Russ Batyi

With over 40 years experience in this highly specialized field we are pleased to have Russ Batyi service our clients. Russ brings a vast knowledge of all aspects of the trade as well having resided locally for decades knows the local water demographics very well and may have in fact serviced your residential or commercial system in the past. Russ is easy to talk to and always available to chat to direct to answer any of your questions and concerns. You’re going to like Russ!

Russ specializes in:

  • Deep and Shallow Well Installations and Repairs
  • Water Filtration, Installations and Maintenance
  • Well Testing and Reports
  • Pump Installations and Service
  • Annual & Semi-Annual Service Agreements
  • Rain Water Harvesting and Cistern Systems
  • 24/7 Emergency Services
  • Residential/Commercial/Industrial
  • Water Testing
  • Well Disinfection

WHY HARVEST RAINWATER?

“Rainwater is a renewable, sustainable and a high quality water source for home and commercial applications”

What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is a technique used for collecting, storing, and using rainwater for landscape irrigation as well home domestic services. When it rains the rainwater pours off your roof, down through your gutters and runs off into your yard or street. With rainwater harvesting your rainwater is collected in a water storage tank or cistern and stored for later use. You can also tie the home or buildings “footing” drainage system into a collection system as well should you have seasonal high water tables.

The practice of collecting and storing rain water has been around for thousands of years and is always growing in popularity throughout our communities due to interest in reducing the consumption of potable water and the inherent qualities of rainwater which can be hard to beat with perfect PH balance. It is appropriate for large scale landscapes such as parks, schools, commercial sites, parking lots, and apartment complexes, as well as small scale residential landscapes.

The benefits of harvesting rain water

Rainwater is a renewable, sustainable and a high quality water source for your home, cabin and commercial applications (view the picture below where we have installed a system at a mill, which is used to facilitate the bathrooms as well as kitchen facilities). Some of the benefits of collecting and storing rainwater include*:

  • Diminishing flooding, erosion and the flow to storm water drain by reducing peak storm water runoff in the wet seasons
  • Reducing water bills and demand on your community’s drinking water supply and well systems by using rainwater for flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering the garden and washing cars
  • Improving plant growth by using rainwater for irrigation because stored rainwater is free from pollutants as well as salts, minerals, and other natural and man-made contaminants, pathogins
  • Making use of a valuable resource that is FREE because let’s be honest..nothings free anymore!

*As rainwater may be contaminated due to pollutants, it is often not considered suitable for drinking without treatment and this can be accomplished by using a simple UV light for as little as $1,800.00 Installed.

Basic configuration of a Rainwater Harvesting System

The basic principal of Rainwater harvesting systems is to channel rainwater from a catchment surface (roof or other raised solid surface or other viable source of storm water), through a distribution system (gutters, downspouts and pipes) and then into storage tank.

The storage tank can be above ground or underground and can be made from a variety of materials including plastic and metal. Water storage tanks should be covered to prevent mosquito breeding and to reduce evaporation losses, contamination and algal growth. Rainwater harvesting systems require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep the system hygienic.

If the storage tank is elevated you may not require a pump rather operated under gravity pressure. Pumps will allow for a multitude of uses from irrigation to facilitating a home water system.

Below are a couple of recent projects:

Two 2500G Poly tanks collecting water from the building roof system have been installed on concrete blocks. This application stores the water which is facilitating two washrooms and a kitchen facility at a commercial property. The storm water is then passed through a presediment filter then polished using a UV sterilization light making the water potable. A small pump and pressure tank are installed to deliver the water source to the building and fixtures. Tanks can be installed above grade, below grade, in crawl spaces, sheds etc.

This a low maintenance system requiring the sediment filter changed every 6 months and the UV bulb changed annually. Cost effective and simple in its design. Total cost is approximately $300.00 annually to maintain.

well water filter systems duncan bc
well water filter systems duncan bc
well water filter systems duncan bc
well water filter systems duncan bc

RAINWATER HARVESTING SYSTEMS

Choosing the right rain water collection and storage system

There are several types of systems to harvest rainwater, ranging from very simple home water storage tanks to complex industrial water storage systems with high end internal pump systems. At Vortech, all of our residential and commercial rainwater harvesting systems have the same principal of collecting rainwater, but do so in slightly different ways.

How do you choose the right rainwater collecting system ?

Before you choose a rain harvesting system we need to start by determining your homes water usage as this is not a “one size fits all application”, we want to be fairly accurate. When you review your next water bill, note how many gallons of water you consumed. Then you need to think about how you will be using your stored rainwater. Some common uses are gardening, washing your car, washing off exterior paths and porches and other house and yard use items, etc. Finally you need to determine the square footage of your catchment area (normally your roof) as we apply a unit fixture “load” calculation which will include seasonal water highs.

The type of tank you choose will depend on the amount of water to be stored and the area available for installing the tank. The most important things to consider when choosing a rain harvesting system is that the system is sized to meet the water demand throughout the dry season and that the size of the catchment area or roof is large enough to fill the tank or as close to performing as intended as possible.

Read below to learn more about how each of our rainwater harvesting systems works and which one is right for your application.

Above Ground Metal Water Tanks

Use: Residential or Commercial
Material: Steel
Storage Capacity: 100 gallons – multi-thousands of gallons
Best Used for: Public areas where there might be risk of abuse / Locations where weather may be extreme

Above Ground Plastic Water Tanks

Use: Residential or Commercial
Material: Poly-Ethelyn
Storage Capacity: 75 gallon- 30,000 gallon
Best Used for: Residential use / More cost effective / simple installations

Underground Water Tanks

Use: Residential or Commercial
Material: Plastic / Steel / Fiberglass / Concrete
Storage Capacity: unlimited
Best Used for: Public or commercial sites / Projects looking to not be seen / Extreme Weather areas

Commercial Water Tanks

Use: Commercial
Material: Plastic / Steel / Fiberglass
Storage Capacity: 500 gallons – unlimited
Best Used for: Large commercial areas / Areas of possible tank abuse / Large storage capacity needed

What our customers say:

  • "I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Charles and the crew at Vortech. I have used their services on two separate occasions and both times I was impressed with their professionalism and excellent customer service. This is a professional, trustworthy, and reliable company that I highly recommend to everyone. They give upfront and honest quotes. They come prepared and their work is fast, efficient, and dependable. Based on prior experience, this is not a given in this industry. So before you go with the big name alternative, consider giving Vortech a call instead. I will never call anyone else."

    Nissa Bell
    Victoria B.C.
  • "Vortech Plumbing came recommended. I met Charles, we agreed on a price with no hidden fees or contracts. The following week had his two men at our house removing bathroom fixtures and installing a new Soaker tub and Shower unit. Drywall was completed and had them back to install the fixtures and trim. My experience with this company was excellent. I will highly recommend them and have to friends and family. An old fashioned hand shake style service is what we received. Such a pleasure to do business with. Great guys, good service at value price. Thanks again."

    D Martin
    Duncan B.C.
  • "Vortech was recommended by a family member to evaluate a loss of water pressure in our home. A broken water main was determined to be the cause under the concrete slab of our home. We had three companies come and quote the job. We decided on Vortech, their approach and expertise separated them from the others and was as well most cost efficient. My husband and I were extremely pleased with the outcome and professionalism shown and as such would highly recommend their services. Fast and very organized. Excellent job."

    Dorothy Walton, RN
    Duncan B.C.
  • Choosing the right professional for our large home renovation, including two new bathrooms and laundry and kitchen, we went with Charles from Vortech Plumbing. New to the Cowichan Valley we had no experience with trades and felt it necessary to phone our local municipality for recommendations as well asked others in the community. Charles's name came up on several occasions. A true professional with excellent communication and patience. The job was done well within our time allowance and the quote honored. In short a pleasure to work with. Vortech Plumbing will be plumbing our new home next spring and highly recommend their services and knowledgable staff.

    Pierre Dufour
    Cowichan Valley
  • I had a serious drainage issue on my property. I called Charles from Vortech Plumbing and Drainage and he promptly assessed the situation and provided a logical and affordable solution. What a refreshing change to deal with a true and knowledgeable professional who quotes a fair price and then honors it!. No surprises and no hidden charges. The work was done quickly and to a very high standard. I will highly recommend Vortech.

    Cathal Walsh
    Duncan, B.C.
  • Sometimes you just luck out... Having just purchased a new home in Maple Bay we had the very good fortune of being steered to Vortech Plumbing by a friend. We had a drainage problem and needed it fixed. At first, we all assumed it was a simple job but as the digging got deeper and the problem became more complex we realized just how lucky we were to have Charles and his crew working on our behalf. Charles and his men were excellent; pleasant, hard working, as tidy as you can be working in mud, and always willing to explain what they were doing and why. Charles briefed us at each step of the way and made sure we were comfortable with their progress and direction. The end result was much better than we had hoped for and we're very happy with the work and the clean up. I would not hesitate to recommend Charles and Vortech Plumbing and Drainage (and already have) to anyone in need of drainage or plumbing work. The problem will be solved efficiently, effectively and with open and honest communication. Have a great day Charles.... and thank you.

    Carolyn Daley
    Maple Bay, B.C.
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