Reduce Water Waste by Installing a Rainwater Harvesting System
Got a roof? Get a tank. Harvesting rainwater is a great way to conserve this one of the scarcest natural resources and save your dollars in the bargain.
An average family uses about 107,000 gallons of fresh water every year. Much of this is flushed down the toilet, goes down the drain or is used to water the garden. So if you have a house, then installing a rain barrel to reduce water waste seems like a no-brainer.
This spring many cities and communities all over the US and Canada are rolling out rain barrel and cistern programs. For some communities these are new programs while for others they are part of their now standard water conservation efforts. Many areas affected by drought such as those in California, Florida and New Mexico are offering rebates to jumpstart their water conservation efforts. For information in your area, contact your local water agency or city conservationist.
Many different tank sizes are available these days to fit either below or above the ground. They can even be flat so you can use them as a fence or under decks. Check out Aaron’s Rain Barrels for a variety of barrels made from wood or recycled plastic. Alternatively you make this a DIY project by setting out buckets to collect small reservoirs of rain that you can use to water your plants when rain is scarce.
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