RMS Design Guide
RMS provides comprehensive rainwater harvesting systems and solutions for residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural projects. Also offered are expert design and consulting services, collaborating with development, engineering, and architectural firms that require specialized rainwater and stormwater management system design expertise.
Full Turnkey Services
- Feasibility studies including ROIs, tank sizing, and more
- Selecting treatment equipment, pump, and other integral equipment
- System integration
- 2D and 3D AutoCAD drawings
- Written specifications for standard, custom, and system-specific designs
- Retrofitting to existing buildings
- Start-up, commissioning, and training services support
RMS designs and builds custom treatment skids, pump skids, and controls
From Inception
To Design
To Production
Application Design
RMS has extensive experience in designing rainwater harvesting systems for a variety of water re-use applications such as:
- Toilet Flushing
- Cooling Tower Make-Up
- Vehicle Washing
- Irrigation
- Fire Suppression
- Laundry
- Process Water
- Pool/Pond Filling
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
- 740,000 square foot event arena
- Hosts NHL Seattle Kraken, WNBA Seattle Storm, and live music/events
- “Rain to Rink” system designed to use rainwater for the ice rink, toilet flushing, and building washing.
- Pre-filtered by one WISY WFF300 vortex filter
- 15,000-gallon custom order fiberglass tank
- 25-gpm water filtration skid
- Capable of providing approximately 855,000 gallons of water annually
Fralin Biomedical Research Center at Virginia Tech Carillion, Roanoke, VA
- 145,000 square foot LEED Silver certified medical research facility owned by Virginia Tech
- Harvested rainwater is used for toilet flushing and outdoor irrigation
- Pre-filtered by two WISY WFF300 vortex filters
- 25,000-gallon concrete storage tank
- RMS three-stage water filtration skid
System Overview
The equipment for the filtration packages has been selected based on flow-rate capacity. As such, each package is named by the maximum flow rate capacity. Standard filtration packages range from 25 gallons per minute to 200 gallons per minute, available in 25 GPM increments. Maximum operating pressure is to be 125 PSI, with minimal operating pressure to be 30 PSI.
In applications which require higher flow rates and/or higher pressures at the end use, it is recommended to use a “Day Tank'” system. A transfer pump will pump water from the primary cistern, through the filtration skid, for storage in a smaller day tank. A booster pump can then draw water from the day tank and send it to the end use at the required flow rate and/or pressure. Filtration skids should not be placed on the suction side of booster pumps.
Pre-Filtration
Storage Tank
Treatment Skid
Day Tank
Pump Skid
4 Step System
RMS has identified the WISY 4-Step System as the ideal method for rainwater harvesting.
Pre-filtration reduces the amount of debris in the tank, promotes a healthy tank environment, and reduces system maintenance.
A smoothing inlet gently guides water into the tank to avoid disturbing settled particles.
Floating intakes draw water from just below the surface, where the water is cleanest. This reduces wear and tear on the pump and treatment system.
The overflow protection device skims the water’s surface to remove floating particles
Pre-Tank Filtration
Pre-tank filtration is the first step of the 4-step system. A pre-tank water harvesting filter has one inlet, a filtered water outlet and a debris/overflow outlet. These low maintenance filters prevent unfiltered water from entering the storage system. Pre-filtration devices reduce the amount of debris entering the tank, promote a healthy tank environment, and reduced system maintenance.
The polyethylene construction allows for direct burial. Load rated lids are available. Above grade installation is possible with available mounting brackets. Pressure rated stainless steel units are also available.
4" WFF 100
6" WFF 150
12" WFF 300
380-micron filtration from up to 32,000 ft2
Stainless Steel Variants
For pressurized applications
Pre-tank filters do not allow debris larger than 400 microns to enter the tank under any circumstances. Pre-tank filters are highly efficient when sized correctly, generally with approximately 95% of water being sent to storage. The pre-tank filters are sized based on the catchment area and rainfall data for the specific location.
High Volume (HV) Filters
RMS HV pre-tank filters are designed to filter high volumes of water from roof areas up to 200,000 square feet. Sizes range from 6″ to 24″ with bottom and side filtered water outlets available. These products are available with slip fittings or flange fittings. Optional spray nozzles clean the filter element. Multiple levels of sediment removal are offered. Direct burial options are available.
Storage Options
RMS works with leading tank providers across the country to ensure that the tank will meet the project’s requirements. RMS can manufacture tanks for custom applications where dimensions and atypical fittings may be a factor. A variety of storage tanks are available in above and below-ground applications with materials of construction including:
Corrugated and Smooth Wall Metal
Fiberglass
Polyethylene
HDPE Pipe
Concrete
Modular Tanks
Tank Sizing
RMS utilizes proprietary tank sizing software to identify the appropriately sized tank to ensure the proper amount of storage, allow for system overflow to promote water quality, and reduce costs when possible.
Tank Accessories
RMS provides tank accessories that help to optimize water quality, monitor tank conditions, and regulate pump activity.
Smoothing Inlet
- Minimizes turbulence from incoming rainwater
- Oxygenates the water to optimize water quality
- Available in 4″ and 8″ inlet sizes
Floating Intake
- Draws water from just below the surface, where the water is cleanest
- Available in 1″, 1-1/4″, and 2″ intake with 1,200-micron or 300-micron filtration
Overflow Device
Skims and removes floating particles from the water’s surface
Designed to prevent vermin, backflows, and storm drain odors from entering the tank
Available in 4″ and 8″ inlet
Additional Accessories:
- Level sensors monitor and report the volume of available water in the tank
- Float trees anchor multiple float switches at different depths within the tank to activate pump / domestic backup functions
Pumping Systems
RMS has pumps to meet a wide variety of horsepower, flow, pressure/TDH, and voltage demands for your project requirements. RMS also builds custom, manufacturer- approved cooling jackets to house large pumps and motors.
- Booster/jet
- Submersible
- Recirculation
- Centrifugal
Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
RMS has partnered with industry leaders to develop a variable frequency drive (VFD) specifically for water harvesting. A variable frequency drive reduces energy spikes by powering the motor at an adjustable rate. A VFD reduces wear and tear on your pump motor and provides more consistency on pressure/flow output from the pump. A custom macro in the VFD reduces on-site start-up to merely setting desired pressure.
Booster Pump Skids
In addition to standard transfer pumps, which deliver water to a day tank or to end use, RMS offers booster pump skids designed to increase flow or pressure when desired. These powerful booster pumps are ideal for applications where higher pressure or flow rates are essential. Booster pump skids are also the perfect solution for flooded-suction applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliable water distribution even in challenging conditions.
Additional Pump Solutions
RMS offers several additional pump solutions to meet necessary design requirements. These include:
- Sump pumps
- Dry pit pumps
- Injection pumps
- Aeration pumps
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