Rainwater harvesting is an innovative alternative water supply approach anyone can use. Rainwater harvesting captures, diverts, and stores rainwater for later use.

Implementing rainwater harvesting is beneficial because it reduces demand on existing water supply, and reduces run-off, erosion, and contamination of surface water.

Rainwater can be used for nearly any purpose that requires water. These include landscape use, stormwater control, wildlife and livestock watering, in-home use, and fire protection. Please see the menu on the right to learn more about each use.

A rainwater harvesting system can range in size and complexity. All systems have basics components, which include a catchment surface, conveyance system, storage, distribution, and treatment. For more information on each, please see the menu on the right titled “System Components.”

Related Resources

 

Rainwater Harvesting : Homeowners and landowners can construct systems to capture, store and use rainwater to water their landscape plants.

 

 

Rainwater Harvesting: System Planning : This manual was created to help contractors, consultants, land owners, and others plan rainwater harvesting systems.  Also available in Spanish.