If you are trying to make adjustments in your life to become more "green" and you have some time on your hands, rainwater harvesting may be something you may want to consider.
Simply speaking, rainwater harvesting consists of collecting rainwater and using it in place of water from a well or city water. It is a system that has been adopted in many areas of the world where conventional water supply systems have failed to meet peoples needs. It also aids in reducing water bills and consumption. While harvesting can not take the place of your household water supply, it can be used to supplement your system already in place. Some people use the water they collect to wash dishes, wash clothes, water plants and if you implement a filtration system it can be used for drinking and cooking.
There are many examples of rainwater harvesting (RWH) usage in underdeveloped countries such as Sri Lanka and Uganda where simple methods of collection are used and the rainwater collected is used for everyday domestic use (DRWH) such as cooking and cleaning. While these underdeveloped countries typically use simple collection systems and rarely using filtration systems, there are also countries such as Germany where "they incorporate clever computer management systems, submersible pumps, and links into the grey water and mains domestic plumbing systems."
Whether you have a family and some extra time to devote to harvesting rainwater, or a college student looking to become more environmentally aware, RWH is something to consider.
The benefits of rainwater harvesting are
- To harness good quality water resource now being wasted
- To prevent groundwater depletion
- To augment the expensive piped water supply
- To save expenditure on water
- To prevent soil erosion and urban flooding
- Inexpensive and simple technology
- Aids ecological conservation
Some downsides to RWH can be lack of time to implement the system necessary in filtrating the water making it safe to use in cooking or for consumption, if it is being used for consumption it is important to use a filtration system which can be expensive and it takes some time to put together a system for a household or if you are looking to implement RWH on a larger scale such as a town or a city, a lot of planning is necessary.
If you are willing to take the time to research and plan out a RWH system it is worth checking out websites devoted to RWH such as www.harvesth2o.com, www.rain-barrel.net and www.harvestingrainwater.com. All websites include instructions on making your own system and a breakdown of what you will be accomplishing by creating your own system.
Rainwater harvesting is a good way of taking a natural resource and using it for everyday life. It is environmentally safe and beneficial and a great way to become Green!
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