been organized by the following organizations and teams. This page is informational and UCSC does not accept responsibility for tank installations.
Seed Spoon Science
UC Santa Cruz
IDEASS LAB
Center for Coastal Climare Resilience
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