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Rainwater Harvesting
Janie HarrisExtension Specialist
Housing and Home EnvironmentTexas AgriLife Extension Service
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Efficient Water Use is Critical• Limited water supply• Growing population• Rainwater catchment is a source of
water• Water will not always be inexpensive
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P Increased Demand for a Decreasing SupplyP Rising Environmental & Economic CostsP Rainwater’s PurityP Conservation – Saving Your Water!P Reduce Runoff – Crucial in CitiesP Droughts have Increased Need & AwarenessP Water for Areas w/o Groundwater or Service
Why Collect Rainwater?
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Cisterns - The only source of water for many before electricity and well drillers
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Increased Impervious Areafrom pavement & roofs
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Value of Rainwater
Low pH 6.0 to 7.0
High quality water
Makes You Conservation Minded
Free
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P Attract and provide water for wildlife, pets, birds and butterfliesP Landscape irrigation, house plantsP In home use – laundry, bath/shower, drinking, cleaning, etc.
Rainwater Uses
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How to Catch Rainwater
* Roof – Sloped Tin is best but any will work* .6 gallons per square foot roof* 2,000 sq. foot roof X 1" rain = 1,200 gal. water* 1,200 gal. X 20" rainfall per year= 24,000 gal/yr.* 12” rain yields 14,400 gals./yr.* 6” rain yields 7,200 gals./yr.
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P Gutters - Nothing special P Roof washers - removes trash, debris & dust
Gutters and Roof Washers
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Screens to Keep Out Trash & Mosquitoes
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P Durable and water tight – materialP OpaqueP Size – depends on how much you will collect and need and where the water will be usedP Cost - $ .30 - 1.25 per gallon collected
Cisterns or Tanks for Storage of Water
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Small Rain Barrels
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Simple Rain Barrel w/Gutter
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Selection – Size, Color, Shape
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P Gate valve and facets
The Other Parts
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The clear plastic hose allows water to rise to the
level the water is inside the tank
Water Gauge
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Overflow allows water to run out of tank when full rather
than backing up
into the gutter of this
Rain Barn
Overflow Pipe
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Pump and Pressure Tank
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Filters and Sanitizers – Drinking H2O
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P Drip irrigation – Landscape or GardenP Water garden in groundP Wildlife and pet waterP Sprinklers, misters & watering with pressureP In home uses
Distribute Water to Desired Location
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Rainwater can be used in a water feature with floats that keep the water
level high enough to run reciprocating pumps.
Water Features in Landscape
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Rainwater Harvesting
• Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts and stores rainwater for later use.
• Easiest use is for landscaping irrigation• Can be used for household use with proper
treatment.• Rainwater is good for plants because it is
free of salts and other minerals
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Rainwater Harvesting
• Reduces the demand for chlorinated or other chemically treated tap water therefore you buy less water
• Reduces the amount of water that will go into storm sewers where it is mixed with oil and other toxic residues from streets, parking lots etc.
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Resources
• Rainwater Harvesting – B-6153 Texas AgriLife Extension Service, TAMUShttp://agrilifebookstore.org/publications_details.cfm?whichpublication=1979 $4.50
• Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting, Texas Water Development Boardhttp://www.twdb.state.tx.us/assistance/conservation/Alternative_Technologies/Rainwater_Harvesting/Rain.asp
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