Wells Branch Architectural Control Committee

Transcription

1 Wells Branch Architectural Control Committee Rain Water Collection information and Approval Guidelines Rain Water Collection Planning Information Standard Rain Water Collection Approval Guidelines Weekender Express Rain Water Collection Approval Guidelines

2 Rain Water Collection Planning When it comes to deciding on a Rain Water collection for your home, many different things must be considered before reaching a final decision. It is definitely not something that can be bought on a whim. You will need to sit down and do some planning before you hit the store. By forging a plan, you will be able to get the best barrel to suit your needs. If you are not sure on the size that you should be using, taking a look at your last water bill during the peak months is a great way to determine how much water is used. From this information, you can determine its size. 1. Choose the Proper Materials One of the first things that you need to do is make sure the water you are collecting is safe. Your roofing materials and or gutters can make the water unsafe. You do not want to collect water if it has any type of lead-based paint, which is sometimes used in gutters. It is also important to take into consideration the type of shingles that are on your roof as well as tar and gravel. The safety of the water should be the number one concern. 2. How Much Water to Collect Your next step should be to figure out just how much water you need to collect. What area will you use this water for? How often do you have to water the area? This will help you decide on the size you need and the type that you may want to consider putting in. 3. Allocating Space Figure out how much space you have to allocate to your tank so that you can make a proper decision on whether you want a system that is above or below ground. If it will be above ground, it s good to take advantage of any natural high land areas if you can. You might have to change where the downspout is to place the tank in the most advantageous spot. 4. How often do you get water where you live? If there are long periods between rains, you might want a larger tank than you might if you lived in Seattle. 5. Providing a solid base to prevent foundation or property damage The base you provide must be able to support the weight of the system you plan to use. A gallon of water weighs about 6 lbs. If you are building a wood platform, the legs should be buried several inches into the ground with out setting on any loose materials and have strong compaction or concrete to hold them solid to support the platform the barrels will stand on. The use of cinder block is also a good choice where the top soil should be cleared to a solid level and gravel or similar material used to level the area for the blocks to be staked to support the barrels

3 Rain Water Collection Planning 6. Ensure a Tight Lid You need to make sure that your system has a tightly sealed lid in order to avoid invasion from unwelcome guests. This would include mosquitoes, wandering animals and even algae. 7. Choose UV Protected Materials Choose a material that is UV protected and be sure to have a mesh screen so that you can keep much of the debris floating around out of your water supply. 8. Overflow System Consider having an overflow system so that excess water cannot damage your property and cause flooding. 9. Final Touches There are other things that you should consider doing in addition to a rain barrel. This includes installing a filtration system for the water to keep it clean as well as the distribution of the water using pumps. You can see that there are many different things that you need to take into consideration before you decide to get started on your project. Once you have your game plan into effect, you can take action and then start deciding on just how you want to build it. References for more information (copy the link to your browser address line if they don t work from here) Landscape changes to your yard or public visible areas also require an ACC review in most sections of WB since it is a change to property and some sections have specific requirements. Covenants for each area of neighborhood are available for download at Click on your section on the map and the document specific to your area will be provided

4 Wells Branch Architectural Control Committee GUIDELINES FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION APPROVALS The Wells Branch ACC supports and promotes water conservation with the use of rainwater harvesting throughout Wells Branch. In the interest of maintaining property values of all our homes and the community, the ACC is operating within existing covenants that were agreed to with the purchase of your home. Rainwater harvesting equipment will be considered as any construction or addition to the property, much as an out building, storage shed or modification to the home and is subject to ACC review. Rainwater harvesting equipment may NOT be connected to the potable water supply without approval of the Wells Branch MUD. All installation of rainwater harvesting equipment proposed or currently in existence (unapproved) must be reviewed by the ACC and will be approved when the below guidelines are followed. 1. The total storage capacity of all rainwater harvesting equipment on any property cannot exceed four-hundred (400) gallons unless an adequate pump system is included for distribution or alternate engineered solution is provided for review. 2. Rainwater harvesting devices, storage containers, related plumbing devices and appurtenances thereto Shall be located within a fenced yard or the fenced patio or shall be screened as to obscure view of the same from adjoining property and the street, and such screening must be approved in advance. Shall not be located between the front of the property owner s home and an adjoining or adjacent street. The location of the installation is part of approval. Screening proposals should blend in with the property and landscaping and be consistent with existing home design. (New installation proposals should consider having the gutter system routed to the fenced yard area to help expedite your approval). As new designs become available that blend into the environment and are compatible with a home s exterior and landscaping, the ACC may allow a waiver to screening. Shall include structural plan to support the device(s) filled weight, following recommended manufacturer installation instructions and include insect (primarily mosquito) prevention solution. Shall not contain language or other content, temporary or permanent, that is not typically displayed by such a barrel or system as it is manufactured. The Wells Branch ACC wants to work with residents towards a successful solution supporting water conservation while continuing to help maintain the value of all properties in the neighborhood. When it comes time to sell, all residents should have the opportunity to receive full value for their homes. This can only be achieved by working together to maintain our collective environment and uphold the restrictive covenants we all agreed to when we purchased our homes. Please do your part to keep Wells Branch Beautiful and a Great Place to live. The enforcement of the covenants can be done by home owners, HOA,ACC or WB MUD. WB MUD provides enforcement to help maintain Property Values for overall area. Covenants for each neighborhood are available for download at

5 Wells Branch Architectural Control Committee GUIDELINES FOR RAINWATER HARVESTING EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION APPROVALS How to submit your request What should be included? A copy of your plat of the property (you should receive this with your closing package when purchasing your home) or a drawing of the property with the placement of the home, side fencing location, driveway and sidewalk that is prepared to scale. An indication of the proposed location(s) of the rainwater storage equipment and downspouts connections. A description of the planned equipment to be used with a brochure or documentation of equipment. A Web site where the detailed specifications can be evaluated is also be acceptable. Your plan for the installation. The type of base structure and materials to be used must be able to support the weight of a full container. If the base structure fails, it can cause damage to the foundation or have other negative consequences. How the overflow and intended watering connections be placed. This must include insect (primarily mosquito) prevention solution. Obtain the form below, and provide your contact information with name, address, phone number and address (if available) so the committee can contact you if there are questions or follow up needed. A member of the committee may ask to see the property or site of the improvement for clarifications Where to submit the proposal Go to and print the request form and mail or deliver it with your other documents to Wells Branch MUD, 3000 Shoreline Dr, Austin, Tx ATTN: Architectural Control Committee

6 Weekender Express Rain Barrel Approvals Wells Branch Architectural Control Committee WB ACC will approve rain barrel installations for weekender quick setup with following agreed process. Provided the homeowner follows the criteria, they may install the collection system and get the ACC approval AFTER setup within 30 days. It is important that the ACC approval is completed to protect homeowner from any attempted covenant violation enforcement. Requests that cannot meet these provisions should follow the Regular ACC Guidelines for a submission. 1. Front of Home - Resident may install a rain barrel up to 100 gallons of single (not chained or linked) container in the front area of home visible from neighbors and street with following conditions. Resident may use up to three separate rain barrels when following this criteria a. The selected barrel must be a style that compliments the home s color scheme (walls or trim) or be shielded in some manner with landscaping, fencing or alternate option b. The filling system must use existing gutter downspouts or flow falling directly off roof (like at the merge of two sections with no downspout) c. The base install for the system must be strong enough to support the weight of a full container of water. It needs to follow guidelines for eco safe system including insect control measures. d. Shall not contain language or other content, temporary or permanent, that is not typically displayed by such a barrel or system as it is manufactured. e. May not be placed on any electrical, gas, or water system easement. 2. Back Yard Resident may install a rain barrel system up to 400 gal system as single or linked containers for above ground gravity feed system. a. The filling system must use existing gutter downspouts or flow falling directly off roof (like at the merge of two sections with no downspout) b. The base install for the system must be strong enough to support the weight of a full container(s) of water. Must meet the guidelines for safe system including insect control measures c. May not be placed on any electrical, gas, or water system easement. Submission Process for Express ACC Approval. Take pictures of you rain barrel installation(s) including the base structure and downspout or feed process. Picture the intake area to show insect screening used and/or describe your solution. Fill out the usual ACC request form and title form Express Rain Barrel Request for <address> The requestor agrees to make corrections that the ACC may identify within 60 days of notice ACC will approve the final solution within 30 days of completion When the Express Approval may NOT be used. If a new gutter and downspout system must be installed as part of the rain water collection solution. (There is time for advance normal approval) Any underground rainwater collection solution. These will require pump systems that will need added advance review and consideration of location on property. (There is time for advance normal approval process) Any rainwater collection solution over 400 gallons of linked or single storage units. (Advanced normal approval process can be used for any more than a weekender project) For a solution where the requestor needs a review that may be beyond the provided criteria in this guideline.