Water is an important element that is needed to be conserved. Humans, as well as animals and plants, cannot exist without water. It is a responsibility of everyone to conserve water in whatever way they can. As the world's water resources are slowly being depleted, a domestic and farm rainwater harvesting system has evolved to be one of the stronger practices that we must adopt.
Although water flows in our faucets, energy is used to keep the pumps and filters working so water can be distributed to our homes. By harvesting rainwater, we also indirectly save on our energy consumption. Rainwater is free and in most cases, just drains into the soil.
Harvesting the rainwater starts with the collection process. Residential house dwellers can collect water from their roof by simply placing containers in the run offs. When gutters are available, the barrel can be placed under the spouts. The barrels or containers can also be left in the open spaces where the rain can fill them up. Large water tanks for use in the farms and gardens can be opened when it is raining. These tanks can be strategically located in the gardens and farms where it will be used.
The water container must be closed when it is full or when not in use. This will prevent insects and animals thriving in the stagnant water. Mosquitoes breed in undisturbed water. Putting a lid in the containers will also prevent contaminants such as dust, bird droppings and leaf litters from entering.
Drinking rainwater without the use of an approved and tested filtration system is not advisable. Using rainwater for food preparation is also not recommended. Our air is consistently polluted by toxic contaminants from industrial factories and petrol driven vehicles. The rainwater may still contain the harmful these ingredients.
The collected rainwater can be used to water the lawns and gardens. It is one of the most efficient ways to use rainwater especially in locations where the dry seasons are long. Rainwater is the preferred water used by expert gardeners as it contains both nitrogen and phosphorous. Both are an important nutrient the plants need for their development.
By filtering the debris, rainwater can be used in many ways. It can be used to top up outdoor swimming pools and spas. It will be very effective and economical in washing the car and the floor. The water can be utilised for showering, flushing the toilet, and washing the clothes. Dishes can be cleaned through using rainwater.
Large communities often participate in harvesting rainwater. India, Bangladesh and Australia are one of the leading countries promoting rainwater harvesting. They have developed systems and techniques that involve large underground containers that store the precious liquid for longer periods of time. Their water filtration and distribution techniques have also been modernised.
In our own small way, we can help save the planet. Let us start by simply starting our own small rainwater harvesting system. It is a small step with a large objective.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rain water provides the benefits of purity and softness, while having a PH value that is nearly neutral. These characteristics make rain water a valuable asset to home owners looking to cultivate their landscape and also add longevity to the household appliances; by way of reduction in corrosion and scaling effects caused by hard water. Rainwater harvesting has many benefits and advantages, a few being:
* Rainwater is free
* Rainwater's softness makes it much easier on the inner workings of appliances, adding longevity to them
* Rainwater is superior for landscape irrigation
* Rainwater reduces the strain on storm water drains and storm drain systems
* Rainwater is a great resource when groundwater is nonexistent, unacceptable or present in a limited capacity.
The fact that you can harvest or collect rain water at its origin, in other words in your own backyard, eliminates the cost and expense of having it pumped or delivered to your home through a meter that is spinning faster than the speed of light. This would be the benefit mentioned above, it is free. Now of course your main water supply will not come from your rainwater harvesting system, but you can augment a high percentage of your water usage. There are many harvesting systems ranging from simplistic to very extensive. Depending on your requirements and the amount of rain fall your area receives, will determine how much or how little your system will play a role in your every day water consumption.
There are many resources for information on rainwater harvesting on both the commercial and residential levels. Here are three very good resources that I would recommend:
1) The Texas Manual On Rainwater Harvesting is put out by The Texas Water Development Board. This manual is a very effective How-To tool when designing & building a rainwater catchment system. It is intended for Texas Residents, but is widely applicable to residents across the United States.
2) Sky Harvester Water Conservation Systems, this site seems to deal more with the commercial level, you will be able to view a video that is very informative and makes the process of rainwater harvesting crystal clear.
3) Brae Rain Harvesting Systems provides a tremendous amount of information on both residential & commercial rainwater harvesting.
Although water flows in our faucets, energy is used to keep the pumps and filters working so water can be distributed to our homes. By harvesting rainwater, we also indirectly save on our energy consumption. Rainwater is free and in most cases, just drains into the soil.
Harvesting the rainwater starts with the collection process. Residential house dwellers can collect water from their roof by simply placing containers in the run offs. When gutters are available, the barrel can be placed under the spouts. The barrels or containers can also be left in the open spaces where the rain can fill them up. Large water tanks for use in the farms and gardens can be opened when it is raining. These tanks can be strategically located in the gardens and farms where it will be used.
The water container must be closed when it is full or when not in use. This will prevent insects and animals thriving in the stagnant water. Mosquitoes breed in undisturbed water. Putting a lid in the containers will also prevent contaminants such as dust, bird droppings and leaf litters from entering.
Drinking rainwater without the use of an approved and tested filtration system is not advisable. Using rainwater for food preparation is also not recommended. Our air is consistently polluted by toxic contaminants from industrial factories and petrol driven vehicles. The rainwater may still contain the harmful these ingredients.
The collected rainwater can be used to water the lawns and gardens. It is one of the most efficient ways to use rainwater especially in locations where the dry seasons are long. Rainwater is the preferred water used by expert gardeners as it contains both nitrogen and phosphorous. Both are an important nutrient the plants need for their development.
By filtering the debris, rainwater can be used in many ways. It can be used to top up outdoor swimming pools and spas. It will be very effective and economical in washing the car and the floor. The water can be utilised for showering, flushing the toilet, and washing the clothes. Dishes can be cleaned through using rainwater.
Large communities often participate in harvesting rainwater. India, Bangladesh and Australia are one of the leading countries promoting rainwater harvesting. They have developed systems and techniques that involve large underground containers that store the precious liquid for longer periods of time. Their water filtration and distribution techniques have also been modernised.
In our own small way, we can help save the planet. Let us start by simply starting our own small rainwater harvesting system. It is a small step with a large objective.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rain water provides the benefits of purity and softness, while having a PH value that is nearly neutral. These characteristics make rain water a valuable asset to home owners looking to cultivate their landscape and also add longevity to the household appliances; by way of reduction in corrosion and scaling effects caused by hard water. Rainwater harvesting has many benefits and advantages, a few being:
* Rainwater is free
* Rainwater's softness makes it much easier on the inner workings of appliances, adding longevity to them
* Rainwater is superior for landscape irrigation
* Rainwater reduces the strain on storm water drains and storm drain systems
* Rainwater is a great resource when groundwater is nonexistent, unacceptable or present in a limited capacity.
The fact that you can harvest or collect rain water at its origin, in other words in your own backyard, eliminates the cost and expense of having it pumped or delivered to your home through a meter that is spinning faster than the speed of light. This would be the benefit mentioned above, it is free. Now of course your main water supply will not come from your rainwater harvesting system, but you can augment a high percentage of your water usage. There are many harvesting systems ranging from simplistic to very extensive. Depending on your requirements and the amount of rain fall your area receives, will determine how much or how little your system will play a role in your every day water consumption.
There are many resources for information on rainwater harvesting on both the commercial and residential levels. Here are three very good resources that I would recommend:
1) The Texas Manual On Rainwater Harvesting is put out by The Texas Water Development Board. This manual is a very effective How-To tool when designing & building a rainwater catchment system. It is intended for Texas Residents, but is widely applicable to residents across the United States.
2) Sky Harvester Water Conservation Systems, this site seems to deal more with the commercial level, you will be able to view a video that is very informative and makes the process of rainwater harvesting crystal clear.
3) Brae Rain Harvesting Systems provides a tremendous amount of information on both residential & commercial rainwater harvesting.
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