For this project, we collaborated with a new homeowner in Raleigh. The property, situated in a lower section of the neighborhood, experienced water runoff from storm events through the yard and driveway. The foundation was beginning to show signs of cracking, and some areas of the gutters were overtopping, causing pooling around the foundation. A back garden routinely suffered from erosion and mulch being washed away from a shortened gutter.

Using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, we measured the roof to determined the volume of rainwater the homeowner could harvest. We estimated that a 1500-gallon cistern was necessary to reduce damage to the foundation. To minimize the cistern’s visual impact, we decided to strategically place it at the back corner of the home where it would be hidden from both street view and backyard sight lines.

With the assistance of the City of Raleigh's Rainwater Rewards Program, the homeowner received a full reimbursement for their cistern installation project. The project began by removing a shrub in the back corner of the yard to make space for the cistern. The gutters on the left side of the house were extended and connected to channel rainwater into the cistern. This cistern is equipped with a passive drawdown device, an internal pump, a RainBird pump control box and irrigation control system, and an overflow pipe. The collected rainwater is used to irrigate a herb and tea garden, promoting sustainable water use and gardening practices.

With the cistern installed, the homeowner has effectively mitigated structural damage from stormwater runoff as well as reduce the amount of water and sediment going into an eroding stream bank in the back of the property. They are able to then use the water to irrigate a small herb and tea garden.

For more information on cisterns visit our page here!