Your RainGrid Cistern

Why install a RainGrid Cistern?

They help our waterways:

Stormwater picks up pollutants and debris as it runs-off your roof, sidewalk and driveway, carrying them to our streams, rivers and lakes. This dirty water is called runoff. Cisterns protect waterways by reducing runoff while harvesting rainwater on your property.

They help you:

The RainGrid Cistern holds 500 liters of rainwater (one of the largest on the market). Use the cistern to:

  • Protect your home from minor flooding.
  • Control stormwater on your property from your rooftop runoff.
  • Conserve potable water and save money.
  • Water your garden with chlorine-free rainwater.
  • Reduce stress on municipal sewers and infrastructure.
  • Protect your local lake or river from raw sewage discharge and prevent beach closures.
  • Discharge your cistern to a permeable surface rather than sewers and help recharge your source of drinking water.

What is the advantage of a RainGrid Cistern?

We're dedicated to creating an affordable, reliable, and responsible cistern. It is important to us that you receive a durable and long lasting cistern that works. We are committed to the environment and want your environmental efforts to stand the test of time.

Unfortunately, some cheaper rain barrels on the market are made with thinner plastics prone to cracking in the winter, translucent barrels have been known to grow algae, and not all are mosquito proof.

How do I maintain my cistern?

Drain your cistern before the winter and turn the dial to “bypass” to avoid water from freezing and cracking the barrel.

Clean and maintain your eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris, to prevent clogging of spouts or the barrel.

How do I order replacement parts?

To order another RainGrid Cistern, or replacement filter and brass drain valve visit shop.RainGrid.com.

Cistern delivery is offered in the Greater Toronto Area only. If you would like your barrels delivered outside the Greater Toronto Area please contact us directly 416-868-1983.

Your RainGrid Controller

Will my data be secure? What is the wireless protocol and security used?

With RainGrid your data is safe. The RainGrid gateway is a TP-Link TL-MR3020 router with a ZigBee radio integrated and running the latest version of OpenWRT. For your protection, the ZigBee communications are encrypted with a pre-configured link keys, and the router talks to our servers over Transport Layer Security (TLS) – the standard for online security.

How does RainGrid technology work?

Depending on the roof area of the residence or building, each property in a neighbourhood will typically use anywhere between one to four RainGrid cisterns. Across neighbourhoods or watersheds cisterns are networked by wireless communication to the central system controller which operates the system as a holistic stormwater storage unit.

Each cistern is an individual IP address that is monitored in real time, and which communicates its current storage volume and overflow data to a RainGrid data management platform. The RainGrid Inc. central data server then correlates localized weather on a five day predicted analysis of precipitation against available cistern storage volumes. Where the RainGrid Stormwater Smartgrid predicts greater storage is needed than is currently available, the cisterns automatically drain to ensure the necessary storage. Real-time commands from the RainGrid server to cistern controllers automatically drain each property’s cisterns and close the valve.

Cisterns are typically left as full as is feasible to maximize the amount of non-potable water available to the homeowner. System algorithms are programmed to drain stored water to infiltration facilities to achieve regional water balance goals. Individual property owners will be able to monitor/manage their property’s cistern water supply online and can utilize it as they wish.

RainGrid Stormwater SmartGrid

What is a RainGrid Stormwater SmartGrid?

A RainGrid Stormwater SmartGrid is a networked community of cisterns placed on most or all properties in a neighbourhood to manage stormwater. It helps you stay ahead of the storm by capturing 90% of your household roof runoff. We use real-time weather data to ensure our smart cisterns are automatically emptied before the storm hits, maximizing storage capacity. Residential rooftops constitute 45% of hard surfaces in a city, and with a Stormwater SmartGrid we capture that rain where it falls while keeping basements and foundations flood-free, and preventing city sewers from being overloaded. Furthermore, our system can be installed in days, not years and is available at less than 50% of the cost of traditional infrastructure.

Where does the water go?

There are several discharge options. Cisterns can be connected to household irrigation systems and utilized for lawn or garden watering to offset municipal supply. Overflows and automated cistern drainage are best discharged to a soak-away pit (French drain). The resident has the ability to use the water at any time they wish, however residents are not capable of preventing the system from automatically draining the cistern prior to wet weather events.

How much rainfall does a RainGrid installation store?

The system can typically store a 35 to 45 mm storm event (about a ‘two-year’ storm). This means over 90-95% of annual average precipitation running off rooftops within a RainGrid system will be captured.

Roof tops typically comprise more than 50% of the impervious area of any residential subdivision. RainGrid operates as a peak management mechanism, taking enough rainfall even under extreme 100 year storm conditions to allow downstream infrastructure to perform much better. Implementing a RainGrid system is also an excellent way to restore an urban watershed, as rainfall can more readily be returned to the ground where it went prior to development. This is very significant for water balance purposes and may be the best way to prevent erosion impacts to creeks and streams.

Is there a cost advantage to a RainGrid compared to other stormwater approaches?

Yes, in many cases. The straight cost advantage of installing a Stormwater SmartGrid (i.e. not including any environmental benefits) is measured in avoiding the costs of conventional infrastructure. Cost advantages expand exponentially when the Stormwater SmartGrid eliminates or reduces need for retrofit expansions of stormwater systems using storage in underground tanks, super-pipes or tunnels. The system extends the life of existing infrastructure, while avoiding noisy construction projects that dig up streets and cause traffic. Ultimately, it reduces municipal and homeowner costs.

What environmental benefits does a RainGrid system offer homeowners and the municipality?

RainGrid’s subsidiary benefits are numerous. A RainGrid system ensures a LEED Homes and LEED Neighbourhood Development leadership advantage in stormwater management and potable water reduction credits. Furthermore, homes that offset their municipal water use from a RainGrid system potentially earn greenhouse gas (GHG) emission credits.

RainGrid also future-proofs developments against increases in stormwater management regulatory objectives associated with USEPA Clean Water Act MS4 and TMDL requirements.

RainGrid functions as climate change adaptation capacity not only for developments but for individual homes. Homes with RainGrid systems are more likely to be considered at lower risk of stormwater damage from severe weather events.

Finally, RainGrid offers homeowners an opportunity to become more environmentally in tune with the water flowing through their properties and being part of the solution for reducing GHG emissions and climate adaptation.