The RainCycle Project

by Jalen Pekkala-Bitterman & Joaquin Toledo-Chae

Project Description

The goal of our project was to help provide a sustainable water source for the members of Zinsser Community Gardens through the recycling of rainwater. With the onset of climate change, we recognize how quickly previously reliable sources can be diminished, and thus the importance of supplements and backup solutions. In addition, we admire the communal aspect that the Zinsser Community Garden fosters, and wanted the opportunity to play a role in its long-term growth and sustainability. Unfortunately, we could not accomplish our original project idea due to limited space, and we were forced to spend the majority of the summer searching for a new location or alternative solution. Eventually, we were able to design and implement a passive rainwater collection and storage system through the use of gutters, downspouts, and rainbarrels for the newly built Greenhouse for Growth. The gutters were customly constructed to accommodate the unique dimensions of the structure and were sealed using an FDA compliant and NSF 51 certified sealant for maximum water safety. The entire building process was done independently, without mentorship or support from any experts.

Outputs

24+ feet of aluminum guttering with mesh covering to shield from larger debris
6+ feet of aluminum downspouts to transport rainwater to the barrels
2 rain barrels equipped with water level gauges and a total capacity of 100 gallons
2,500+ gallons of rain water to be recycled annually

Outcomes

As a result of our project, members of the Zinsser Community Gardens will have greater access to free, renewable water for their plants, flowers, and edible produce
Furthermore, our system will protect the Greenhouse for Growth from rainwater damage, which results in mold and erodes the building's foundation, thus promoting sustainable cultivation for years to come

Process

Researched project idea and communicated with a variety of relevant personnel to find a suitable location for implementation
Purchased necessary materials and delivered them to Zinsser Community Gardens
Measured, cut, and assembled gutter sections using a combination of screws and silicone sealant
Leveled and fastened gutters onto the fascia of the greenhouse; attached mesh gutter guard
Measured, cut, and installed downspouts to align with rain barrels; calibrated and secured water level gauges
Cleaned up system interior and exterior; tested for functionality and mitigated any minor leaks or other issues that arose
We will continue to periodically monitor and manage the rain barrels to prevent overflows as well as winterproofing the system to prevent damage

Lessons Learned

Time management skills: due to rigorous athletic and academic commitments, we found it difficult to clear time in our schedules when we could work together in the construction process. In the future, we will devise a more complete and structured working plan.
Increased Environmental Awareness: halfway through the gutter construction process, we made the choice to scrap and rebuild all completed parts due to concerns about the environmental safety of our gutter sealant. We learned to consider all options for building materials with a regard to environmental safety before using them in construction.
Collaborative Compromises: when problems arose–for example, faulty equipment, lack of materials, lack of construction space, time pressure, etc–we had to decide how to make compromises in the construction process while staying true to our original creative build design.

Students Involved

Project leaders (2): Jalen Pekkala-Bitterman and Joaquin Toledo-Chae
Total project participants, excluding leaders: 1

Thank You's

This project would not have been possible without Zinsser Community Gardens volunteer organizer Brooks Ballard, who generously provided the Greenhouse for Growth as an excellent location for our project
The Village of Hastings-on-Hudson’s Mayor, Niki Armacost, introduced the grant opportunity, answered important questions, and contributed multiple contacts and potential locations in the midst of our difficulties
Fellow Hastings High School student and friend Marcus Gelman leant an extra hand when needed to assist in smooth operation