Rain Water Collection Tips: Making The Most Of Our Natural Resource

Natural rainwater can provide an excellent resource for any extra uses you may need in your everyday life. It can be used for irrigation, livestock water, garden uses and even drinking or bathing water if necessary and proper cleaning practices are ensured.

However, when collecting rainwater it is important to be sure that no regulations are in place and that you are going about it the right way.

Benefits of Rainwater Collection

There are various benefits of collecting falling water, rather than paying for water from another source. For instance, rainwater is soft and therefore doesn’t need detergent in order to be used for general needs.

An additional obvious benefit is the price. You will usually have to pay for the collection or harvesting system itself; however, these expenses are generally fairly cheap and setup is easy.

These systems are primarily being used in countries, such as China, Brazil, Bermuda, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Senegal, etc. and provide clean water for basic needs.

Rainwater Restrictions and Regulations

It may seem silly that certain countries welcome large rainwater harvesting stations and even have laws that ensure they are installed on all buildings, while others regulate the amount of water that can be stored.

For instance, in the United States, laws and regulations are strict for how much rainwater you are allowed to collect without a permit. Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Ohio are among the most regulated. However, the majority of states have some type of regulation in place and some have even made it illegal to collect at all.

Tips for Catching and Harvesting Rainwater

With all the regulations, you may decide that is just isn’t worth it to go through the hassle of permits in order to collect rainwater. However, if you do decide to go forward with this, here are some tips to help make it easier and more beneficial for you.

• Be aware of the toxins that leach off of roofing materials. I would avoid asphalt shingles if you are planning on using the rainwater for watering or growing purposes.
• Choose your collection canister wisely. Barrels made specifically for collecting rainwater can withstand freezing, expansion and distortion, while trash cans and other garbage collection containers generally won’t.
• Be safe. Keep the rain barrel away from spots where children may consider it a fun water play spot. Don’t place it near stairs, etc. Additionally, mosquitoes and other pests bring disease, so it is essential to either install some kind of system to keep these pests out or purchase an updated system with these blocks already installed.
• Set it up off the ground. This isn’t necessary, but will make it easier to get to the spigot, which is normally located on the very bottom of the barrel within a few inches of the ground. Using cement blocks to prop the barrel up will make distribution easier.
• Keep gutters cleaned out. The leaves, dirt and other materials that often sit in the gutter can cause rainwater to become contaminated and unsafe. It is especially important to clean the gutters before a big storm comes through if you are planning to collect water during that time.
• Use the collected water wisely. For instance, you could use it for laundry or bathing if it is cleaned and stored properly.

These are just a few of the tips that you can employ to keep your collected rainwater safe from toxins and within the bounds of legality.