Rainwater Harvesting
When it rains it pours, and much of that water becomes polluted as it runs off parking lots and roads, and into nearby creeks and rivers.
Capturing rainwater and storing it for later use reduces runoff and conserves the public supply. It's free, and can be used without the need for an expensive distribution system.
Rainwater can be safely used for flushing toilets and washing clothes. Rainwater is soft water and prevents scale build-up on appliances. It can be used for drinking when properly treated.
Using rainwater to irrigate landscapes and gardens makes sense when you consider that up to 60 percent of city water is used for landscaping. Harvesting rainwater for your landscape saves on your water bill. It reduces flooding, erosion and the contamination of surface water with sediments, fertilizers and pesticides in rainfall run-off.
A simple water harvesting system collects rain as it falls on the roof and runs into gutters. Gravity carries it to a landscape holding area or a container such as a cistern where the water is stored. The water can be distributed to the garden with watering cans or a hose connected to the container.
Rainwater is good for plants because it is free of salts and other minerals that harm root growth. Harvesting rain water is one way to make use of excess rainwater when you need it and where you need it.