Rainwater or stormwater harvesting is not a new process. It has been practiced for hundreds of years. This form of water collection is used in remote areas where water cannot be easily accessed. The practice continues to increase in popularity as both homeowners and businesses can no longer rely on groundwater to meet all their water needs. This is especially true in drought-prone areas.
How the Water Is Harvested
Stormwater is harvested by first collecting the water in large concrete water tanks. It is then stored until it is needed. In many cases, the water is directly used, thereby bypassing the need for purification or filtration.
A Better Way to Save Money
One of the major benefits associated with harvesting stormwater is that the water is free. In turn, you can drastically cut the costs of yearly water usage. This type of savings can be dramatic, especially if you need to harvest the stormwater for a large garden or for an agricultural enterprise.
Easy to Install
You will find that a stormwater harvesting system is easy to install. All you need are storage tanks and a basic tap or pipe system to direct the collected water to a designated area. One of the popular ways to collect rainwater is to use the roof gutters and direct the runoff into a storage tank. The process is therefore pretty clear-cut conceptually.
Free of Minerals and Toxins
You can harvest stormwater for one of various purposes. When rainwater is harvested in this manner, you will receive a water supply that is free of minerals and toxins. In turn, you can use the water for watering a garden, washing a car, filling up a pond, or other related household tasks.
Why Rainwater Harvestings Makes Sense
By using harvested stormwater, you can reduce the carbon footprint and therefore help the environment. Using water that is clean and potable to flush a toilet or to water a garden is not a sustainable practice with respect to eco-friendliness. Instead, the clean and potable water should be used for cooking and drinking. You can use the harvested rainwater for other purposes.
A Contaminant-Free Water Supply
What most people like about harvesting and storing stormwater is that the water can be used in irrigation systems. Therefore, this is a great way to provide water for an agricultural operation. Plus, the collected water is free of the chemicals that are often found in many ground water sources.
Better Water Management
If you use stormwater for irrigation, you also reduce problems with flooding as the collection process reduces run-offs during heavy rainfalls. Soil erosion is decreased as well. Because the population continues to grow, water is being used at a higher rate. As a result, groundwater sources cannot accommodate everyone’s water needs. That is why harvesting stormwater is so practical. Using a harvested supply of rainwater means less water waste and better water management.
Environmentally Friendly
When you concentrate on harvesting stormwater either on a large or small scale, you will find that this type of water process is both environmentally friendly and positive. If you want to make the most of your irrigational practices or other water supply needs, installing a water tank for harvesting is a good idea.