Why Harvest Rainwater?
Changes in land cover due to urbanization lead to both excess pollutant-laden storm water as well as the urban heat island effect from the loss of evaporative cooling. The combined practices of rainwater harvesting and green roofs retain and clean up stormwater on site, lowering energy and water bills, and mitigating urban assaults on sustainability.
- Retains stormwater on site and recharges aquifer
- Use of available soft water protects landscape investment
- Reduces summer peak water demands
- Supports goals of LID (low impact development)
- Decreases potable water infrastructure costs
- Provides points for LEED and Build it Green
- Reliable fire suppression
Rainwater Resources
Eden on Earth LLC (rainwater and greywater products: www.catchthewater.com
Resources from the rainwater harvesting community: www.harvesth2o.comKincaid, Heather. 2004. Forgotten Rain: Rediscovering RainwaterHarvesting. Granite Canyon Publications.
Lancaster, Brad. 2006. Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands: Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape. Rainsource Press.