RainSaucers™ debuts prototype “Two Dollar Tank” rainwater collector for developing countries

SAN RAMON, Calif. - Feb. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- According to the United Nations, 783 million people worldwide do not have access to clean water. Rainwater harvesting has the potential to address this issue but the technology has failed to gain popularity. Less than 1% of the world’s population takes full advantage of the technique. The major hurdle has been the high price of water storage. For people making $1-$2 per day, the normal price of a 200 liter barrel at $20 is still too expensive.

To address this issue, RainSaucers™ Inc., a manufacturer of standalone rainwater catchment systems, debuted today a prototype of its Two Dollar Tank rainwater collector. Made from heavy duty corrugated cardboard wrapped in a food-safe polyethylene liner, the 144 liter tank comes with its own 40 inch RainSaucer™ allowing for collection from either rooftops or stand alone. A debris filter is included with the system and water is dispensed from the top by removing the RainSaucer™ or using an optional siphon pump. The total cost to manufacture the system is less than two US dollars and it is expected to last 1-3 years. The use of flexible cardboard makes the system light (under 2 lbs), foldable for shipping, and 100% DIY.

The price per liter for the system is an industry first. “With a tank that costs just under a penny per liter to make, this system has the potential to finally make rainwater harvesting affordable for the world’s poor” commented company co-founder Tom Spargo.”We also put great thought into making it completely DIY since gutter installation and piping require skills that most people don’t have”. The Two Dollar Tank was made reality by industrial design students from San Jose State University- Claudine Zafra and Ray Chen, a former US Marine experienced in survival training and water issues. “I’ve witnessed first-hand how in spite of the abundance of rain in many developing countries, most people can’t afford to collect and store rainwater. I designed the Two Dollar Tank to be a simple yet elegant solution to the problem.”

The Two Dollar Tank is still in development. RainSaucers Inc. is seeking NGO partners to help complete the design and conduct user testing. More detail including photos and a Bill of Materials for the system is available at http://www.rainsaucers.com/blog/2014/02/19/the-two-dollar....

The Twitter hashtag for the project is #twodollartank.

About RainSaucers™ Inc.

Established in 2010 and headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area, RainSaucers™ Inc. is a startup dedicated to solving the world’s water crisis with low cost yet extremely easy to deploy free standing rainwater catchment solutions. In addition to the company’s US operations, RainSaucers™ Inc. has conducted field trials in India and Guatemala to explore the use of the RainSaucer™ as a solution for potable water in developing countries. RainSaucers has been recognized as a winner of the 2010 West Coast Village Capital program, a finalist in the 2010 Cornell Venture Challenge competition, and as a SoCap Scholar in 2012. The RainSaucer™ has also been featured on TV’s Ask this Old House, the San Jose Mercury News, TreeHugger, and the Survival Podcast.

Please send inquiries to the company through

www.rainsaucers.com/contact-us.htm