How does rainwater harvesting contribute to conservation?
Written by
Tina Carter
Reviewed by
Prof. Martin Thorne, Ph.D.Free rainwater has been harvested as a resource that can reduce municipal water demands by 40% to 60% for outdoor uses. For instance, from a medium-sized roof, one inch of rain provides over six hundred gallons of water. This water can be used for irrigation, car washing, and other non-potable uses. This method of conserving water allows the treated drinking water to be conserved for essential uses.
Collection Systems
- Roof catchment: Channels rainwater via gutters
- First-flush diverters: Exclude initial dirty runoff
- Leaf screens: Prevent debris entering storage
- Optimal surfaces: Metal or tile roofs maximize capture
Storage Options
- Barrels: 50-100 gallon capacity for homes
- Cisterns: 500-5,000+ gallon tanks for large properties
- Underground tanks: Save space in urban settings
- Materials: Food-grade plastic or concrete
Distribution Methods
- Gravity-fed: Simple barrel spigots for watering cans
- Pump systems: Pressure for irrigation sprinklers
- Drip lines: Direct connection to garden zones
- Filtration: Mesh screens for debris removal
Recommended Uses
- Plant irrigation: Primary application for gardens
- Vehicle washing: Effective for cars and equipment
- Surface cleaning: Driveways and outdoor furniture
- Toilet flushing: With proper filtration systems
It is necessary to place barrels under the drain pipes before installation begins. Flexible adapters allow you to divert the flow of the roof gutters. All understorage tanks must be placed on a firm and level base. Preventive measures against mosquitoes require fine meshes over all openings. Most such systems involve only rudimentary handbook skills for their assembly.
Benefits of maintaining systems include quarterly gutter cleaning to remove leaves and other debris, seasonal inspections of tanks to check for algae, growth, or damage, and winter preparation of draining pipes in freezing conditions. Such simple care will provide decades of faithful water collection.
Important water savings take effect right after installation. Under typical use, a family saves municipal water and uses about 30,000 gallons each year. This helps protect local watersheds during a drought. Municipal water providers are increasingly offering rebates, acknowledging the community benefits of rainwater harvesting.
Maximize your impact by combining rainwater harvesting with additional methods. For example, use the collected water to create drought-resistant landscaping. You can also consider introducing a drip irrigation system to distribute water more efficiently. Cumulative conservation enhances water security for drought-resistant landscaping and saves your family significant utility expenses.
Read the full article: 10 Practical Water Conservation Methods
