Next to global warming and air pollution, water pollution is one of three major environmental problems faced by the Earth. The living conditions on this planet have changed, and the quality of life for some have been threatened. This is why all people should take action to protect and conserve natural resources. Harvesting rainwater is one way to reduce your impact on the environment. Not only does it provide a source of water for your home, but it also reduces the amount of polluted stormwater your home or business sends into local waterways. It is already an old practice to use rainwater for outdoor purposes, like watering plants or washing your car, but did you know that it is becoming increasingly popular to use rainwater inside your home too?
Problem and Solution
People do not realize just how much water they use by the simple acts of showering or washing clothes. These actions are all a part of our daily routine, we are quite used to them, but our planet is not. As there is only 1% of water on Earth that is usable for drinking, we should all be mindful of how we use water and conserve wherever we can. Most household water is used for showering, washing the dishes, flushing the toilet, and doing laundry. One way of approaching this problem is to install a rainwater collection system that will collect rainwater for indoor uses. For this endeavor you will probably need to call a plumber, which will cost you, but it will also benefit you in the long run, as your water bill gets smaller and you contribute to a healthier planet.
Harvesting and Storage of Rainwater
There are three ways to collect rain: from the direct rainfall, the roof, or you can even harvest it from the street. For the storage, you can use barrels or cisterns for non-portable use like flushing toilets and washing laundry. How much rainwater you will need depends on the size of your household and it’s activities such as how often you do your laundry or flush the toilet. As there are different types of containers, you will first need to find an expert to help you determine what kind of system best meets your family’s needs. Rainwater containers come in different sizes, shapes and even colors, and they can be set up below or above ground.
Use of Rainwater at the Tap
According to Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, in individual cases, rainwater can replace tap water completely. Most people around the world use it for the toilet tank and flushing, but are skeptical of using it for showering with it or drinking it. However, there are filtrating systems that clean rainwater so that it can be safely used for drinking and showering.
Although the use of rainwater for indoor home necessities is becoming more and more popular across the world, it is regulated differently in each country, state and locality. So, before you start thinking about building your own system, check with your local water authority.
Guest blog submitted by Melissa Stevens. She is experienced blogger, interested in eco-friendly topics. Plumbing services based in Sydney contributed to this article with all relevant information about water containers plumbing system.