As part of our net-zero water system, the RWKC is designed to collect and treat rainwater for use. Rain from the roof flows into two 5,500-gallon concrete cisterns, which can hold up to 3 months worth of water.
The RWKC has a unique chlorine-free treatment system, which uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill bacteria and other microorganisms naturally present in rainwater. The system also uses physical filters to remove small particulates, and charcoal filters for taste.
Though this innovative system isn’t currently being used for drinking water due to regulatory challenges, we hope to use the harvested rainwater for campus irrigation at Hampshire College, reducing our reliance on municipal water.