Ancient Water Conservation Method Finally Catches On

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Harvesting rainwater is an ancient method of conservation that’s making a comeback. Catching rainwater in a barrel can save money on your watering bill and it obviously helps conserve watersheds.

For the avid gardener, this could be a brand new challenge. Using barrels or water tanks to catch and store rainwater for the hotter months could be a refreshing way to irrigate the garden.

In Austin, Texas, city officials are offering up to $500 on the cost of installing a large capacity rain harvester. Ranchers and farmers in Sun Belt states have long relied on rain harvesting to get through the scorching summer months. Now it seems that the general public is becoming in tune with this old way of conserving water.

The process of gathering rainwater and using it for landscaping is very simple. Rainwater is gathered by gutters and downspouts, and then it collects in a larger storage tank.  Micron filters can be used to clean out twigs, leaves, dirt, and other debris. It’s possible to use this water for drinking as well, but that’s another story.

Now to use this water for landscape irrigation you’ll have to upgrade the holding tank with a pump. A full tank that’s 10ft. tall only has 5 PSI (pounds per square inch). To use a drip-irrigation system you’ll need at least 15 PSI.  Adding a water well pump will pressurize the tank and make it usable for landscape irrigation.

Sources:

http://feverishthoughts.com/garden/2008/01/12/use-a-rain-water-tank-to-conserve-water/

Rainwater / Watershed / Greywater