Water is a necessity in everyday life. We all drink water and use it to wash dishes, clothes and ourselves. If you have a garden, you also need water to help it flourish. The problem is that there is not an endless supply of usable water; you get to experience the lack of available resources every time there is a hosepipe ban during hot weather. This is where owning a water tank can be extremely valuable.
There is simply not enough usable water in the world. The pressure on ground water reserves is an issue across the globe. This pressure is also being felt across man made reserves of water; how often do you see a half empty reservoir?
How harvesting rainwater can help
If everyone started to use the rainwater that falls from the skies, there would be far less pressure on the planet's water reserves. Setting up a rainwater harvesting system (RHS), can help you ensure that you have regular access to water for activities such as washing clothes, flushing the toilet and watering plants and lawns.
How do you harvest rainwater?
People have harvested rainwater for many years; using a simple water butt. This is still one way that you can collect water with which to keep your garden watered. However, investing in a more substantial RHS can be a much better idea. These systems generally consist of a water storage tank that is used to collect water from certain areas (most often the roof of a property). The tank has a filtration system so that any debris is removed from the water before it is stored.
Water storage tanks can be located above or below ground. If you want to locate the tank underground it's worth remembering that you may need planning permission. Speak to your local council before you start any installation work. Underground water storage tanks also need a pump to be fitted so that the collected water can be pumped to where it needs to be used around your home. Additional piping also needs to be fitted, so that the harvested rainwater can be used in your property.
The benefits you get from harvesting rainwater
Aside from the obvious water saving benefits of harvesting rainwater, there are many others reasons why it's a good idea.
- Healthier lawns and garden plants. Rainwater is not full of chemicals and additives, so it's a lot more beneficial to your plants than the water which comes from the taps in your home.
- Access to water even when the local water supply is not available.
- The ability to store water when rain is heavy and constant, for use when the weather is warm and dry and water supplies are depleted.
- Reduction in flooding issues in your garden. Water is diverted to the storage tank, so it does not run out onto the ground around your home. If water is allowed to simply seep into the ground this can lead to flooding, especially in areas which are prone to the issue.
You may be thinking that all of these benefits sound great, but that you would not be able to harvest a significant amount of rainwater. You can work out approximately how much water you can harvest; you may be pleasantly surprised.
How much does an RHS cost?
You can buy a simple water butt for less than £200. However, a water butt will only enable you to collect around 200 litres of water at a time; an average RHS will collect and store around 6,500 litres. Having a water butt in your garden is a good start but investing in an RHS helps to preserve the environment as well as giving you access to an on going supply of water. It's worth noting that you will still need access to a standard supply of water but your usage could reduce by as much as 40%, depending on which system you have installed and the rainfall in your area.
A smaller RHS can be purchased for around £1,000, if you are looking to collect water to use in your garden. Larger systems for collecting water cost around £2,500-£3,000. You also need to factor in the cost of hiring an expert to fit the system. You need to balance this cost against all the benefits you can get and the monetary savings you can make over time, if you have a water meter fitted.
Harvesting rainwater makes sense. The water is far better than tap water for watering plants and lawns (you can reduce the amount of water you use from the regular system) thereby reducing bills, if you use a water meter.
To read more on how to treat wastewater, please click here.
