Rainwater harvesting is the process gathering falling rainwater from your roof, patio or site into storage containers and reusing it for many different purposes instead of importing it from city pipelines by processing if after intake from lakes and rivers.   By simply capturing water on a1500 square foot surface, a household can reduce their water bill by 50% and save 43,000 gallons of water a year!

What are the benefits to Rainwater Harvesting?

• A good source of water during a seasonal drought.
• Can reduce the volume of storm water run-off, lessen the impact on erosion and decrease the load on storm sewers.  This will keep potential storm water pollutants out of the city’s rivers,groundwater, and streets.
• Great for landscape irrigation and reduces the demand for limited surface and groundwater supplies.
• Helps utilities reduce the summer demand peak of water treatment plants.
• Saving Money!  Operating costs for rain water harvesting systems are substantially lower than the cost for purchasing water from the centralized city water systems. 
• The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting, developed by the Texas Water Development Board, outlines some the advantages and benefits of for harvesting rainwater as being:

Rainwater Harvesting

• Fundamentals of Rainwater Harvesting
• Cistern Size
• How to Create Your Own Rain Barrel

Plumbing

• Low-Flow Flush Fixtures, Showerheads and Faucets
• Tankless Water Heater
• Water Heat Pumps
• Aerators

Helpful Water Efficiency Links