By STEPHANIE BEECKEN
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - People have been using rain barrels for years to re-use rainwater, but now a Knoxville man has designed a rainwater harvesting system that he says will provide all the water needed for a home or business.
Denis Rochat showed his system Friday to area contractors, architects and city officials.
The Wisy Rainwater Harvesting System includes a large storage tank in the ground.
Rochat says rainwater goes into a building's gutters, then flows into pipes that eventually join together.
The water ends up in the storage tank and is filtered by the system before use.
Rochat says the system is the first of its kind in Knoxville.
Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero said she thinks the system will help the environment because when rainwater hits the ground and eventually runs of into the lakes and rivers it's polluted. By capturing and reusing the water before it rushes into storm water pipes, flooding will be also reduced.
Mayor Rogero says that means fewer tax dollars spent trying to control, contain and clear area flooding.
"It's good for the environment," said Rogero. "It's good to reduce storm water cost to the city and it saves the home owner for the purchase of water, drinking water and water for use of the home."
Rochat says the system will pay for itself in 12 to 14 years because the homeowner saves on purchasing water.
The system currently costs around $22,000 and provides water to a family of four from runoff from a 4,000 square foot roof.
Smaller, less expensive systems are also available.
Mayor Rogero says the rainwater harvesting system will help the city and area developers meet federal regulations, where the first inch of rainfall has to be contained on your property.
More information is available at rainwaterresources.com.
Denis Rochat showed his system Friday to area contractors, architects and city officials.
The water ends up in a storage tank and is filtered by the system before use.
"It's good for the environment," said Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero.
