Hennigan residence receives the Texas Water Development Board's Texas Rain Catcher Award

For immediate release. Contact: Media Relations at 512-463-5129

AUSTIN – (March 21, 2018) – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) announced today the recipients of its annual Texas Rain Catcher Award, a rainwater harvesting competition and recognition program. The Hennigan residence was recognized in the residential - single family category.

The TWDB's Texas Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the application of rainwater harvesting systems in Texas, promotes rainwater harvesting technology, and educates the public on this important water-saving practice.

The Hennigan residence in San Antonio, Texas, is a sustainable living demonstration remodel with rainwater management being one of several components. The rainwater component of the project employs both rooftop-capture and stormwater-runoff harvesting techniques. It collects rainwater from three rooftops and stores it in three cisterns with a combined capacity of 23,200 gallons. The water is then filtered, disinfected, and used as a potable water source for the home. The system is expected to decrease municipal water demand at the residence by 89 percent.

The residence also captures stormwater runoff. Vegetated swales direct runoff from uphill, adjacent properties into two detention basins equipped with sump pumps. The water is then pumped into two 30,000-gallon cisterns and gravity fed to another 10,000-gallon cistern where it is used for irrigation. Overflow from the potable system is also directed to the irrigation system to maximize storage.

The Texas Rain Catcher Award competition began in 2007 and is open to all individuals, companies, organizations, municipalities, and other local and state governmental entities in Texas. It recognizes entities and individuals in the rainwater harvesting community and beyond and establishes award recipients as dedicated water conservation leaders in Texas. The Hennigan residence is one of five awardees being recognized statewide this year.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, and preparing the state water plan for the development of the state's water resources. The TWDB administers cost-effective financial assistance programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and agricultural water conservation projects.