Harvesting rainwater for household use

Whether you’re the man on the street or a business owner, you don’t want to be caught off guard by water shortages. 

By harvesting rainwater, we can ensure a constant supply of water regardless of municipal water supply.

Water treatment plants have come under increased pressure to supply clean, safe water. As the demand increases, so do the costs. By harvesting and utilising rainwater in our homes and gardens, we not only reduce the demand for municipal water but also our monthly utility bills. 

Water is an essential element for the daily functioning of life. With limited or no access to it, our lives are turned upside down. Plumbing rainwater into your house allows you to flush toilets, wash clothes and shower or bath without the worry of municipal water-shedding. By utilising rainwater, we lower our demand for municipal water and reduce our dependence on dams and water treatment plants. 

A report released in early October 2009 by the Water Research Commission of South Africa found that South Africa has 4% less water than 20 years ago. Six years later, we are experiencing a national water crisis, with water-shedding being implemented throughout KZN, and many communities being cut off from water supplies for up to three days at a time. 

Now’s the time to do what we can to preserve every drop of rain before we reach the Rand Water prediction of 2025. Rand Water has predicted that the demand for water in South Africa will far exceed supply by 2025, but without viable solutions to harvest and utilise rainwater, we’ll surely reach this critical level by 2020. 

Rainwater can be used for personal sanitation such as washing of clothes and dishes, and with extra filtration, can be plumbed directly into your house to be used for cooking, showering and drinking.

Green Gutter Rainwater Solutions shares some tips… 

What is rainwater harvesting? 

Rainwater harvesting involves saving rainwater which would normally flow off your roof and down the drain, and using it in a number of applications ranging from garden irrigation to in-house usage for toilets, washing machines and (with extra filtration) human consumption. 

The general rule states that 1mm of rainfall over one square metre will give you a litre of rainwater. Over a year, this adds up to a large amount of rainwater, on provision that you utilise the rainwater collected between rainfalls. 

External uses of harvested water 

Collecting rainwater for outdoor use allows you to complete a number of backyard tasks like watering the lawn, flower beds and pot plants. 

It also allows you to fill up your pool, pond or water feature and wash your car or boat. 

You could also use it to wash garden furniture and other items. 

Internal uses of harvested water 

The growing demand and diminishing quantity of water available are having a knock-on effect on our economy, and increasing the cost for this basic service.

Rainwater can also be used indoors for interior home sanitation like flushing of toilets. 

It can also be used for personal sanitation such as washing of clothes and dishes, and with extra filtration, rainwater can be plumbed directly into your house to be used for cooking, showering and drinking. 

What happens when there is no rain? 

When there is a prolonged period without rain, you can supplement your stored water from either a borehole or by using municipal water. Doing so ensures that you always have water in storage in the event of municipal restrictions. A small booster pump will supply constant water pressure to your house during these periods. 

Advantages of harvesting rainwater 

1. Awareness 

Using rainwater tanks to collect water makes us more aware of our water usage and more conscious about saving water. 

2. Cost 

Water treatment plants are under increasing pressure to supply clean and safe water to an increasing population. The growing demand and diminishing quantity of water available are having a knock-on effect on our economy, and increasing the cost for this basic service. 

3. Convenience 

Waking up to find that there is no electricity is an inconvenience. Waking up to find that there is no water is a much larger inconvenience. By harvesting rainwater, we can ensure a constant supply of water regardless of municipal water supply. 

Install your own tank