Benefits Of Rain Harvesting
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ain harvesting is one of the simplest and most cost effective ways of obtaining clean water. It has minimal impact on the environment and you may choose to harvest your own rain water if you live in a region that may be affected by water shortages, low water pressure, or an area that has polluted water.
Perhaps you are environmentally conscious and like to do your bit to help the planet. For what ever reason there are a myriad of benefits to harvesting your own rain water. Consider that it is the cleanest source of naturally occurring fresh water that you are likely to find anywhere. It is free from any ground contamination i.e. pesticides and other chemicals and it has a natural PH balance and is kinder to plants than water from the tap. It is also cleaner that ground water as it does not have any contact with minerals or chemicals that may be present in the ground.
The cost of setting up and maintaining your own water catchment is very cheap, and can be done without the use of expensive materials or labor. Providing the material used for the collection and storage of the water is clean and free from contaminants, the water can be used without any further treatments such as chlorine or other chemicals.
If you are not connected to a mains water supply and there are no other sources of fresh water available such as a river or steam, then it is a good alternative to digging well. It provides a clean usable source of water that is close to your home. There is no need to carry large containers from another source.
If you live in an area where water usage is charged or regulated, then it will cut down on your bills significantly, and by using rain harvesting equipment you are keeping a volume of water out of your storm drainage system and thus helping to reduce the risk of local flooding.
Your home will rate higher on an eco-point scale, and in some countries you can claim tax exemptions and other benefits for having an eco-friendly home.
Rain harvesting is done not just on an individual scale but occasionally entire communities will develop a system that benefits everyone. An example of this is Gibraltar, where a large portion of their water comes from natural rain harvesting.
The most common type of rain harvesting systems that are used are roof catchments. Almost any type of roof can be used but you should avoid any that are lined with lead or asbestos. The rain water is channeled down through your existing guttering system and into a storage container. This is possibly one of the most simplest methods for rain water harvesting.
Although, the water collected in this manner may not be suitable for human consumption due the fact that most guttering systems are open and allow birds and other insects access to the water. The water collected in this manner is still suitable for washing, watering, laundry, horticultural and toilet facilities. It will make a huge difference to the amount of water you require to run your home.
