The inventors of the popular RHS first-stage filter Gutterglove gutter guard are unveiling a ‘heated’ gutter guard that is the first of it’s kind in much needed icicle hazard areas of the world. This heated gutter guard, properly named ‘Gutterglove IceBreaker’, melts icicles, snow loads and ice dams on your gutter so you can finally harvest the melted snow in your rainwater tanks for later use. IceBreaker even filters out leaves, pine needles and tiny roof sand grit so gutter cleaning is a thing of the past.

Jerry Block's house in Monte Sereno, Calif., just west of San Jose, looks ordinary enough, but peek in his backyard and you'll see an elaborate water-harvesting system that will collect as much as 20,000 gallons per year.

Considering that a typical American household of four can use about 400 gallons of water a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and UNICEF estimates that a person could live off just 5 gallons per day, Block's storage system might seem excessive. But the green-minded retired anesthesiologist says the size and scope of his system -- four massive holding tanks and specialized rain gutters -- were determined by how much water he would need to irrigate an acre of land. His goal, he says, will be to store enough water in the rainy season to irrigate crops and produce food the rest of the year.  

Source= The Wall Street Journal

MATHER AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Wednesday that California will receive $260 million in economic-stimulus funds to improve its aging water infrastructure.

The nation's most-populous state will receive more than a quarter of the $1 billion that the Interior Department is investing in water systems nationwide. The funds come from the $787 billion federal-stimulus package President Barack Obama signed in February.

The announcement comes as California is facing a third straight year of drought and a double-digit unemployment rate, one of the highest in the country.

"The human suffering here in California is all too real," Mr. Salazar said during a news conference here.

"Farmers are not able to plant," he said. Workers in many communities and counties with 30% to 40% unemployment rates are without jobs "because of the fact that there are not going to be crops to harvest," he added.

Source= ABC30

In addition to more rain, Valley farmers want lawmakers to increase California's water storage. The farmers got an official update from the state regarding how recent wet weather has impacted the drought. The news is not good: we've gone from facing a catastrophic drought to a moderate one.

Acres and acres of farm land sit abandoned- not enough water to keep crops alive. Everyone from the farmer to the farm worker demanded action. Farm worker Sofia Chavez asked the State Board of Food and Agriculture for help, but Wendy Martin with the Department of Water Resources gave grim news, "We expect the next 10 days to be wet, but they are not going to be huge rain makers."

The ancient practice of rainwater harvest is uncommon in urban areas that have municipal water services. Traditional infrastructure treats rainwater as a nuisance that must be disposed of as quickly as possible. However, San Francisco’s Public Utilities Commission has set the stage for rain to become an important resource rather than a waste.

Confronted with chronic stormwater problem and a state-wide drought, San Francisco has launched a unique rainwater harvesting Picture Courtesy of SPUC Stormwater Management Program program. The city-wide initiative has all the expected features - discounted rain barrels, how-to guides, and workshops – but that’s just the beginning. Public officials have also laid the foundation for rainwater catchment to play a much bigger role in the city.

This year, the drought is more severe than ever. A recent press release from The Department of Water Resources of California, titled "Governor Schwarzenegger Proclaims Drought and Orders Immediate Action to Address Situation," expresses the seriousness of the situation. Check out the full article by clicking here.  With the rising cost of living and the health of the environment at stake, now is a great time to start thinking about not only conserving your water, but being smarter about the way you use your water.  Local water agencies have plenty of great ideas when it comes to being more efficient by conserving rainwater. To view some tips, check out this link for the Santa Clara Water Agency.

In response to the concerns of The Department of Water Resources of California, Rain Harvesting Systems has made a promise to provide assistance in any way possible. We will do this by promoting awareness amongst homeowners that collecting rainwater is an easy option, and is a great way to prepare for 2009.