The water tank is transported to its permanent home at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley. (Photo Provided)

The Marietta Noon Rotary Club recently completed a project that revamped how stormwater is collected at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley in Marietta, the organizations announced in recent press release.

The release explained the new system allows rainwater off the buildings to be harvested and used in the existing water supply. It stated the shelter’s water and sewer costs are estimated at $9,000 per year. The estimated savings are up to $5,000 for the Marietta Noon Rotary rainwater harvesting project.

“This is a truly win-win project that benefits the Humane Society as well as our local area. Reducing overhead expenses frees up funds that can be used elsewhere to help our local shelter animals,” said Tony Huffman, Rotary Club president and superintendent of the Washington County Career Center, said in the release. “Since the water needed is collected sustainably, it also helps lower the demand on our local water supply while reducing stormwater runoff that can impact downstream water quality. I have been absolutely humbled by the generosity of Pioneer Group and other local businesses through their donation of time, talent, and funding, to make this project happen.”

“Average monthly water usage at the shelter is 45,000 gallons — for general cleaning, sanitary, and, most importantly, kennel cleaning — so this project will undoubtedly reduce thousands of gallons of water purchased by HSOV as well as preserve clean water for other uses in our community,” HSOV project manager Leight Murray said.

Murray began looking for a site for the water collection tank in September. Marietta Noon Rotary purchased a decommissioned tanker trailer from the career center. Then Pioneer Pipe converted the trailer into a water tank that can catch rainwater runoff from the adjacent buildings.

The water collection tank, converted from a tanker trailer by Pioneer Pipe, is placed underground by volunteers at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley in Marietta. (Photo Provided)

The project also required tons of sand to create a foundation for the tank. The Shelly Company of Marietta donated 63 tons of sand for the project, along with materials and transportation of the sand.

“We’re proud to give back to an organization that gives so much to our community,” said Rick Kemper, operations manager at The Shelly Company.

The first phase of installing the tank underground took around two months. Numerous volunteers participated in the project and more materials were donated, including a large excavator by United Rentals.

“We at United Rentals believe in building a sustainable future together with our communities,” said Tracey Ayers, branch manager of United Rentals.

The second phase included installing plumbing from the tank to the shelter buildings.

The new setup has been in place for a few months. Murray said they are pleased with the outcome.

“From initial concept through design planning and project delivery, the Marietta Noon Rotary Club conceived and made this project happen. There are few local organizations that could make a complicated project like this one happen but Marietta Noon Rotary made it look easy,” Murray said.