Rainwater harvesting is an amazing way to save water and money, and it’s also incredibly beneficial for your plants and garden. Rainwater is soft water (meaning it doesn’t have any of the chemicals that hard water does), which can be beneficial in a number of ways.
Not only do you save water from the reservoir (and money on your water bill!), but it’s also amazing for the environment. Over time, water can become polluted, poorly treated or polluted. With the worsening of climate change, it is important to know the benefits of rainwater harvesting and how to do it.
Collecting your own rainwater can decrease water demand from your local reservoir, allow for storage in times of need, reduce erosion, floods and save energy. In fact, 600 gallons of water can be collected with just 1 inch of rain.
The City of Houston Department of Public Works is offering a limited-time offer of reduced prices (45% off!) on a rain barrel.
So how can you collect your own rainwater? Take a look at these 10 ways:
- rain barrel : Rain barrels are a great way to collect rainwater and store it for later use. A rain barrel is like a big bucket that only collects rainwater. Whichever size you prefer, some choose to get a lid to keep other specimens out.
You can find affordable ones online and plug them directly into your gutter so the water can drain right away! Some people choose to take those with spikes for easier access to collected water. With a rain barrel, you can collect up to 55 gallons of water, depending on how big you get!
- Trash can: If you don’t want to go online or to the store to spend money and time looking for the right rain barrel for you, you can make your own rain barrel out of just one trash can! With the right size for a proper collection, you can have a rain collection system that isn’t too flashy and blends in perfectly. Check out this easy 5-step set of instructions on how to turn your trash can into the perfect rain catcher. !
- PVC pipe fitting : Ideal for watering a garden, this is a sturdy and easy DIY rain catcher. In 11 easy steps, you can find a rain barrel for under $100. The great thing about these instructions is that the author also details the mistakes she made when creating her rain barrels, so you don’t make the same mistakes.
- Water tank – If you have a large, flat area and are looking for a way to collect water, consider building a water tank. These can be built so large that they can hold up to thousands of liters. Underground and outdoor options can be constructed with plastic or concrete. A water tank is an efficient way to store water that will last through the dry season and beyond!
- rain garden – If you have plenty of land space outside, consider making a rain garden. A small sunken plot of soil and local plants can help clean up contaminated water that seeps into the ground. With water from gutters and rain falling into the garden pool, you keep the groundwater system healthy. Check out this great step-by-step guide on how to make your own rain garden.
- bladder tank – If you’re looking for a rain catching system that isn’t as obvious outside your home, consider a bladder tank. While this option isn’t something you can do alone, you can find it online for a price that fits your budget.
They can be stored in a hidden place under your house and work like a large Ziploc to retain rainwater. The bladder tank is basically a giant bag made of strong material that holds water on top of the roof or near the gutters. That way, when it rains, all that water doesn’t go directly to the ground and instead fills the bladder’s tank.
- rain saucer : This is a quick and easy method of collecting rainwater. As the quickest way to store rainwater, you will wish you had done this sooner. Imagine the discs as giant funnels that simply let rain fall into a reservoir to collect!
- rain stream : Originating in Japan, a rain stream is a common way to collect and store rainwater. Hanging outdoors with a barrel, pot, or just about anything you want to store the collected rainwater in, the water runs from the stream to the storage unit. Not only are they amazing ways to store water, but they are also beautiful to look at.
- Green roof : Green roofs are, as their name suggests, ways of storing rainwater on flat or slightly sloping roofs. As a waterproofing system, a layer of vegetation is placed on top to not only look aesthetically pleasing, but also take advantage of 70-90% of the rainwater that falls on them. By reducing runoff, they can also help prevent flooding.
- lagoons : Creating a small pond is also another aesthetically pleasing method of collecting water. By creating a hole in the ground about 3 meters deep, you can easily collect any rainwater that runs off. Popular in national parks and on farms, this is a great way to collect water.
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