Rainwater harvesting is an innovative and sustainable solution for water conservation that has gained significant attention in recent years. The practice involves collecting and storing rainwater for various uses such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and washing. The value proposition of rainwater harvesting lies in its ability to reduce the dependence on municipal water supplies, lower water bills, and minimize the impact of droughts and floods. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American family spends more than $1,000 per year on water bills with the average household in the United States using about 300 gallons of water per day, which adds up to around 109,500 gallons per year. Thought It Was A Drought was formed to help reduce these averages. By installing a rainwater harvesting system, a household can save approximately 24,000 gallons per year with our 500 gallon tank. Below we will explore the sustainability goals associated with rainwater harvesting, how to make progress towards these goals, and the business model that supports it.
Sustainability Goals:
Rainwater harvesting is an environmentally friendly practice that aims to reduce the strain on municipal water supplies, decrease water waste, and promote water conservation. The primary sustainability goals of rainwater harvesting are:
- Reduce water consumption: By collecting and using rainwater, individuals and businesses can significantly reduce their water consumption, which in turn reduces the demand on municipal water supplies.
- Minimize wastewater: Rainwater harvesting systems can also help to minimize the amount of wastewater that enters the municipal sewer system, reducing the amount of energy needed to treat and dispose of wastewater.
- Reduce stormwater runoff: Stormwater runoff is a major contributor to flooding and erosion. Rainwater harvesting can help to reduce stormwater runoff by collecting and storing rainwater, which can then be used for non-potable purposes.
- Promote water security: By collecting and storing rainwater, communities can become more resilient to droughts and floods, promoting water security and reducing the risk of water scarcity.
How to Make Progress Towards Sustainability Goals:
To make progress towards the sustainability goals of rainwater harvesting, individuals and businesses can take the following steps:
- Assess water usage: Conduct an assessment of water usage to identify areas where rainwater harvesting can be implemented.
- Install rainwater harvesting systems: Install rainwater harvesting systems that can collect and store rainwater for various uses.
- Use rainwater for non-potable purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, and washing.
- Monitor and maintain the system: Regularly monitor and maintain the rainwater harvesting system to ensure its efficiency and effectiveness.
- Educate and raise awareness: Educate individuals and communities about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and the importance of water conservation.
- Vote for state representatives and local officials who promote regulatory and incentives for rainwater harvesting.
Business Model:
The business model for rainwater harvesting is based on the installation and maintenance of rainwater harvesting systems. Thought It Was A Drought offers a range of services, including:
- System design and installation: Design and install rainwater harvesting systems that are tailored to the specific needs of individuals and businesses.
- Maintenance and repair: Provide ongoing maintenance and repair services to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the rainwater harvesting system.
- Education and training: Educate individuals and communities about the benefits of rainwater harvesting and how to maintain and operate the systems.
Regulations Impacting the Business:
Rainwater harvesting is regulated by various government agencies, which can impact the business. Some of the regulations that may affect the rainwater harvesting business include:
- Building codes: Building codes may require rainwater harvesting systems to meet specific standards and requirements.
- Zoning regulations: Zoning regulations may limit the location and size of rainwater harvesting systems.
- Health and safety regulations: Health and safety regulations may require rainwater harvesting systems to meet specific standards for water quality and safety.
Methods to Collect Rainwater:
There are several methods to collect rainwater, including:
- Roof-based collection: Collecting rainwater from rooftops using gutters and downspouts.
2. Ground-based collection: Collecting rainwater from the ground using underground tanks and pipes.
3. Surface runoff collection: Collecting rainwater from surface runoff using ponds, dams, and other collection systems.
So How Much Rain Can You Collect?
The amount of rainfall that you can collect is governed by the following formula:
1″ of rain x 1 sq. ft. = 0.623 gallons
By using the annual average precipitation for your area, you can calculate the amount of rainwater collectable for your needs.
Authoritative Reference Titles:
- “Rainwater Harvesting: A Guide to the Planning, Design, and Implementation of Rainwater Harvesting Systems” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- “Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond: Volume 1 – Guidelines for the Collection, Storage, and Use of Rainwater in Drylands” by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
- “Rainwater Harvesting: A Sustainable Solution for Water Conservation” by the International Water Association (IWA).
In conclusion, rainwater harvesting is a sustainable solution for water conservation that can help individuals and businesses reduce their water consumption, minimize wastewater, reduce stormwater runoff, and promote water security. To make progress towards the sustainability goals of rainwater harvesting, it is important to assess water usage, install rainwater harvesting systems, use rainwater for non-potable purposes, monitor and maintain the system, and educate and raise awareness within communities.
Quentin Jackson
I love that it is such a simple, “low-tech”, but high-impact solution! Based on Georgia being in a good rainwater zone, I might have to look at this for my house 🙂 Additionally, I appreciate the map of local regulations and it aligns well with our discussion in class about the role that the Government can play in encouraging (or discouraging) initiatives like this.
There is also probably some benefit for homes with poor drainage and by collecting rainwater they would also be preventing flooding or foundation damage in the future. It is a triple-benefit to help protect your house (a large investment), reduce your water bill, and reuse water for other personal reasons!
Amazing concept Quentin! It is broken down it is simplest form, but it has so many layers to sustainability. I like how you evaluate the benefits of rain water in order to form a more sustainable environment. Water and its usage is a very interesting topic in regard to sustainability goals. At My organization, we recycle waste water and provide it back to the city. The water that we return is better quality than what we originally received from the city. I see your proposal as something similar with it being a long-lasting goal and a viable resource for not only sustainable goals, but it will aide in natural resource disasters as well.
I appreciate these types of practical solutions. I wonder how feasible it would be to scale up the reservoir and pair it with a home filtration system to make it potable, available for whole home use, and replace something closer 100% of the home’s annual water usage for maximum benefit.
I share the same thought. Incorporating a rainwater-to-mains switch for household use, like laundry, could significantly enhance appliance lifespan and overall efficiency. Rainwater, being softer compared to municipal water, helps reduce mineral build-up. However, it’s worth noting that rain harvesting is most effective with metal roofs, as certain roofing materials can impact water quality.
The purest form of water, the elixir of life is rain water. Harvesting it for daily use and not letting it drain away to oceans has several advantages that your post has mention of. The idea to have harvesting systems customized to individual family needs is great, especially in states with abundance of rain like GA. Such a concept is also catching up globally, especially in the tropics and has proven to be effective. In some countries like India, there are government funded schemes to assist homeowners to install a harvesting system. This concept also significantly contributes to global sustainability goals for a healthier and safer planet. I definitely see a need of your assistance with what I intend to achieve on a small scale.
Thoughtful project, Quentin! ‘Never take anything for granted!’ Yes, this is so true, and I have witnessed it in my lifespan. As a child, our city was situated near a river that was always full and running. However, by the time I turned 20, the river had vanished, leaving behind dry land. In the subsequent 5 to 7 years, drought began spreading. Recognizing the urgency, our state government initiated the ‘rainwater harvesting’ campaign, mandating all buildings to implement rainwater harvesting. Unfortunately, due to a lack of knowledgeable service providers, people started implementing the rainwater harvesting idea, resulting in a mere namesake project. It is not too early to think about rainwater harvesting. This proactive and sustainable business idea would make more sense in Georgia. But as you mentioned regulations will become a challenge here. If possible btter to have the partnership of government to do the campaign. If a quality service provider is available, I would choose this option for my home.
During the drought of 2007 I thought about installing a rain water collection system to use for irrigation and other gray water uses. When I really got around to figuring out how to do it, the drought was no longer an issue and my attention went to other things. But it will happen again, so making efforts in this area are needed while we have the opportunity. I believe gov’t incentives will be required, as anything underground can be expensive. An effort to scale this up might include entire subdivision collection systems where all houses use the collected water for flushing, irrigation, etc.