Collecting rainwater is a great way to keep your garden and landscaping healthy while saving money on your water bill in an eco-conscious way. While it may sound unusual, rainwater collection systems are becoming increasingly prevalent in homes as well as commercial developments, as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) practices become more widely used.
Installing a rainwater collection system could significantly reduce your household water use. In fact, according to the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, their new Moss Point, Mississippi facility includes a rainwater collection and filtering system that will result in a 40% reduction in water use. What homeowner wouldn’t want to have that kind of savings?
Getting Started
If you’re up for the challenge, do your homework online using instructional videos such as this one on YouTube or by using step by step instructions on websites like www.wikihow.com. The Alabama Cooperative Extension website also offers a detailed plan for catching, cleaning and distributing rainwater for landscape and garden irrigation.
You Don’t Have To DIY
If you don’t feel comfortable building a collection system yourself or if you’re concerned about having an unsightly contraption against the side of your house, there are attractive options that range for every budget type. You can contract a landscaping company to build one for you, or purchase one online from retailers such as Rain Xchange.
