About Us
“The quality of your water
is a direct link to the quality of your health.”
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Uncle Tilo's Clean Water LLC was started in 2017 as a way to fill a need in the community for Clean Water through education and service. In 2019, Uncle Tilo's Clean Water opened a storefront in Pahoa, Hawaii in order to bring Clean Water to the Community. Now, Uncle Tilo's Clean Water provides economically viable and environmentally-friendly solutions that enhance rainwater catchment systems for household use and consumption. With products and services ranging from Quantum Disinfection, water test kits, filters, and monthly catchment maintenance, we at Uncle Tilo’s Clean Water are doing everything we can to make Clean Water more readily available to the community. |
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Our Mission
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Our passion and core values provide the foundation for Uncle Tilo's Clean Water business. Our mission is to provide education out-reach programs for clean water. Deliver sustainable, economical and environmentally friendly water disinfection solutions to achieve the highest quality water for household use and consumption. Our goal is to provide a platform to which Hawai'i becomes the global showcase in Personal Water Sustainability. After all, the quality of your water is a direct link to the quality of your life. |
Innovation for Rainwater Harvesters Enhance Communities and Economies
Without Clean Water All Development Efforts Will Ultimately Fail
Community Solutions
Uncle Tilo's Clean Water LLC Business Plan
Introduction
Todd Lolla, aka Uncle Tilo, grew up in the Midwest and remembers harvesting rainwater on his family’s dairy farm thru the mid 1970’s. He is a graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines, with a BS in Geological Engineering, and excelled in his career in Arizona that combined both consulting and contractor skills. Some of his earliest projects while working for a civil engineering firm in Phoenix involved groundwater studies and the subsequent cleanup of fuel spills at gasoline stations. This eventually led him to becoming licensed as a well-driller in Arizona for the next ten years. His focus on groundwater issues moved him to later specialize in storm water management where he worked with state environmental agencies during most of the 1990’s to set standards for the protection of groundwater across the desert Southwest.
In 2009, he left the engineering world behind and moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i. His calling was to return to “community”, and most of the next five years was dedicated to being part of the maintenance department at a retreat center located in the lower Puna District. It seems fitting that his engineering skills are again being called upon to work with local water quality issues. There is a large demand for using rain catchment systems as a potable water source, both here in Hawai’i and around the globe.
In 2017, Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment was born to fill the need for both service and education involving one of the most basic of human needs, clean water for our community.
Issue
It was estimated that in 2010 as many as 60,000 people in the state of Hawai’i were dependent on rain catchment as their primary domestic water source, with the majority of those residing on the Big Island. The Island of Hawai’i, the largest and most southerly island in the Hawai’ian archipelago, is characterized by dynamic communities including rural and remote areas not served by municipal water. These communities rely on private or shared wells, water trucked from public spigots, or rain catchment for their water needs. Hawai’i’s population has increased steadily in recent years, and Hawai'i County reached a new milestone in 2017 when its population broke 200,000 according to U.S. Census estimates. These numbers reflect a 10% growth in population for the Big Island from the 2010 estimates referred to above.
Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment intends to serve this growing market by developing our brand through relationship building, positioning ourselves as a local expert, and a combination of educational marketing, sponsorship, and social media marketing to focus attention on the issues surrounding rainwater harvesting for human consumption and use. Available for well and municipal water resources. No more worries when we hear "Brown Water Advisory". As long as clean water is a primary source of health and well being there will be a need for Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment.
Opportunity
It is very important that those using water from a rain catchment system understand all of the potential dangers and benefits.
Uncle Tilo is the leader in free education as there are no government agencies overseeing the safety of private rain catchment systems. It is up to the owner or user of the system to know how to maintain this type of water source and use it in an appropriate manner. Rainwater harvesting has also been identified as a technology that communities across the globe will increasingly rely upon to adapt to climate change. With proper design, maintenance, and water treatment, a rain catchment system can provide water that is free of contamination; soft, clear, odorless, and suitable for drinking and other daily needs. However, improperly designed or maintained rain catchment systems may pose a health risk; for example via the introduction of waterborne illness that can be exacerbated in persons with compromised immunity.
Waterborne and vector-borne illness may be transmitted to users from rain catchment systems that lack appropriate system elements, maintenance, or from insufficient treatment of stored water. For example, catchment tanks lacking covers or with damaged or poorly sealed covers can provide breeding opportunities for mosquitoes known to be disease vectors. During the 2015-2016 dengue virus outbreak on Hawai’i Island, which sickened hundreds, the Hawai’i State Department of Health identified “uncovered catchment systems…” as a potential source of dengue virus infected mosquitoes and suggested essential actions be taken to control mosquito breeding in rainwater harvest systems. Other vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as the globally emerging Zika virus, are of concern in areas where mosquitoes may breed as well. Additionally, an invasive semi-slug found in Hawai’i, which has a propensity to climb up and into water tanks, is a known host of the parasitic nematode responsible for infecting humans with rat lung worm disease.
Without water we can't stay here
A recent journal article, Survey of Rainwater Catchment Use and Practices on Hawai’i Island (Donohue, Aug 2017), provides some relevant data. In this study, outreach was made to rural Hawai’i Island communities on rainwater catchment best practices, and explored household uses associated with these systems via a survey of 110 individuals. Nearly 90% (N=96) of all survey respondents used harvested rainwater as a potable water source or for bathing, and only 66% of those systems were reasonably expected to produce safe drinking water. Referring back to the 60,000 people estimated to rely on this source of water in Hawai’i from eight years ago, it appears there is a lot more work to do to ensure the safety of our community. Uncle Tilo has provided assistance to many satisfied long-term customers for their rain harvesting practices with our simple monthly maintenance agreement.
With the ongoing events of the volcanic eruptions and its impact on the air and rain, there is an increasing need, demand and desire to understand how to manage rainwater harvest systems for safe, usable, and drinkable water. We anticipate this need will not lessen anytime in the near future. Access to safe, clean water opens up a world of possibilities for community development, and the health and wellness of the community in the long term. Without the most basic element of life, water, all other development efforts will ultimately fail.
Solution
Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment is a significant player as a knowledgeable service provider for all those maintaining a personal water supply by rainwater, well or municipal for domestic use, whether it be for residential or commercial uses; B&B, rentals or local communities.
Our mission and leadership in the local industry is focused on the educational out-reach programs to educate the community on water. It began with 1st Saturday Free Education, now meets at the storefront in the Pahoa Marketplace. Four staff members are certified Project WET facilitators; teaching teachers to teach students about water, we support school fairs and community festivals and markets. Uncle Tilo collects for Pahoa Hazard Waste uv bulbs that contain mercury before they go into land fills and ultimately into the ocean. Uncle Tilo is a sponsor of the Adopt-a-Highway program; cleaning Highway 130 as a community fun-time event. All these activities has improved the quality of the health and well-being of our community. The long term rate of success is measured by the community’s need for clean water. The principle is simple: from the raindrop to your faucet the whole system affects the quality of the water you use, and ultimately affects the quality of your health.
Uncle Tilo’s leadership has proven favorably in the market as the Hawai’i distributor of the Quantum Disinfection (an out-performing alternative to UV disinfection), and together with Uncle Tilo’s own “Clean Water Filter Pack” that includes the Quantum Disinfection as a complete ready to use system producing 12 GPM of potable water with no power, we are setting new standards for the competition. Currently the “Clean Water Filter Pack” is produced in our home-based office.
To overcome operative hindrances we've hired office personal, have two field technicians on board, and manufacturing assemblers according to the demand. This is good news as it contributes to the economy and local employment rate by creating new jobs. We currently have a vendors such as builders, plumbers, realtors, current clients, neighbors, friends and family members referring clients to us for free education on clean water. YOU get one Franklin ($100.00) if they say YOU sent them and they purchase a Clean Water Filter Pack. Win-Win!
We assist rainwater harvesters to manage pests and microbes that can cause things like mosquito outbreaks and various health issues, as well as when there are natural impacts to the water that need management – like hurricanes, vog, eruptions, ash fall, and acid rain. We support rainwater harvesters with “peace of mind” when it comes to the quality of their water supply with Monthly Maintenance services.
The longevity of Uncle Tilo’s vision to provide economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions for rainwater harvesters, well water and municipal water users. Clean Water has no limits as climate change continues to strengthen the need for rainwater harvesting as a necessary component into the future.
Todd Lolla, aka Uncle Tilo, grew up in the Midwest and remembers harvesting rainwater on his family’s dairy farm thru the mid 1970’s. He is a graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines, with a BS in Geological Engineering, and excelled in his career in Arizona that combined both consulting and contractor skills. Some of his earliest projects while working for a civil engineering firm in Phoenix involved groundwater studies and the subsequent cleanup of fuel spills at gasoline stations. This eventually led him to becoming licensed as a well-driller in Arizona for the next ten years. His focus on groundwater issues moved him to later specialize in storm water management where he worked with state environmental agencies during most of the 1990’s to set standards for the protection of groundwater across the desert Southwest.
In 2009, he left the engineering world behind and moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i. His calling was to return to “community”, and most of the next five years was dedicated to being part of the maintenance department at a retreat center located in the lower Puna District. It seems fitting that his engineering skills are again being called upon to work with local water quality issues. There is a large demand for using rain catchment systems as a potable water source, both here in Hawai’i and around the globe.
In 2017, Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment was born to fill the need for both service and education involving one of the most basic of human needs, clean water for our community.
Issue
It was estimated that in 2010 as many as 60,000 people in the state of Hawai’i were dependent on rain catchment as their primary domestic water source, with the majority of those residing on the Big Island. The Island of Hawai’i, the largest and most southerly island in the Hawai’ian archipelago, is characterized by dynamic communities including rural and remote areas not served by municipal water. These communities rely on private or shared wells, water trucked from public spigots, or rain catchment for their water needs. Hawai’i’s population has increased steadily in recent years, and Hawai'i County reached a new milestone in 2017 when its population broke 200,000 according to U.S. Census estimates. These numbers reflect a 10% growth in population for the Big Island from the 2010 estimates referred to above.
Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment intends to serve this growing market by developing our brand through relationship building, positioning ourselves as a local expert, and a combination of educational marketing, sponsorship, and social media marketing to focus attention on the issues surrounding rainwater harvesting for human consumption and use. Available for well and municipal water resources. No more worries when we hear "Brown Water Advisory". As long as clean water is a primary source of health and well being there will be a need for Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment.
Opportunity
It is very important that those using water from a rain catchment system understand all of the potential dangers and benefits.
Uncle Tilo is the leader in free education as there are no government agencies overseeing the safety of private rain catchment systems. It is up to the owner or user of the system to know how to maintain this type of water source and use it in an appropriate manner. Rainwater harvesting has also been identified as a technology that communities across the globe will increasingly rely upon to adapt to climate change. With proper design, maintenance, and water treatment, a rain catchment system can provide water that is free of contamination; soft, clear, odorless, and suitable for drinking and other daily needs. However, improperly designed or maintained rain catchment systems may pose a health risk; for example via the introduction of waterborne illness that can be exacerbated in persons with compromised immunity.
Waterborne and vector-borne illness may be transmitted to users from rain catchment systems that lack appropriate system elements, maintenance, or from insufficient treatment of stored water. For example, catchment tanks lacking covers or with damaged or poorly sealed covers can provide breeding opportunities for mosquitoes known to be disease vectors. During the 2015-2016 dengue virus outbreak on Hawai’i Island, which sickened hundreds, the Hawai’i State Department of Health identified “uncovered catchment systems…” as a potential source of dengue virus infected mosquitoes and suggested essential actions be taken to control mosquito breeding in rainwater harvest systems. Other vector-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, such as the globally emerging Zika virus, are of concern in areas where mosquitoes may breed as well. Additionally, an invasive semi-slug found in Hawai’i, which has a propensity to climb up and into water tanks, is a known host of the parasitic nematode responsible for infecting humans with rat lung worm disease.
Without water we can't stay here
A recent journal article, Survey of Rainwater Catchment Use and Practices on Hawai’i Island (Donohue, Aug 2017), provides some relevant data. In this study, outreach was made to rural Hawai’i Island communities on rainwater catchment best practices, and explored household uses associated with these systems via a survey of 110 individuals. Nearly 90% (N=96) of all survey respondents used harvested rainwater as a potable water source or for bathing, and only 66% of those systems were reasonably expected to produce safe drinking water. Referring back to the 60,000 people estimated to rely on this source of water in Hawai’i from eight years ago, it appears there is a lot more work to do to ensure the safety of our community. Uncle Tilo has provided assistance to many satisfied long-term customers for their rain harvesting practices with our simple monthly maintenance agreement.
With the ongoing events of the volcanic eruptions and its impact on the air and rain, there is an increasing need, demand and desire to understand how to manage rainwater harvest systems for safe, usable, and drinkable water. We anticipate this need will not lessen anytime in the near future. Access to safe, clean water opens up a world of possibilities for community development, and the health and wellness of the community in the long term. Without the most basic element of life, water, all other development efforts will ultimately fail.
Solution
Uncle Tilo’s Water Catchment is a significant player as a knowledgeable service provider for all those maintaining a personal water supply by rainwater, well or municipal for domestic use, whether it be for residential or commercial uses; B&B, rentals or local communities.
Our mission and leadership in the local industry is focused on the educational out-reach programs to educate the community on water. It began with 1st Saturday Free Education, now meets at the storefront in the Pahoa Marketplace. Four staff members are certified Project WET facilitators; teaching teachers to teach students about water, we support school fairs and community festivals and markets. Uncle Tilo collects for Pahoa Hazard Waste uv bulbs that contain mercury before they go into land fills and ultimately into the ocean. Uncle Tilo is a sponsor of the Adopt-a-Highway program; cleaning Highway 130 as a community fun-time event. All these activities has improved the quality of the health and well-being of our community. The long term rate of success is measured by the community’s need for clean water. The principle is simple: from the raindrop to your faucet the whole system affects the quality of the water you use, and ultimately affects the quality of your health.
Uncle Tilo’s leadership has proven favorably in the market as the Hawai’i distributor of the Quantum Disinfection (an out-performing alternative to UV disinfection), and together with Uncle Tilo’s own “Clean Water Filter Pack” that includes the Quantum Disinfection as a complete ready to use system producing 12 GPM of potable water with no power, we are setting new standards for the competition. Currently the “Clean Water Filter Pack” is produced in our home-based office.
To overcome operative hindrances we've hired office personal, have two field technicians on board, and manufacturing assemblers according to the demand. This is good news as it contributes to the economy and local employment rate by creating new jobs. We currently have a vendors such as builders, plumbers, realtors, current clients, neighbors, friends and family members referring clients to us for free education on clean water. YOU get one Franklin ($100.00) if they say YOU sent them and they purchase a Clean Water Filter Pack. Win-Win!
We assist rainwater harvesters to manage pests and microbes that can cause things like mosquito outbreaks and various health issues, as well as when there are natural impacts to the water that need management – like hurricanes, vog, eruptions, ash fall, and acid rain. We support rainwater harvesters with “peace of mind” when it comes to the quality of their water supply with Monthly Maintenance services.
The longevity of Uncle Tilo’s vision to provide economically viable and environmentally friendly solutions for rainwater harvesters, well water and municipal water users. Clean Water has no limits as climate change continues to strengthen the need for rainwater harvesting as a necessary component into the future.
Educating people to understand water has taken on new urgency
as global environmental challenges proliferate.
World leaders, academics and corporate executives are calling water
“the oil of the 21st century”—and unlike oil, water has no substitute.
