Without a doubt, one of the most valuable natural resources of this Earth is water. Many people acknowledge this fact; however, few really spend the time to think about the immense importance water is for life. With two-thirds of the Earth’s surface covered in water as well as 75% of the human body makeup, it is not far-fetched to say that it is the miracle for life.
Likewise rain, also known as precipitation, supplies replenishment to the Earth as well as drinking water for people. All water at some point came from the sky, making this renewable natural resource necessary for all living organisms to thrive and exist. Learning practical ways on how to use rainwater will allow for economic, social, and environmental benefits, among many others.
The Importance of Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting can be thought of as a strategy for sustainability and is a way to source the rainfall by capturing the water – any that does not soak into the ground – for reuse. There are many ways to set up a system for this endeavor which can be simple enough for anyone to put together or can become a professional state-of-the art home project which requires a contractor. Many people opt for a practical system which will enable them to offset their water bill, while also allowing them to be environmentally conscious.
Any rainwater that is captured and reused will prove to be an economic saving. In addition, collecting rainwater reduces the stress on aquifers which are the saturated zones beneath the Earth’s water table where there are storehouses of water. Finally, because rainwater comes straight from the source, it does not have to be channeled in through a network of systems and chemically treated in order to be safe to use.
Therefore, it is not hard to understand the importance of rainwater harvesting and the numerous benefits on many levels that come along with this practice. What will always remain undisputed is that the rainwater you collect will be the cleanest and least expensive water you will ever use.
Uses of Rainwater
There are certain necessary items which pertain to quality that you should be aware of before using rainwater. First, there is always a possibility for contamination from the #1 culprit: mosquitoes. Other pollutants may come from the environment, birds, insects, roofs, and piping fixtures.
Once you ensure that the rainwater meets the quality needed for its intended use (i.e. human consumption, washing, toilet flushing, etc.), which can be done with approved methods such as through standard testing kits, the different ways rainwater can be used are endless. Here are some popular suggestions that can be considered:
- Use it for any kind of plant watering – garden, flowerbeds, houseplants, for lawns, bushes, shrubs. In fact, research has shown that plants actually do better with rainwater rather than public supplied water that has been chemically treated.
- Use it for household cleaning chores – mop your floors, clean bathrooms, clothes and shoe washings, doing dishes. Because of the lack of minerals in rainwater, soaps and shampoos become more effective as cleaning agents. Enabling you to not have to use as much of these products.
- Use it to rinse off debris and mud – rinse out your outdoor garbage cans, muddy shoes and tools from working in the yard/garden, and outdoor toys and sports equipment. Anything that catches outdoor dirt can be easily rinsed off with rainwater for convenience and savings.
- Use it for washing your vehicles – opt for rainwater when cleaning your car, SUV, motorcycle, and even bicycles.
- Use it to fill kiddie pools – let the children romp in the sun with kiddie pools filled with rainwater. Their imagination can run wild with its outdoor fun and play uses.
- Use it to clean outdoor areas – give your windows and entire house a thorough power wash. Your driveway and sidewalks also can be washed with rainwater.
Water Conservation Responsibility
The first step in using rainwater is to make a genuine commitment for it to become an independent personal supply for you and your household. Then you should also make small changes in the amount of water you use for various activities which will overtime add up to huge positive changes. Such as, cutting down on the amount of time you spend running water for a shower or the amount of water used for washing the dishes.
Using rainwater and water-saving tips in combination will provide economic rewards as well as environmental benefits versus using public water. Ways to incorporate and how to use rainwater in daily activities are numerous, and collecting it to use later helps you as well as the entire world. The ramifications of implementing a rainforest harvesting program are at the very essence of your water conservation responsibility.