How popular is Rainwater Harvesting in the USA?

Micbow · 09-16-2009, 04:48 AM

I've been harvesting rainwater for my garden here in Melbourne, Australia for about the last 3 years. We've been in drought since 1997 but it wasn't until about 3 or 4 years ago that rainwater tanks became popular in urban areas as a means to collect rainwater for domestic use. From what I read there seems to be some resistance to the idea of harvesting rainwater in certain parts of the USA. I'm just curious as to why, as it appears as if there are quite a few areas that are in drought or receiving less than average rainfall?

Clark · 09-20-2009, 12:00 PM

My sense is that American attitudes toward rainwater collection depend on local climate, economic factors, and longstanding cultural practices. Most of the US is blessed with adequate water for agricultural, industrial and domestic use. Water is cheap. The Great Lakes contain about 21% of the usable fresh water on Earth's surface. This abundance has led to wasteful water use.

On the other hand, water has become scarce in many parts of the US, and has led to improved water management practices. For example, in Hawaii, I'm told that rainwater collection in open pools is quite common. Communities around Phoenix have instituted (gray) water recycling on a large scale. Tucson, Arizona has passed laws to require new commercial buildings to harvest rainwater for landscape use.

But even in northern Arizona rural areas, where water wells are very expensive to drill with little certainty that water will be found, rainwater collection is not widely practiced. Most people have water trucked in from distant ground water wells and stored in large tanks on-site.

Awareness of the potential benefits of rainwater harvesting as well as a support infrastucture to install and maintain rain catchment systems is just not here yet. Things are changing, however. Growing awareness of the need for water conservation will eventually lead to the wider use of rainwater harvesting, gray water recycling, and other solutions.

Micbow · 09-20-2009, 01:50 PM

Thanks Clark.

Here where I live it took many years of drought for people to take it up. Melbourne was once a city that had more water than it needed and as such the residents adopted very wasteful ways. Since 1997 thought, Melbourne has received less than average rainfall and now with a growing population it's water storages are now perilously low.

Water restrictions were introduced in 2006 and then people started to buy rainwater tanks for their houses. So I suppose it was a case of people not really getting involved with rainwater harvesting until they had to.

Education and lack of knowledge is another thing that I think hold's people back as well. When I first got serious about rainwater harvesting I knew very little about how to go about it as the information I was after wasn't easy to find. As a consequence I taught myself and made lots of mistakes but in the process I came up with some really cool ways of harvesting lots of rainwater.

I suppose rainwater harvesting is just like most things. People don't get involved until they have to or see the benefit so education and knowledge are the keys.

Clark · 09-24-2009, 05:47 AM

My interest in rainwater harvesting was a natural offshoot from my interest in green building. I'm in the final stages of building an energy efficient house (my efficiency goal is 2 BTU/sf/HDD) using ICF (insulated concrete forms and polyethylene spray foam.) Being a custom built home, I had the opportunity to incorporate a 4000 gallon underground cistern into the poured concrete foundation from the start. Four inch PVC drain pipe connects all of my downspouts to the cistern through a SafeRain first flush valve. Installing the cistern and drain pipe during the construction of the home greatly reduced the cost of a rainwater catchment system. I believe that high cost is one of the major reasons that these systems are not more widely used. Rainwater harvesting is not cost effective in my region of the US and is viewed more as a curiosity and a bit of a luxury. I estimate that I will have to spend another $1000 to get my system up and running. That includes coating my tank with rubberized paint (e.g. Blue Max) and installing a pump and controls. I can't justify the expense based on municipal water cost savings, but as an engineering project and as an example of responsible water usage it something I want to pursue.

Micbow · 09-29-2009, 01:32 PM

Hi Clark you're doing what I'm working toward so I congratulate you.
Underground rainwater tanks are very effective at harvesting lots of rainwater but they are costly. I do believe though that you have added considerable value to your house so if you choose to sell one day you will reap the financial rewards then. Green houses and rainwater harvesting are the future. It is inevitable and it will become popular and more viable.
I harvest rainwater in the equivalent of 3 above ground ground rainwater tanks and have developed my own system where I can now harvest rainwater from 100% of my roof area which includes 2 verandas and a garage. My annual rainfall is about 300mm (12in) and I can now harvest and store about 75,000 litres (19,800Gal) per year. My all up capacity is 13,400 litres (3,670Gal) and cost me about 4,500 AUD (3,600USD) to purchase and install. I'm very happy with this and I tend to think that what I've done is cost effective.
The other thing about above ground rainwater systems is that you can add to them as you go, so you don't have to install the whole system at once. This makes them even more cost effective again.
In many areas rainwater harvesting is still new but as more information and new products become available it will certainly catch on.

Blinerot · 10-08-2009, 05:48 AM

First string.
Second string.