Texas Water Development Board
Texas Rain Catcher Award
2009 APPLICATION
Submitted by:
Physical Address:
Mailing Address:
Cell Phone:
Email Address:
Robert C. and Sara D. Moore
252 Retreat Drive, Taft, Texas 78390
PMB# 458, 1919 Highway 35N, Rockport, Texas 78382
361-230-3615 or 512-809-7824
robert2469@hotmail.com or robert@thesoilguy.com
CATEGORY:
Represented by:
RESIDENTIAL
R & S Contracting, Mr. Ron Dunagan, Registered Builder
P.O. Box 117, Fulton, Texas 78358
ron@rnscontracting.com ; http://www.rnscontracting.com
Cell: 361-438-0296; Fax: 361-729-5159
Extensive photographic documentation is available to support this Application.
This Application represents submission of two (2) separate systems on one property.
A. Irrigation Catchment Pond and associated activities
B. Potable Water Cistern and associated activities
SYSTEM A.
Irrigation Catchment Pond and associated activities (496words)

1. Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has helped conserve surface water
and/or groundwater through reduced dependency on conventional water supply systems.
Robert and Sally Moore are Texas Master Gardeners and Robert is also a Master Composter Instructor;
a certified ARCSA rainwater catchment systems professional and Master Gardener RWH specialist.
No municipal fresh water supply was. or could be available.
A RWH catchment system was needed for irrigation.
The land is flat, elevation 6.5 feet
above MHW connecting to the
shoreline of Port Bay at the
western end of Copano Bay.
Soil is 8.4 pH salty clay that will
supports little vegetation.
Underground water table is +/-6’ the level of the saltwater bay.
In 2006 a scaled layout of the
property was completed.
By May 2007 electric service had
been installed and a portion of the
crushed rock road constructed.
Irrigation needs for plants and
252 Retreat Drive - 2.45 acres – 150’ x 700’ Aransas County, TX
composting were an immediate high gallonage demand.
Ditches were dug and a rainwater
catchment pond was constructed
with 2 sections.
Excavation
limited to 5’ depth due to 6.5’
saltwater table.
Pump Head maintains pumping
depth at low water level and is
designed to withstand PVR forces.
One inch of rainfall produces
about 10,000 gallons of RWH
irrigation water into the pond.
Final calculations determined the
capacity of the pond at 77,500
gallons when full.
At average rainfall of 20”
annually, the pond is expected to
provide an adequate freshwater
irrigation supply year-round.
Pond excavation and Pump Head constructed
PVC lines and drainage ditches have been run from the pump head, traversing the property and under roads.
When the catchment pond is full, overflow is carried through a concrete spillway on the main input ditch to prevent
erosion. From the spillway, dual 8’ diameter PVC drainage pipes carry excess rain directly into the bay.
2. Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has saved money for the owner.
Rainwater collection in the RWH catchment pond is priceless in this salty environment.
Water delivered to this property
costs $200.00 for 1,000 gallons
(20 cents per gallon).
Expense for such delivery for
irrigation water was not within
our financial capacity.
Rainwater
harvesting
for
irrigation water is a necessity.
Currently the pond is full at
77,500 gallons – a value of
$15,500.00.
Before the pond was constructed,
irrigation water had to be
collected in 55 gallon barrels,
taking 2+ hours and a 30-mile
round
trip
(300
gallons
maximum).
Pond and Pump Head completed
Wholesale value of the compost for plantings already produced with RWH, is valued at over $3,000. Vegetation,
ornamental plants, trees and vegetables are being grown on a property where such was not previously possible.
3. Originality and innovation as evidenced by the application of new knowledge, new application
of existing knowledge, or an innovative mix of existing and new knowledge.
The pond system, with drainage, irrigation, and overflow and erosion control, demonstrates a mix of originality and
innovation of existing and new knowledge - along with innovative construction design and techniques.
4. Uniqueness of the system.
The Pump Head constructed of ICF is an original innovation necessitated by the PVR of the clay soil.
5. Demonstration of how the system has benefited the environment (for example, reduced erosion
or the threat of flooding) without itself adversely impacting the environment.
The pond now retains water that would otherwise have been lost.
The system aids in reduction of flood threat for this property and both properties adjacent.
Erosion has been significantly reduced.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
SYSTEM B.
Potable Water Cistern and associated activities (496 words)
1. Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has helped conserve surface water
and/or groundwater through reduced dependency on conventional water supply systems.
No conventional water system is
available to this property. A
RWH catchment system is
essential for potable water.
Drilling and testing a 30’ borehole
ascertained
Potential
Vertical Rise (PRV) of the clay
soil (swell/shrink) as 3.25 inches
– a critical determination for
design
and
construction
integrity of the proposed rain
water harvest (RWH) cistern.
Geotechnical report is available
for inspection.
Cistern was designed as a
concrete ‘barge’, to support the
concrete house structure.
Unusable well water report is
available for inspection.
Cistern excavation
The new home design is founded
(literally) on collection, storage,
treatment and use of rainwater.
Cistern wall/slab cold joint is
sealed with 6” Water Stop.
Cistern slab slopes to sump pit.
2,400 ft2 footprint produces
1,500 gallons per inch of rainfall.
In less than 3 months, 36,000+
gallons of water rainfall have
been conserved.
House is suspended over the
cistern, which supports the
million
pound
concrete
structure.
Cistern Slab with Water Stop & Wall Reinforcement
Eight PVC gravity-feed overflow
tubes extend from the cistern at
one corner.
45 degree angled 3” diameter
PVC downspouts are contiguous
with house walls and slab.
Entire cistern water column
illuminated by twelve 12volt LED
lights
No greywater or blackwater
house piping enters the cistern
House roof is 2” thick 7,200 psi
fiber-filled concrete coated with
waterproof Quikwall.
6” seamless powder-coated
aluminum gutters with eight
downspouts load the cistern.
Equipment to utilize the cistern
water is located inside the
home.
Cistern walls in place
2. Demonstration of how the rainwater harvesting system has saved money for the owner.
Catchment pond enabled hydration
to cure major concrete pours,
saving $200 of hauled water each
time.
The under-home concrete cistern
now contains over 36,000 of 46,000
gallon capacity - from rain.
Cost of the 36,000 gallons based on
alternative delivery expense is
$7,200.00.
Lintel Beams & Columns being formed
3. Originality and innovation as evidenced by the application of new knowledge, new application
of existing knowledge, or an innovative mix of existing and new knowledge.
The cistern system demonstrates a
mix of originality and innovation of
existing and new knowledge - along
with innovative construction design
and techniques.
Geothermal
cistern
design
controlling house temperature is a
creative innovation.
Cistern ICF is sealed with
waterproof Quikwall and a foodgrade paint-on sealant.
House Slab being poured on top of Cistern
4.
Uniqueness of the system.
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) is unique to this type of structure.
Design, construction method and process of treating cistern water have not been done before in Texas.
This is, most likely the largest
under-residence cistern in the
state, with capacity at over 46,000
gallons.
rainwater in our cistern actually
cools our home in summer, and
heats the home in winter.
Gravity overflow maintains cistern
water at 6” below house floor slab.
Overflow water is directed to the
rainwater catchment pond.
Entire 48,000 gallon cistern water
column is circulated, filtered and
aerated to maintain freshness.
Cistern provides 1.5-year underhome supply of rainwater.
Concrete Roof being poured on House
Cistern can be pumped dry via existing
piping and equipment.
Circulation pump piping is valved to
discharge the entire cistern volume into
the catchment pond if necessary.
Cistern access is via 3’ x 4’ aluminum hatch
inside the home.
5.
Demonstration of how the
system has benefited the
environment (for example,
reduced erosion or the threat
of flooding) without itself
adversely impacting the
environment.
Top of cistern is elevated to nine feet
above MSL.
Runoff is contained and regulated by the
drainage system spillway to minimize
flooding and erosion.
END OF APPLICATION
Cistern Access and Water Treatment Equipment
Note:
This document has not been ‘locked’, so you may copy the photos to ungroup/resize them if you desire to do so.
It was necessary to resize some of the photographs that were too large to send the Application via email.
The original (unresized) photographs are available. TWDB is also welcome to consider taking of new photos.
While we do authorize TWDB to possess and use these photos, we, as photographers and owners of the property
depicted, (our original design), retain the entitlement to also use these photos, as part of the transfer Agreement of
photograph property right to TWDB as part of this Application - and further, expect TWDB to cooperate, with regard
to use of these photographs, by any other notable publication (such as a residential builder publication).
This Application is sent to the TWDB via email to: iwt@twdb.state.tx.us
with “Texas Rain Catcher Award” in the Subject Line.
Upon receipt, please reply to: robert2469@hotmail.com that this Application has been received.
Thank you,
/s/ Robert C. and Sara D. Moore
Copyright December 20, 2009 Robert C. Moore