Does any body here still harvest rain water?
By archon309
@archon309 (404)
Philippines
September 8, 2010 1:12am CST
We used to have two large water tanks that we use to collect rainwater in our home. I remember that we use it primarily for drinking... of course we boil it first. We use rain water also for taking a bath.
I realized now that rain water harvesting had saved us a few bucks from our water bill. A few years ago though, I read from a local newspaper how rain water harvesting helps the environment also, in one way or another.
As of now, I'm planning to save some cash and buy a large water tank and start water harvesting again. Though I know now that it is not entirely good for our body.. with all the pollutants these days. However rain water can be used in a number of ways like washing dishes and clothes and watering plants. At least it could save me once again a few bucks from my water bill and help the environment as well.
Does any of you still practice rainwater harvesting?
And for those who knows some details (I don't exactly remember how this practice would benefit the environment), please share.
Thanks.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@Bluerain25 (812)
• Philippines
8 Sep 10
Hi archon, we still did at home it is a great help to lessen our water bill. We mainly use it for cleaning the toilet. Used it to flush soemtimes to wash our clothes. It has been a practice ever since we are small children. We too have two rain water tanks.
2 people like this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
8 Sep 10
Yes, I have a rain water tank as a lot of people do here in Australia. We are the driest inhabited continent on earth so it makes sense for most of us to have water tanks. I only have a relatively small 5000 litre tank that I use for the garden and washing the cars, etc. Mainly outdoor use. It is nearly full at the moment and we are coming into the wet season so perhaps I should use it to fill up the washing machine as well. The hose will reach into our laundry from the tank. 
We went through a severe drought about six years ago and then rainwater tanks started to become popular again as everyone started panicking because the dams were getting low. The government started subsidising water tank installations so it worked out that you hardly had to pay anything to get a tank installed. This scheme lasted until the water supplies were steady again which was a couple of years later.
It seems strange now, but years ago, the local city council banned water tanks and people had to get rid of them. This was back in the days of metal tanks. Most people have plastic ones these days. Having a water tank to harvest rain water means that you are getting pure water with no chemicals so that the gardens can get fed good healthy water. You can also water more often so plants will grow better and be more productive. The soil will also benefit. This is my understanding of the environmental benefits of harvesting rain water. 
We went through a severe drought about six years ago and then rainwater tanks started to become popular again as everyone started panicking because the dams were getting low. The government started subsidising water tank installations so it worked out that you hardly had to pay anything to get a tank installed. This scheme lasted until the water supplies were steady again which was a couple of years later.
It seems strange now, but years ago, the local city council banned water tanks and people had to get rid of them. This was back in the days of metal tanks. Most people have plastic ones these days. Having a water tank to harvest rain water means that you are getting pure water with no chemicals so that the gardens can get fed good healthy water. You can also water more often so plants will grow better and be more productive. The soil will also benefit. This is my understanding of the environmental benefits of harvesting rain water. @archon309 (404)
• Philippines
9 Sep 10
I've read about that drought in Australia and how it affected your place.
Thanks for sharing your insight Bill. Too bad our government here have no similar program that subsidized the cost of water tank installation hehe. I hope I can earn and save enough money to buy one this year. :)
Have a nice day.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
9 Sep 10
At least one area of Australia is always in drought. The water issues here never go away for some inland areas. There are some children in the desert areas who have never seen rain! 
Our government had a similar scheme with home insulation too and now they have one going with solar power. If I was not planning on selling my home, I would have solar power installed as it is such a great thing here with all of the sun that we get.
Our government had a similar scheme with home insulation too and now they have one going with solar power. If I was not planning on selling my home, I would have solar power installed as it is such a great thing here with all of the sun that we get. 2 people like this
@ajithlal (14716)
• India
1 Apr 12
It is good idea to harvest rainwater and rainwater can be used for bathing and for toilet purposes. Rainwater can also used for washing cars and for agriculture purpose. I have been thinking of rainwater harvesting and hope one day I will be able to harvest rainwater. I think there are lots of places where water is very little and if every harvest rainwater we can save water.
@o0jopak0o (6394)
• Philippines
8 Sep 10
well i think what you are doing is great, it saves money and it saves the environment.
1 person likes this
