As mentioned, collecting rainwater is an old practice, but one which has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Local emergency room doctor Mike McElveen noted rainwater collection on homes in the Bahamas while on vacation with his family in the 1980s; rain is the sole source of fresh water on the island, and every home has a system to store it. Upon returning home, Dr. McElveen set up his own system, and was so delighted with the results that he made and distributed a video showing others how to do the same.
Within a few years, the concept has taken root and now many homes and some businesses in the area rely solely on rainwater for their water supply. With an average of 33” of rain per year in the area, we are well suited to capture and store rainwater, and we are influencing others regionally to do the same. A growing industry has built up to service this practice, and some designers are taking water practicality even further with the concept of One Water.
One Water is a design process which aims to maximize the value of all water received and utilized at any site; design criteria includes not only the collection of rainwater for potable and non-potable uses, but also stormwater infiltration, reuse of air conditioning condensate, and the treatment and recycling of any “waste” water produced, for either toilet flushing and/or irrigation. Blue Hole Elementary School in Wimberley is the flagship for this design process, and awareness of the concept is built into features throughout the campus.
A translucent collection pipe in the library allows students to see (and hear) rainwater collection happening in real time as storms move through; pipe chase access windows allow viewers to see how the design separates and directs the various flows. Pervious pavement allows water to infiltrate even in areas that would normally exclude it. It is a model for the future of water-wise design in the Hill Country, and vital for the continuance of the springs which grace this region with incomparable blessings.
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