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Seattle - Rainwater Usage
rainwater tank Our rainwater tank is 10x16 by 6.5' deep, which gives us about 7000 gallons of storage (left).  The plate near the outer edge of the tank is the access hatch, and the pipe visible on the far right is the overflow.  The inlets and pump feed line are not visible.

Each downspout has a screen to keep debris out (below).

rainwater tank covered
The finished tank is completely covered by the granite retaining wall and the reclaimed brick planter box (above).  The "goat path" stairway comes up behind the lavender and the brick wing wall to join the slate walkway.  If you compare the upper and lower photos you can see that we've added about a foot of a compost mix so that we are planting in good soil.

Some day I'll add a system diagram and picture of the pump assembly.

To find out more about rainwater issues, click here.