Water is one of the most important infrastructure issues in the world today. Population growth, environmental concerns, drought conditions and the restriction of sufficiently large fresh waterways close to metropolitan areas have driven the necessity to find alternative solutions.
Water availability per person is decreasing (Figure 1), while water withdrawal per person is increasing (Figure 2). In its simplicity, demand is up, supply is down as this chart shows:
| Figure 1: Water Availability Per Capita* | Figure 2: Water Withdrawals* |
Rainwater harvesting is one way to renew our incessant demand for a regular water supply - this may have been prefected by the Romans but it appears that Americans are way ahead in realising the value of this simple system as the environmental effects of climate change begin to take hold.
In Seattle, budget constraints and rising water prices have spawned the construction of rainwater harvesting systems. Utilities have recommended changes to the land use and building codes that encourage water conservation. SPU has also sponsored some wildly successful sales of rain barrels to Seattle residents.
Chicago encourages its citizens to disconnect downspouts. In addition, Chicago’s Water Agenda 2003 included a rooftop garden initiative, a pilot program for permeable alleys, and rain gardens planted in the City’s rights-of-way.
Austin offers rebates of up to $30 for newly installed rain barrels and of up to $500 for installation of rainwater harvesting systems, following design approval by the City.
The 10,000 Rain Gardens Program in Kansas City is an example of regional efforts to educate and introduce water conservation to the Kansas City community. Rain gardens are areas of vegetation on porous ground that can filter and drain excess storm water. Kansas City officials encourage their residents to plant these gardens on their own property.
Over the border in Canada, The City of Toronto Downspout Disconnection Program offers a free service to homeowners to disconnect downspouts from the sewer system and install rain barrels which are available at a discount.
Find out more about the effectiveness of Rainwater Harvesting on this informative site
Water is a free and valuable commodity that we should use more effectively.
Maybe the UK government should demonstrate their commitment to the environment by introducing council tax incentives that encourage homeowners to use rainwater systems instead of handing big profits to the Water Authorities.
Let me know your thoughts on this soggy issue?
August 9th, 2009 at 12:32 am
I’ve been blessed to have been a rainwater harvester for over 50 years. We have had up to 6 rain barrels going at once, at our home here in Florida. Because my Victory Garden is not as large this year, flowers & native plants not requiring as much water, we are down to two rain barrels.
Folks who participate in conserving rainwater from rain gutters and gutter downspouts realize how very important it is to keep those gutters extremely clean at all times. Clogged gutters stops water flow, causes stagnant water to collect (which entices mosquitoes to lay eggs, breed, and carry West Nile Virus, besides taking big chunks out of you. Clogged gutters also encourages bugs (roaches that carry 33 different infectious diseases) to hide under leaves & debris.
We encourage all residents with gutters to stay well, stay safe, and keep those gutters cleaner, so the rainwater flows freely and cleaner.
Everyone who hates cleaning out rain gutters I invite to come and visit me at http://www.gutterclutterbuster.com and see a cleaner, safer, faster, and easier method of cleaning out the gutters.