Background
Humboldt State University’s Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT) was founded in 1978, a student run home maintained and run in a sustainable fashion, by the students of Humboldt State and members of the surrounding community. CCAT incorporates a wide variety of Appropriate Technologies. CCAT located near the redwood forest of Arcata, houses three full time students and employs 18 students part time.
Problem statement
CCAT is in need of a more convenient and efficient rainwater catchment system and usage of collected water. Water pressure is also lower than expected. A current system is in place and collects a large amount of water, being used for drip irrigation and is severely under utilized. The CCAT house has relatively new metal roofs and rain gutters (2009), which can’t be altered so improvements must be made to the tank itself, inlets, or outlets.