Rain Brothers Offering CorGal Corrugated Steel Water Tanks for Rainwater Harvesting

Rain Brothers is proud to offer a complete line of Corrugated Galvanized Steel Water Storage Tanks from CorGal. From residential scale to commercial installations, from 500 to 500,000 gallon capacities... we are your source for CorGal's line of tanks.

As CorGal’s website states, their water storage tanks are popular for many applications including rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, fire protection, irrigation, agricultural, industrial, mining, potable drinking water and more. The tanks are manufactured from high quality corrugated, hot-dipped galvanized steel for superior strength and durability. Each CorGal Tank is engineered to withstand the wind and snow loads and seismic forces at specific locations to ensure longevity of the tank. Intensive engineering to national design codes makes these tanks extremely adaptable to any climate, landscape type or building facility. Every tank is custom built, unique to the customer's needs and assembled at the project site.

Architects/Engineers: Let us help with your system design. Contact us today for specs, cut sheets, design ideas, and more. 

Don't want a big steel tank? We also offer residential-sized corrugated steel tanks.  Contact us today for more information.  

Municipal Rainwater Conservation Programs

Rain Brothers LLC is proud to partner with local and state municipalities and agencies to provide discounted rain barrels and rain barrel kits to residents.

Municipal rain barrel programs are great for educating the public on the ecological, financial, and community benefits of rainwater conservation. Interested in how your municipality could partner with Rain Brothers LLC? Contact us today! We are happy to design a rain barrel municipal program for the residents of your area.

Some of our municipal clients include:

Franklin County, Ohio Community Backyards Program

Los Angeles Beautification Team

Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Program

Contact us today to discuss your municipal rainwater conservation program! 

Rainwater Harvesting in Ohio: Regulations and Restrictions

​Did you know that the Ohio Department of Health regulates “private water systems”? This includes cisterns, potable water wells, ponds, springs, and hauled water storage tanks. By ODH's definition, private water systems provide drinking water to fewer than 25 people, less than 60 days/year, or have less than 15 service connections. Under that definition, these regulations are applicable to residential homes and communities with fewer than 25 residents, as well as small businesses, churches, etc.

Find the ODH Ohio Administrative Code regulations here. 

Which UV system is right for you?

If you've been to our online store to look for a UV (ultraviolet) sterilization system, you've seen that there are many different options available, with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. It makes little sense why there is such a huge price range, right? So what is the difference?

To understand the price ranges, we need to understand that UV systems can be separated by their classification, flow rate, and sophistication.

First, a bit about classification. UV units are generally measured as either NSF Class B or NSF Class A. An NSF Class B system will be a less expensive option. These systems are designed to be secondary sterilization/disinfection filters for bacteria control. In other words, a Class B system should be used in conjunction with another means of controlling bacteria. This can include chlorine injection, ozone, or reverse osmosis. Because of this, Class B systems do not measure as high of an UV output/dosage at a given flow rate. An example of a Class B unit would include our Trojan UV Max D4 model.

In contrast, we have NSF Class A systems. NSF defines as Class A UV system as one that can act as the sole means of sterilization/disinfection for a given water system. Specifically, the UV dosage will be higher at a given flow rate. Class A systems usually include a flow restrictor (to maintain proper UV dosage at a specified flow rate; i.e., 10 GPM) and a clarity sensor (to measure water clarity and to alert when cloudiness/turbidity is restricting full dosage). In Ohio, the Department of Health requires that all UV systems meet NSF Class A guidelines for any system that is used for primary water supply. An example of a Class A unit would include our UV Max Pro 10.

Along with classification, each UV system will have a flow rate assigned to it. For the Class A UV Max Pro 10, the "10" refers to the flow rate for the unit -- i.e., 10 gallons per minute at NSF Class A standard dosage. You'll want to match the UV system with your pump capabilities. Most residential applications will not need a system greater than 10 gallons per minute (GPM).

Finally, there are various levels of sophistication for UV systems. By far, the most advanced and sophisticated UV system that we offer is our line of UV Pure sterilizers. The UV Pure systems are virtually maintenance-free. Commonly, a UV system (like the UV Max or the Sterilight units) will include four major components: A lamp, a glass sleeve (encases the lamp and protects it from moisture), a stainless steel chamber, and a ballast with control box. In these traditional units, the user must regularly turn off the system and clean the glass sleeve that encases the bulb in order to ensure full penetration of UV light into the water supply occurs. Doing so can be a somewhat tedious and delicate process, especially if a water supply has high turbidity or low clarity. In contrast, the UV Pure units use two lamps and reflective interior surface, allowing for fuller penetration of UV dosage. Additionally, instead of the lamps being encased in a glass sleeve, the water is encased in a sleeve, and the sleeve is regularly and automatically cleaned by a motorized scrubber. Whereas the UV Max and Sterilight units require quarterly maintenance, the UV Pure systems, on average, go years without needing to be maintained (other than replacing the lamps). 

So which system do we recommend? It depends on the application. If you are installing a residential rainwater collection system, and you want to use UV as the sole means of sterilization, we almost always recommend the UV Pure Upstream 10. This unit continually proves itself to be the best in terms of quality, and it performs at NSF Class A standards.

As always, thanks for reading!

Nobody Needs Zika

Experts are forecasting that the Zika virus, carried by mosquitos, has a very real potential of spreading throughout the United States this summer. Mosquitos' larvae grow in standing water, and those of us enthusiastic about rain barrels should do our due diligence to prevent mosquito larvae from growing in our rainwater. Here, I've compiled a list of ways to prevent mosquitoes from breeding, not only in your rain barrels, but also around your home.

1. Make sure you rain barrel has a closed top. It should either have a lid, or insect netting for preventing mosquitos from getting to the water. If you're unable to have a lid or netting, make sure to treat your rainwater with mosquito dunks that will kill the larvae.

2.Check the grade around your home for any low spots where water may puddle. Fill in any low spots with dirt and seed to ensure your property sheds water to the existing drainage.

3. If you have a pond, regularly manage any floating debris to eliminate sites where mosquitos could lay eggs.

4. Remove any old tires and have them recycled. If you have a tire swing, drill holes in the bottom so that water can drain out.

5. Ensure that your gutters have a proper slope so that water is draining effectively toward the downspout. Clean out your gutters regularly to prevent standing water.

6. Be aware of accidental rain-water collectors around your home, such as awnings, watering cans, bird baths, tarps, etc. Make sure to empty or change standing/stagnant water regularly.

7. If you have an ornamental pond, be sure to stock it with fish to eat the larvae.

Nobody needs zika, let us do our part to help stop the spread.

Colorado Legalizes Rain Barrels

Rainwater collection is now legal throughout the United States. Colorado Governor, John Hickenlooper, recently signed a new law allowing Colorado residents to have two rain barrels on their property, holding up to 110 gallons. It would seem intuitive to many people that rain that falls on your property should be your water to use, should you choose to collect it. However, it had been technically illegal in Colorado for many years based on archaic water laws. The gist of the existing law was that collecting rainwater on your property prevented said water from reaching farmers and other water rights holders.  And in a state like Colorado, where drought is common, a farmers' concern is understandable. However, there are many reasons why allowing rain barrels may be beneficial for both residents and farmers.

Owning a rain barrel fosters a sense of water conservation. When irrigating a garden with a rain barrel, one becomes acutely aware of the amount of water being used and considers efficient ways to water such as drip line or soaker hose kits. When one irrigates from their house spigot, the amount of water being used is harder to quantify, and one is likely to over-water.

This mindset of conservation is what Colorado lawmakers are hoping to to cultivate by passing the new law allowing rain barrels. It is best for the entire community, both residents and farmers, when the general public is cognizant of their personal water-usage and takes steps to efficiently use their water.

Rainwater collection has already become popular in many other states, and is even encouraged by local governments. Colorado may be a little late to the game, but we're glad they're finally here.

Components for a 5500-Gallon Underground Rainwater System for Drinking

Ever wondered what you'd need to convert collected rain water into usable potable drinking water for your household? Below is an average parts and materials cost for 5500 gallon residential drinking water system. If you interested in utilizing rain water for drinking water (and any other uses) for your household, this gives you an idea of the materials you'd need and the cost it would take.

• 1 5500 gallon precast concrete cistern - $3,844.00
• 1 Wisy Vortex Filter w/ extension - 996.20
• 1 Franklin 10GPM 1/2HP 115V Submersible Cistern Pump - $349.95
• 1 Pressure Tank - $174.00
• 1 Pump Control Kit/Tank Tee Kit - $88.00
• 1 10" Cartridge Filter Housings - $20.00
• 4 Sediment Filters, 10" x 2.5", 20 micron - $22.00 
• 1 18GPM Viqua Plus Series UV System - $875.00
• 1 Pentek 3G Standard 20" Clear Filter Housing - $65.00
• 4 Carbon block filters, 20" x 2.5", 5 micron - $96.00
• 1 Tank Gauge - Tank Level Monitor - $24.95
• 1 Mozzie Stoppa Hi-Flow 4" Flap Valve - $12.00
• 1 Brass Check Valve - $21.50
• 1 Pitless Adapter - $45.80
• 1 Submersible Wire Splice Kit - $4.10 

As you can tell, a lot of parts and supplies are needed for a complete home drinking system. The above list totals roughly $6,660. You will then still need pipe (to carry water from your downspouts to your tank and then to an overflow), water line (to connect from the pump inside the cistern to your house supply), wire (to wire your pump to your panel), excavation work, and backfill gravel (to create a base in the excavated pit for the tank and to backfill around the tank). 

While the supplies listed do not include the cost of labor, it hopefully provides you with an overview of the types of materials that go into a complete installation of a residential drinking water system.