There’s a trend called rainwater harvesting that’s gaining momentum. It is the practice of collecting and storing rainwater in containers for the purpose of using it for different purposes in the home.
You can use rainwater for many purposes in your household. For one, you can use it to water the plants in your garden. Rainwater is better than regular tap water for plants because the former is not infused with hard minerals, unlike the latter. You can also use it to wash your laundry. As mentioned, rainwater is soft, so it’s gentler on the fabric of your clothes. You can also use it for other chores like washing the dishes.
Aside from reducing your household’s dependence on your municipal supply, rainwater harvesting can also greatly reduce your monthly bills. If you were to practice this on a regular basis, just imagine the huge savings you’ll get. It also provides you with a backup supply in case of drought.
The idea behind rainwater harvesting is pretty simple: rain falls, it is collected, stored and used at a later date. With the advent of new technology, new filters and purification systems, there is a great opportunity for wide-spread daily application of rainwater harvesting.
WHERE Collecting rainwater can be achieved from almost any surface, but roofs are by far the best catchment option. Roofs turnout the largest amount of quality water in an efficient and cost-effective way. The quality of water, however, depends on the type of roofing material, and the amount of debris. Suitable filtration and a post-treatment system are a necessity when collecting rainwater for internal use, like drinking and washing.
HOW The actual harvesting process of rainwater depends on the transfer system. The water is transferred to the usual drainage installations of your facility. The most cost-effective harvesting systems use available gutters and downspouts to collect rain into a container. With an addition of a gutter cap system, they also serve as pre-filtration, which can reduce maintenance costs.
STORAGE When harvesting rainwater, you need strong and sizable tanks which are able to store large amounts of water. These containers can range from 55 gallons to 10,000 gallons, but all of them need to be structurally strong in order to support the weight of the water. To maximize efficiency, the downspout needs to be directed to a central location, where the cartage tanks are placed. However, the tanks should never be placed near utility services or septic tanks, as not to contaminate the water.
Have more questions about rainwater harvesting? We’d love to help. Simply call your local Lexington Dauenhauer, any hour.
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