You probably know at least one person who practices rainwater harvesting/collecting. They may have a simple system like a collection bucket in their backyard for gardening. Or, they might have a complex contraption that allows them to use their collected rainwater for multiple purposes. Whatever the case, it’s good to be curious about harvesting rainwater yourself! Collecting rainwater can do more than just water your plants and vegetables. There are actually many benefits to this practice that you might not realize.
First of All, It’s Free!
One of the biggest benefits of collecting rainwater is that it doesn’t cost you anything. If you pay a monthly water bill, using collected water to replace any water you might use from a tap, hose, etc., can cut down on your costs. If you’re using rainwater for agricultural purposes, you can end up saving a lot of money and wasting a lot less water.
It’s also a clean source of water. If you’re using it to water a large garden or do any work outside, you don’t necessarily have to worry about any kind of filtration system. This cuts down on energy use.
It Has Multiple Purposes
Yes, rainwater is great for watering your garden. But, with the right systems in place you can also use it in your sprinklers to water your yard or do nearly any outdoor work that requires water. It’s perfect for washing your car, or even using inside to flush your toilets. Using clean, potable water to do these things is incredibly wasteful. Think about how much potable water you’re using on a daily basis for things that don’t necessarily need it? By switching to rainwater, you’re helping to lower your carbon footprint and utilizing a natural resource to its fullest ability.
Rainwater Conserves Ground Water
Some of our most precious resources are at risk of running out. One of those resources is ground water. Because of the ever-growing population and how much water is used across the world on a daily basis, ground water is something we severely take for granted. Our water sources are struggling to keep up. By collecting rainwater, you can extend the life of ground water and give our water sources a chance to relax and replenish.
A diagram to show the rain barrel set up
How Much Can Harvesting Help?
In the grand scheme of things, there is no ‘perfect’ way to harvest rainwater. You can do it on a small scale or large scale. Any way you decide to do it will add to the benefits listed above. You’ll quickly find that not only is the practice useful for your life and can lower your bills, but it’s good for the planet.
If you’re not sure how to get started when it comes to collecting rainwater, don’t worry! In our next blog, we’ll go through a step-by-step guide that can help you set up your own personal harvesting system. The good news? It’s easier than you might think, and takes minimal time and effort. Once you have everything in place, you’ll be able to collect as much water as possible.