Presentation by Chris Maxwell-Gaines of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association at the 2017 Central Texas Water Conservation Symposium.

1. Five Birds… One Stone
Chris Maxwell-Gaines, P.E.
The Case for Rainwater Harvesting

3. Progression of Indoor Water Fixture Efficiency
Progression of Indoor Fixture Efficiency

4. Source: Austin Water website

5. 110 MGD
210 MGD
Source: Austin Water website

7. Stormwater management

9. • Rainwater harvesting has a part to play in
the management of our stormwater
resources within our communities

10. High Energy!

11. Low Energy

12. Conservation Education

17. Job creation
482 systems : 6.3M gallons : 20 employees

18. Stormwater
Management
Water-Energy
Nexus
Water
Savings
Job
Creation
Conservation
Education
Rainwater Harvesting

19. • Many cities across the US have developed rain barrel
programs where they are either selling rain barrels at
cost or hosting rain barrel making workshops. While this
is great, I believe effort and education needs to go into
showing citizens the true potential of rainwater
harvesting and other options. Typically cities stop here.
• But with rain barrels, this typically happens… (next slide)

23. System Design Considerations
Collection
Area
Storage
Volume
Demand &
Use Method

26. ARCSA/ASPE/ANSI 63-2013: Rainwater Catchment Systems
Rainwater Harvesting System Installer License Legislation
HB 173 sponsored by Rep. Eddie Lucio III

27. Texas Population Growth
• Texas’ population is expected to increase more than 70
percent between 2020 and 2070, from 29.5 million to
51 million.
• Over half of all the statewide population growth
between 2020 and 2070 is expected to occur within
Regions C and H.
• Water demand is projected to increase by 17 percent,
from 18.4 million acre-feet per year in 2020 to 21.6
million acre-feet per year in 2070.

28. • Share of recommended water management
strategies by strategy type in 2070

29. • Do this and everyone will fall in love with
rainwater harvesting