Rainwater Harvesting

In March of 2023, I went through the Watershed Management Group’s Water Harvesting Certificate Program. I have wanted to go through this training program since I became more interested in rainwater harvesting a couple of years ago. I felt like there was no better time because I recently committed to running the North Orange County … Read more

I have been working in the stormwater industry for almost ten years now. During this time, I have worked in several positions related to stormwater and water resources engineering. Late last year, I began a new job. The company I currently work for is involved in many rainwater harvesting projects. After learning more about rainwater … Read more

The purpose of a pump is to add energy to a fluid (water in the case of a rainwater harvesting system) such that the water leaving the pump has more energy than the water entering the pump. In this way, pumps make it possible to collect rainwater in a tank and use it for drip … Read more

There are specific considerations associated with designing an active rainwater harvesting system that will be located in a forested area and/or an area prone to wildfires. Storing water in fire-prone areas increases wildfire resilience because it can serve as a backup water supply in case of an emergency. In many cases, storing water in fire-prone … Read more

Humans have been capturing and storing rainwater for a very long time. However, the practice of rainwater harvesting is not very common in modern times because we have a network of pumps, wells, and treatment plants that transport clean drinking water to our taps. In general, many of us (in the United States) are fortunate … Read more

Rainwater harvesting has a long history. However, in many places around the world, the practice of rainwater harvesting has diminished significantly. Admittedly, it is much easier to obtain water by turning on the tap. However, as water consumption outpaces the rate of groundwater recharge, water supplies are becoming increasingly stressed. This problem is exacerbated by … Read more

The best tank material for your site depends on a variety of factors including whether the tank is to be installed above ground or underground, your budget, the water quality required, the site configuration, climate, and structural characteristics. Selecting an appropriate tank for your rainwater harvesting system is important because it is most likely the … Read more

As climate change makes drought more prevalent, people are looking for solutions to make their homes and communities more resilient to drought. Rainwater harvesting is a tool to help address such water-related challenges. In many places around the world, rainwater harvesting is nothing new. People have been collecting and storing water in tanks for thousands … Read more