Hugetz Residence

  • View of the 3,000-gallon tank at the front of the house.
  • Another view of the tank at the front of the house with the air gap.
  • Pumps to aerate the tank and to transfer water indoors to flush toilets.
  • Close-up view of the air gap on the tank at the front of the house.
  • 3,000-gallon tank at the back of the house. It collects water from the church roof next door.
  • Pool at the back of the house filled using harvested rainwater.
  • Award ceremony, Austin, Texas, February 28, 2013.

Overview

  • Category: Residential
  • Sponsor: Michael and Shannon Hugetz
  • Project Leads: Jim Schultz, W.E. Gilbert Company and Jack Holmgreen, Sparkletap, Inc.
  • System Location: 3205 Lawrence Street, Houston, TX 77018
  • Capacity: 6,000 gallons
  • Water Use: Non-potable (irrigation, toilet use, and pool)

Background and System:

Michael and Shannon Hugetz reside in Houston. To offset their increased water use from additions made to the house, the Hugetzes installed two 3,000-gallon rainwater harvesting tanks at their residence. One tank is located at the front of the house and the other at the back. Water stored in the tank located in the front of the house is used to fill an outdoor pool and flush two indoor toilets. When there is not enough rainwater in the tank to meet demands, city water auto-fills the tank. An air gap serves as a cross-connection prevention device. The tank at the back of the house abuts a large church building and collects water flowing off the roof of the building. The Hugetzes were able to convince the church to allow them to harvest rainwater that would otherwise have flowed onto their property. The harvested water is used to irrigate flower beds and the landscape.

Other 2012 winners:

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