How Do Rainwater Harvesting Systems Work?

Rain is one of the most amazing wonders of this earth, but it is something we often take for granted or even sometimes feel irritated by. In this article, we are going to look at the following:

1. What are Rainwater Harvesting Systems?

2. How do they work?

3. What is the rainwater used for?

4. Why is it beneficial to use a Rainwater Harvesting System?

5. Why purchase a Rainwater Harvesting System from Epiphany?

Conserve water by using rainwater harvesting systems

Rainwater Harvesting Systems

1. What is a Rainwater Harvesting System?

Simply put, rainwater harvesting systems are designed to collect rainwater, store it, and distribute it for other uses. Primarily, rainwater is collected in gutters and then sent through pipes into a reservoir of some sort, either above ground like a rain barrel or underground in a cistern. There are both simple and more advanced systems.

2. How Does it Work?

As mentioned above, rainwater is collected from the exterior surfaces of your home, like your roof or even your pavement. The rainwater is collected, sent through pipes, filtered, and stored in a reservoir ready for your use.

In the diagram below from Aquascape, you can take a closer look at how typical rainwater harvesting systems work.

Rainwater is filtered and then stored for later use around your home and yard

3. What is the Rainwater Used for?

Unless you have a complex rainwater harvesting system designed for using the filtered rainwater indoors, most systems conserve water for outdoor uses such as:

• Watering and irrigating lawns and gardens

• General washing of buildings, cars, decks/patios, etc.

• Adding decorative fountains or water features (check out below for some great ideas from Clearwater!)

• Preventing damage from storm run-off and flooding

• Putting out fires (handy for those outdoor fire pits, eh?)

You can even use the water to help fill your pool or hot tub!

If you do have a more complex system that allows you to make use of your rainwater indoors, it can be used for flushing toilets or doing the laundry.

Lower your hydro bill by using your rainwater to water plants and flowers

4. Why use a Rainwater Harvesting System?

Many of us recognize the value of our natural resources here in Canada and the need to conserve water. By harvesting rainwater, we are reducing the amount of water we use from other sources whether it comes from municipal water systems or from other natural bodies of water.

And, using rainwater can help manage excess run-off after storms, solve problems related to drought and save you money on your utility bills.

Take a look at the graphic below to see some interesting statistics about water use that will help put in perspective how much water we actually use. Or, continue your reading here.

5. Why Purchase a Rainwater Harvesting System from Epiphany?

One of the great things about adding a water feature to your backyard is that it can actually be part of a rainwater harvesting system. Rainwater that enters a pond or waterfall area can actually be filtered on the surface with a mechanical and biological pump. From there, it is sent to the reservoir or storage basin along with other rainwater. So, your water feature adds beauty to your backyard but also functions to help conserve water.

Check out the video below that shows you how Aquascape installs rainwater harvesting systems with sustainable water features. As certified Aquascape contractors, Epiphany is trained to transform any backyard into a work of art while protecting one of our most precious resources: water.

Watch the video to see how rainwater harvesting systems can incorporate water features.