At the Virginia Sustainable Building Network (VSBN) 10th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting on June 15th, David Crawford, on behalf of Rainwater System, Inc. received the 2005 Green Innovation Business Award. 150 attendees gathered at The Jefferson Hotel in Richmond to commemorate “A Decade of Greening Virginia.” Ten Virginia companies were given awards recognizing their contributions to environmentally sound building and development practices.

Rainwater Systems was awarded this honor for making an impact in the Commonwealth of Virginia through the following initiatives:

o In Radford, Virginia, Rainwater Systems analyzed the rain water runoff issues of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center and helped to design and implement a plan that practically eliminated water run-off and reduced municipal water usage by 6 million gallons per year. The reduction, in the cost of municipal water alone, allowed the hospital to realize a return on investment in less than two years.

o Rainwater Systems client, Eggleston Services, a non-profit organization in Norfolk, Virginia, dedicated to providing work opportunities for people with severe disabilities, operates a 34,000 square foot laundry facility. Rainwater Systems designed and built a system that channeled rain water from the roof to a group of storage tanks, that use the rain water for laundry operation, building maintenance, ambient energy to heat the wash water, and fuel for the steam-heated ironers.

Earlier this year, Rain Water System, Inc. and Rattenbury Engineering, LLC, of Massachusetts merged to form Rainwater Management Solutions (RMS). The combination of the two firms has resulted in RMS becoming the only American firm to offer siphonic roof drainage as a component of rain water harvesting systems. The RMS expertise encompasses industries directly impacted by water management issues. These include:

o Commercial and Residential Developers

o Engineers and Architects

o Industrial and Commercial End Users

o Agricultural Professionals

o Local, State and National Agencies

As active lobbyists for the protection of natural water resources, RMS has formed a productive relationship with the Virginia General Assembly and various State Boards and agencies. As such, in 2001 David Crawford and his business associate, Ed Crawford, lobbied the Virginia House and Senate for passage of the first rain water harvesting legislation in the United States.

“Everybody is worried about how our water supplies are going to survive over the next 20 years,” said David Crawford. “At RMS, we are creating systems and solutions that will be beneficial for generations to come. I believe RMS will be successful if we leave a legacy and a positive impact on the quality of life; I believe that's what RMS will accomplish.”

The Virginia Sustainable Building Network is the only statewide organization in Virginia that brings together representatives from diverse sectors who are interested in building healthy, energy-efficient, environmentally friendly buildings and sustainable communities. VSBN promotes Green Building and Sustainable Development through events and training around the state and region, by providing technical assistance on Green Building design and operations, and has created an information clearinghouse and resource directory.