Frequently Asked Questions About SmartStorm^®

Cost and Sales
How much does a SmartStorm^® system cost?
Is installation included in the cost of the system?
What type of warranties are offered with the SmartStorm^® system?

Installation
What is the minimum size of roof needed for a SmartStorm^® system?
How many storage tanks do I need for my system?
Do you sell individual parts of the system, such as the tanks or the drywell?
Who installs SmartStorm^® systems?
What are the site requirements for installation?
What permits are required for installation?
How long does it take to install a system?
Can the storage tanks be buried completely?
What does installation of a SmartStorm^® system entail?

Performance
How much water can I expect to collect during a typical rainstorm?
How clean is the water collected in the tanks?

Operation and Maintenance
I have drainage problems around my foundation, will SmartStorm^® help?
What needs to be done to the system in the winter time?
How often does the system need maintenance?

Additional FAQs for Contractors and Developers
Can SmartStorm^® systems address stormwater issues for a new housing development?
Can SmartStorm^® be applied to commercial facilities?

Other Questions?

How much does a SmartStorm^® system cost?
The SmartStorm^® system will cost $3,000 plus applicable state taxes.  The system consists of two storage tanks (with a total of 800 gallons of storage capacity), a first flush device, pump, drywell system (approximately 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft), and a parts kit.  Additional storage tanks may be added to a system at a cost of $800 each.

Is installation included in the cost of the system?
No.  Installation is a separate cost and will vary depending on the site and the SmartStorm^® system configuration.  The typical installation cost for a standard two tank SmartStorm^® system is approximately $1,000.

 What type of warranty is offered with SmartStorm^®?
CRWA provides a two-year limited warranty for the storage tanks only.  The limited warranties for the dry well material and first flush system are two years and the pump has a three-year limited warranty. 

What is the minimum size roof area needed for the SmartStorm^® system?
Typically, the SmartStorm^® system becomes effective at approximately 400 square feet of roof area for collection.  Based on the rainfall collection formula, you can expect to collect about 112 gallons for ½ inch rainstorm for a roof area of 400 sq. ft. 

How many storage tanks do I need for my system?
The number of storage tanks in a system is dependent upon your water needs.  A standard two-tank installation provides approximately 800 gallons of rainwater storage, which is typically sufficient for most homeowners.  However, for homes with extensive landscaping and gardens, more tanks may be required to meet those watering needs.

Do you sell individual parts of the system, such as the tanks or the drywell?
Currently, CRWA does not sell individual parts of the SmartStorm^® system.

Who installs the SmartStorm^® system?
CRWA is currently looking for landscape contractors or general contractors who are interested in installing SmartStorm^®.   CRWA will be developing a list of contractors with experience in installation of SmartStorm^®.  If you are a landscape contractor or have one in in mind for installation, please contact CRWA for more information about becoming approved.

What are the site requirements for installation?
Obviously, gutters and downspouts are the most important requirements for the system to work.   Electrical power is necessary to run the pump and a simple outdoor outlet is typically all that is needed.  Otherwise the system is fairly flexible and can fit into most sites.

What permits are required for installation?
Local ordinances vary with each town, and you should check with your town building department to determine the permits  needed.  The most common permits are for excavation and for running an electrical outlet to the pump.  Currently, in Massachusetts, the dry well system is considered an underground injection well, which requires registration with the state.  The registration process consists of completing a two-page form and paying a one-time registration fee.  If you are outside Massachusetts, consult the state environmental agency of your state to determine if registration of the dry well is required.

How long does it take to install a system?
Each site is different, but for most sites, installation takes only one day. 

Can the storage tanks be buried completely?
Yes.  However complete burial of the tanks would make periodic maintenance more difficult.  An alternative would be to bury  the tank up to the lid edge, which only leaves about 14 inches exposed and with some creative landscaping (ie., shrub placement, stone walls, etc.) the tanks could be hidden from view.

What does installation of a SmartStorm^® system entail?
Each site varies, but installation of the system is very straightforward.   Two separate excavations are required for the storage tanks and the drywell using a small to medium sized backhoe.  The storage tank excavation is typically 5’ x 10’ x 4.5’, and the drywell excavation is typically 4’ x 4’ x 5’.  A trench is also dug between the storage tank excavation and drywell for the overflow pipe connection.  The plumbing of the tanks, pump, and drywell are made with PVC piping and mostly solvent weld connections.  Once all the parts of the system are in place, the excavations are backfilled, graded and re-seeded.  Contact CRWA if you have more questions regarding installation. 

How much water can I expect to collect during a rainstorm?
The amount of water collected depends on two things: the size of the roof that the system collects from, and the size of the rainstorm.  A simple formula can be used to estimate the collection potential.

Amount of Rainwater Collected =  Rainfall (inches) * Roof Area (square feet) * 0.623 gallons/cu. ft. * 0.90 – first flush setting (gallons)

where 0.620-gallon/sq ft is a conversion factor for cubic feet to gallons, 0.90 represents an estimate of water loss through evaporation, transpiration, and roof splash and first flush setting is the amount of water allowed to bypass the system .

For example, a house has 1000 sq ft. of roof connected to the SmartStorm^® system.  The First Flush device is set-up to let the first 20 gallons of roof runoff bypass the system.  Therefore, from a 1-inch rainfall, the SmartStorm^® system is expected to collect:  

 Amount of Rainwater Collected = 1 inch of rainfall * 1000 sq. ft. * 0.623 gallons/cu. ft. * 0.90  - 20 gallons

Amount of Rainwater Collected = 541 Gallons

How clean is the water collected in the tanks?
Because of the first flush device, and other filters in the system, the water collected is suitable for watering the lawn or vegetable garden.   The water is NOT suitable for drinking, because bacteria may be present.

I have drainage problems around my foundation, will SmartStorm^®  help?
Most likely SmartStorm^® will not be a solution.  While the system will store water from your downspout, or take it away from the house, most drainage problems are the result of a high water table or poor drainage systems at the foundation.  SmartStorm^® doesn’t address these issues.

What needs to be done to the system in the winter time?
Just prior to winter, the SmartStorm^® tanks should be drained by opening the drain valve in the tank.   This valve is left in the open position during the winter, allowing any melt water to flow directly to the drywell.  In addition, the pump is disconnected and taken inside.  Minor adjustments must be made to the first flush system as well.  The total time to winterize the system should only take between 10 minutes and ½ hour.  These steps are reversed in the springtime, to begin operation of the system.

How often does the system need maintenance?
The system is designed to require very little maintenance.   Monthly inspection and cleaning of the filter bag and first flush device is recommended which is quite easy and takes less than 10 minutes.  The gutters should be inspected on a yearly basis to make sure that they are free of debris, however the addition of gutter guards often makes this maintenance step unnecessary.   

Additional FAQs for Contractors and Developers

Can SmartStorm^® systems help address stormwater issues for new housing developments?
Yes.  The Environmental Protection Agency has recently put into place new rules (http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/swphase2.cfm) that require any development that disturbs more than an acre to have in place stormwater control structures (i.e. detention basins, infiltration areas, etc).   SmartStorm^® collects and stores roof runoff for irrigation and other non-potable uses, and any overflow from the storage tanks is diverted to a drywell, which allows the rainwater to infiltrate into the ground.   The diversion of the roof runoff into the tanks or the drywell will help to reduce peak storm water runoff created by impervious surface (such as roofs) in the development.  As well, within river basins such as the Charles River, new construction may be required to infiltrate all or part of the stormwater that is generated from a site.  Again, with the drywell system, SmartStorm^® may help to address that issue.  Contact CRWA for more information.

Can SmartStorm^® be applied to commercial facilities?
Yes.  Roof runoff volumes and water needs tend to be much higher with commercial facilities, therefore a larger scale SmartStorm^® system would be recommended.  CRWA is developing commercial versions of the system to handle the different needs of these facilities.  Contact CRWA for more information.

Still have more questions?
If you have additional questions, please contact CRWA at 781-788-0007 or contact Rebecca Scibek via email.

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