Rainwater collection can help the environment by reducing the amount of water that has to be extracted from the earth or processed in drinking water treatment facilities. You can reduce your carbon footprint as well as your water bill by using collected rainwater to water parks and gardens, wash cars, and even as a source of water for household purposes after the water is properly filtered. The volume of rainwater that can be collected from a house with a roof area of 180 m2 averages around 190,000 liters per year, depending on the location of the house. The following steps will help you to collect rainwater in your yard.
Step
Step 1. Collect rainwater that falls into a barrel, large polyethylene tank, or even a wooden or fiberglass tank
- You can buy barrels at a hardware or material store, or you can make your own.
- Tongs are generally made of plastic and can be placed under gutters to collect rainwater that pours from the roof of the house. Gutters usually have pipes that carry water down. You can connect the hose to the plumbing valve and use the water for yard purposes.
- Usually these waterways flow according to gravity. This means that you have to use a pump if you want to irrigate areas higher than the barrel.
- Most newer barrels have covers to prevent mosquitoes, animals, and children from using the water. Water barrels must also be installed firmly so as not to tip over and spill the contents.
Step 2. Install a rainwater collection system
- A rainwater collection system (also called a “rainwater catchment system” consists of a large tank that is buried underground. The tank will collect rainwater that pours from the roof, filter it, then pump water for needs throughout the house. You can use rainwater to cooking, bathing, washing clothes, watering plants, even washing cars.
- This rainwater infiltration system is quite expensive and must be installed professionally. You should also have a pump or pressurized tank to drain the water from it.
Step 3. Create a rainwater garden
- Making a simple rainwater garden can be done by utilizing water that flows from the roof of the house or gutters. With this water, you can create a water garden or use rainwater to water plants. However, water from the rainwater garden system cannot be used for other purposes.
- You can also use a rainwater garden system to cover storage tanks as well as underground pumps. That way, you can use the water from the rainwater garden for other purposes, even for household purposes. These systems can be simple or complex, depending on your budget, and usually require professional installation.
Step 4. Use rain chains instead of regular gutters
Rainwater chains are a decorative alternative to regular gutters. These chains, which are usually made of copper, will drain rainwater from the roofs of houses through chains or “bowls” to gardens, buckets, barrels, or other rainwater collection systems
