Say Goodbye to Droughts: A Beginner's Guide to Rain Harvesting | Pine and Pillar Landscaping Canmore
If you live in an area with regular rainfall, you’ve considered how you could use the rainy season to your advantage.
With living costs increasing and more and more of us seeing droughts in the warmer months, it’s clear that we should be making the most of what Mother Nature can provide us. Whether you’re looking to save the environment or reduce your water bill, rain harvesting is a great way to do both!
What is rain harvesting?
Rain harvesting is an ingeniously simple idea; collect the rain that would otherwise go to waste and use it to supplement other water sources. It’s a concept that dates back to ancient civilizations, but with modern technology, we can now capture and use more rain than ever before, with the environment in mind.
These rain harvesting systems collect rainwater from rooftops and divert it into cisterns or rain barrels for external uses like garden irrigation or internal services like flushing toilets. It’s a win-win!
And the best bit is; you can save money on your next water bill while doing the Earth a huge favor with rain harvesting!
Why is rainwater harvesting important?
Rainwater harvesting is a crucial practice that has been around since ancient times, believe it or not. After all, what better way to collect and preserve fresh water for everyday needs other than using the rains that fall seasonally?
Water harvesting ensures a backup supply of moisture during drought and helps reduce flooding and erosion by containing waterways and streams.
Harvesting rainwater is environmentally friendly and can help reduce your landscaping costs as you don’t have to rely on other water sources for irrigation!
On top of that, rainwater harvesting is a great way to lower your utility bills; you can use this stored water for washing your car, watering house plants, filling up tubs and pools, etc. With the current climate and financial crisis in which we live, practices like rainwater harvesting are essential to sustain us all.
How Can I Get Started With Rain Harvesting?
We all know rain isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, but rain harvesting can turn that precipitation into a real pot of gold. (All right, not a real pot of gold. But figuratively, sure!)
To get the ball rolling on rain harvesting in your backyard, the two main components you’ll need are catchment and storage – plus, you’ll need to choose which systems best suit your needs.
First up is catchment, which means collecting rain from surfaces such as roofs or patios – this is where you can get creative with rain barrels or rain gardens!
Are there different types of rain harvesting systems?
Many rain harvesting systems are available, ranging from simple rain barrels to complex above-ground or below-ground cisterns.
Once you’ve caught that sweet H2O, you’ll need to store it somewhere safe, so it’s available during the dryer months. Depending on the size or scope of your project, rain barrels or tanks can hold anywhere from 45 gallons to thousands of gallons of rainwater for irrigation, residential use, and more.
If you’re looking for ways to reduce water consumption in your home or garden, here are the two central rain harvesting systems to consider!
What Is A Rain Barrel System?
A rain barrel is an above-ground container that collects and stores runoff from rooftops and landscaping areas. They’re great for small-scale projects and are made of plastic or metal.
What Is A Cistern-Based System?
If you’re looking to harvest more significant quantities of water, a cistern-based system is a way to go. This type of rain harvesting requires underground tanks that collect and store large amounts of runoff from nearby buildings and landscaping areas.
No matter which type of rain harvesting system you choose, it’s important to remember that the bigger your collection system, the more rainwater you can store. So, if you’re in an area with regular rainfall and want to significantly impact conserving water, larger systems are better!
Landscaping Considerations for Rain Harvesting
It’s also super important to consider landscaping when it comes to rain harvesting. You want to ensure that your system is collecting water efficiently and that there are no blockages.
The best landscaping practices for rain harvesting include ensuring that your collection system is positioned in a location with no blockage from trees or other landscaping features and ensuring that runoff from landscaping areas directs toward the collection system. It’s also essential to ensure that the position of your collection system is in a location with good drainage.
An experienced landscaper such as Pine and Pillar Landscaping will be able to advise you on optimal placement and considerations for your water harvesting build. By ensuring your landscaping is conducive to rain harvesting, you can ensure that your system is collecting as much water as possible – and keep your outdoor space looking its best!
How do you maintain a rain harvesting system?
As we’ve reiterated throughout this guide, rain harvesting systems are a fantastic way to conserve water and reduce your environmental footprint – if they’re well-maintained, that is!
To keep your rain harvesting system running smoothly, it’s essential to clean the gutters regularly (like the ones on your house!), check the filter for clogs and blockages, and inspect for any structural damage or corrosion.
Also, remember the gutters’ conditions – keep an eye out for rust, flaking paint, and other signs of wear.
Finally, make sure no debris on your roof or in the gutters can accumulate and clog up your system; you’d better get a head start on an autumn leaf clean-up as soon as possible!
The Right Experts For The Job
When it comes to rain harvesting, system maintenance, and appropriate landscaping, you don’t have to go it alone. Remember, going with a professional installation team, like us here at Pine and Pillar Landscaping Canmore, guarantees both optimal results and peace of mind!
To start reaping the benefits of this eco-friendly and drought-resistant solution, contact us now for free advice on rain harvesting systems and quotes for installation!