Harvesting rainwater isn’t a new idea, by any means. Arguably, this water conservation method has existed since the beginning of civilization. In this modern time, our readily-available access to running water has made us forget the many benefits of harvesting rainwater. Not only does it benefit the environment, but it can help you and your family save money! Obviously, rain is free water, and you can use it to benefit your lawn and garden throughout these hot, summer months.
1. Inspect your roof.
This tip may sound oddly out of place, but your roof has a lot to do with what methods of collection are available to you. Many roofing materials contain lead, and lead is the last thing you want in your water, even if it’s just water that will be used for your lawn or landscape. If you want to collect water from run-off rain from your roof, you’ll want to ensure your roof material is non-toxic. Non-toxic roofing materials include steel sheets, glazed tiles, concrete, or other tiles.
2. Inspect your gutters.
This one is simple: for more purposes than just rain collection, you’ll want to check on the state of your gutter system. Any kind of dip or unhinged section may cause water to pool and become stagnant. This can lead to mosquito breeding and even disease-ridden microbiomes that you want to avoid. Pollutants in your water are not just harmful if consumed, but also can damage your lawn or garden. Before harvesting rain, check on your gutters.
3. Get rid of debris.
Debris in your gutters will inevitably affect the quality of water you collect, but it will also affect the amount of rainwater you’re able to harvest. Consider installing a fireproof mesh over your gutters. This will prevent almost any debris from being able to enter into your gutters and cause blockages or contamination.
4. Place your rain barrel!
Your rain barrel can be placed anywhere you’d like around the house. For ideal rain harvesting, you could have one barrel at each gutter outlet, but for those just starting out, this may not be in your budget. This is something to consider working up to with time! If you will only be installing one or two for now, place them in the spot with the least obstruction and where you think the most rain will likely collect.
For more information, call your local lawn and landscape company, By The Blade KC, today!
