Rain Water Harvesting FAQ

What is rainwater harvesting?

Rainwater harvesting is the idea of capturing stormwater runoff and using it in place of a city or well water supply. Typically, water is captured from a rooftop and stored in a cistern for use.

How can I use harvested rainwater?

Water for gardening
Crop irrigation
Vehicle washing
Toilet flushing
Clothes washing
Drinking water (with special treatment)

What are the benefits of rainwater harvesting?

Runoff volume reduction
Reduction in pollutant load
Monetary savings on water use
Reduced demand on water supplies

Are there any limitations?

Because a rainwater harvesting system depends on rainfall to recharge, a backup water supply may be required for some applications.
Water must be treated for many home uses (ex: drinking water, washing dishes, etc.)
A separate plumbing network is needed to keep harvested rainwater from mixing with city or well water.

How can I improve the appearance of the cistern?

A cistern can be virtually invisible when installed underground.
Cisterns can also be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and wood.

What’s the difference between a rainwater harvesting system and a rain barrel?

While both of these systems capture rainwater, the small size of a rain barrel greatly limits its practicality when compared with a rainwater harvesting system.
Most rain barrel volumes are exceeded during even small rainfall events and only provide enough storage for casual uses.

How much water could I actually save?

You can use a garden water meter, available from many online retailers for around $10, to monitor your current water usage for tasks that could be supplied by a water harvesting system.

Can I use harvested rainwater to irrigate during mandatory water restrictions?

Because irrigation with a rainwater harvesting system does not rely upon municipal water sources, it may be exempt from mandatory water restrictions.