For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer system.
For
most
of
us
,
the
rain
that
falls
on
our
roof
runs
off
into
the
ground
or
the
sewer
system
.
But if you want to save a little water and reuse it on your lawns or plants--- or even use it for laundry, dishes, or other needs--- collecting rainwater from your gutter's downspouts is a no-brainer
But
if
you
want
to
save
a
little
water
and
reuse
it
on
your
lawns
or
plants
--
-
or
even
use
it
for
laundry
,
dishes
,
or
other
needs
--
-
collecting
rainwater
from
your
gutter
's
downspouts
is
a
no-brainer
According to John C. Davis, writing in E / The Environmental Magazine, just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, given that the roof and gutters do most of the work.
According
to
John
C.
Davis
,
writing
in
E
/
The
Environmental
Magazine
,
just
about
any
homeowner
can
collect
rainwater
,
given
that
the
roof
and
gutters
do
most
of
the
work
.
And since an inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of water, you can harvest enough to water your lawn or garden.
And
since
an
inch
of
rain
falling
on
a
2,000-square-foot
roof
produces
some
1,200
gallons
of
water
,
you
can
harvest
enough
to
water
your
lawn
or
garden
.
Plants and grass actually do better when fed rainwater instead of tap water, which is usually treated with substances that can hold back plant growth.
Plants
and
grass
actually
do
better
when
fed
rainwater
instead
of
tap
water
,
which
is
usually
treated
with
substances
that
can
hold
back
plant
growth
.
Using rainwater can also extend the life of pipes, since the salts added to tap water may gradually damage the pipes.
Using
rainwater
can
also
extend
the
life
of
pipes
,
since
the
salts
added
to
tap
water
may
gradually
damage
the
pipes
.
However, homeowners should set up a water purification system if they do plan to use rainwater for inside needs.
However
,
homeowners
should
set
up
a
water
purification
system
if
they
do
plan
to
use
rainwater
for
inside
needs
.
Rainwater harvesting can also be good for the local community, as it reduces the erosion, flooding, and pollution associated with heavy rainfall, and reduces dependence on public water supplies.
Rainwater
harvesting
can
also
be
good
for
the
local
community
,
as
it
reduces
the
erosion
,
flooding
,
and
pollution
associated
with
heavy
rainfall
,
and
reduces
dependence
on
public
water
supplies
.
So some states fund rainwater collection systems in their local communities.
So
some
states
fund
rainwater
collection
systems
in
their
local
communities
.
Many varieties of rain barrel systems, starting at just $100, are available for home use.
Many
varieties
of
rain
barrel
systems
,
starting
at
just
$
100
,
are
available
for
home
use
.
A typical setup is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter's downspout.
A
typical
setup
is
simply
a
rain
barrel
positioned
under
a
gutter
's
downspout
.
Skillful homeowners can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one is a lot easier.
Skillful
homeowners
can
make
their
own
water
harvesting
systems
,
but
buying
one
is
a
lot
easier
.
Most garden centres offer a range of choices as well as tips.
Most
garden
centres
offer
a
range
of
choices
as
well
as
tips
.
For most of us, the rain that falls on our roof runs off into the ground or the sewer system. But if you want to save a little water and reuse it on your lawns or plants--- or even use it for laundry, dishes, or other needs--- collecting rainwater from your gutter's downspouts is a no-brainer  According to John C. Davis, writing in E / The Environmental Magazine, just about any homeowner can collect rainwater, given that the roof and gutters do most of the work. And since an inch of rain falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof produces some 1,200 gallons of water, you can harvest enough to water your lawn or garden.  Plants and grass actually do better when fed rainwater instead of tap water, which is usually treated with substances that can hold back plant growth. Using rainwater can also extend the life of pipes, since the salts added to tap water may gradually damage the pipes. However, homeowners should set up a water purification system if they do plan to use rainwater for inside needs.  Rainwater harvesting can also be good for the local community, as it reduces the erosion, flooding, and pollution associated with heavy rainfall, and reduces dependence on public water supplies. So some states fund rainwater collection systems in their local communities.  Many varieties of rain barrel systems, starting at just $100, are available for home use. A typical setup is simply a rain barrel positioned under a gutter's downspout. Skillful homeowners can make their own water harvesting systems, but buying one is a lot easier. Most garden centres offer a range of choices as well as tips.