“Ground water is not a renewable resource; it is a finite resource.” That statement, made by Rainwater Management Solutions (RMS) founder and President David Crawford, can be defined as the company mantra—a constant reminder of a mission having a global impact.

Water conservation and management is becoming a worldwide survival issue due to: accelerating water shortages; uncontrolled development and population growth; aging infrastructures; growing agricultural demands; a general warming trend; and, the ever-increasing cost of, and demand for natural water resources.

RMS brings a common sense, cost effective approach to addressing the escalating issue of water conservation and management through its innovative rain water harvesting system designs and its experienced, knowledgeable staff. The combined expertise of the staff encompasses industries directly impacted by water management issues. These include commercial and residential developers, engineers, architects, agricultural professionals, and local, state and national agencies.

Dave, having worked in the health field for years, knew that large commercial laundries could use 50,000 gallons or more of water daily to clean hospital linens. Observing this and other examples of the growing use of drinking water in commercial and residential sectors, Dave became a strong advocate of water conservation and management. His advocacy, and his belief that water is a finite resource, led him to begin researching methods for conserving drinking water and utilizing the availability of rain water. Thus was formed the concept of a business that would focus on rain water harvesting and sustainable practices.

Using empty laundry soap barrels, he created a prototype rain barrel for use in rain water harvesting systems. After 50 or more tries, he succeeded in creating a system that worked. He advertised the system at a home show and, as a result, sold several large residential home systems. In December 2001, he formally launched Rain Water System, Inc.

In 2001 David’s brother Ed joined the company as Vice President Operations. Ed Crawford had been a public safety advocate for over 21 years, eight of which were spent lobbying on public safety issues at the federal and state level. Seeking to create a law in the state of Virginia that would provide incentives for rain water harvesting, Ed lobbied the Virginia Legislature to pass the Commonwealth’s first rain water bill. Ultimately, the bill passed; it has not, however, been funded.

In 2000 Dave met John Rattenbury, an engineer in the Boston firm of Vanderweil Engineers, Inc., specializing in process utility systems including high- purity water systems, USP clean utilities, compressed air systems, process vacuum systems, wastewater systems, water reclamation systems and siphonic roof drainage. As a senior engineer at Vanderweil, John designed a siphonic roof drainage system for the one million square foot, $450 million Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. This was, to John’s knowledge, the first siphonic system installed in the United States.

In 2001, John formed Rattenbury Engineering, LLC, and Dave began contracting with him for specialized engineering design services. John’s design capabilities addressed the increasingly sophisticated rain water management solutions being sought by the clients of Rain Water System.

Dave met Dr. Nickolas Sojka and his son Ben in the fall of 2002. Dr. Sojka was well known as a passionate steward of the environment, agriculture, and animal well being. Dave formed an alliance with the Sojkas in January 2003. The Sojkas’ background in agriculture and wetlands management enabled RMS to develop solutions to significantly reduce non-point source pollution within the agricultural community. Sadly, Nicholas Sojka passed away in the spring of 2003. Ben Sojka continues to assist RMS develop solutions for agricultural groundwater management and erosion control.