How to Save on Your Water Bill

   Water is a precious resource. It’s important to be aware of water usage before the summer storms hit, and even then, being water-smart is important to the ever increasing demand and decreasing supply. Rainwater harvesting is the most trending way to save on water when it comes to landscape irrigation, wildlife and livestock watering, in-home use and fire protection. It also helps with storm water control to prevent flooding, and because the the new modern tanks are sealed from light the water stays clean for months, so it can be used for nearly any purpose that requires water.

   Landscape and gardening irrigation is one of the largest usage of water collected in tanks. It is one of the easiest ways to use stored rainwater because it can be used without pumps and without treatment. It’s great for plants because it is free from salts and other minerals that harm root growth. As rainwater percolates into the soil, it forces salts down and away from root zones, allowing roots to grow better, making plants more drought tolerant.

   The catchment area, generally a roof, is the first point of contact for rainfall when using a tank-based rainwater harvesting system. The size of the roof will determine how much rainwater can be harvested. You can determine how much rainwater you roof can collect by multiplying the square footage (SF) and annual rain fall for the year. The total sum is then multiplied by .633. For example; the average rainfall in Show Low, Arizona is 17”. So, a 1000 SF roof can collect 10,761 gallons of water! Even a smaller 100 SF roof can collect 1,076 gallons per year.

   Rain gutters can be added to the outside of a building at any time. Proper sizing of gutters are important to collect as much rainwater as possible. Before storing the rainwater that you have collected, it’s important to filter it to remove particles and debris. You can put a stainless steel mesh over the gutter, called a “gutter guard” to filter water off a roof. Once you have collected and filtered the rainwater, you can distribute it through a hose, contracted channels, perforated pipes or a manual drip system that directs the water from the tank to the landscape area or garden. Gates and diverters can be used to control the rate of flow and direction.

   If you need to collect water for household uses, an additional filter system inside the house is needed. Depending on the use, will determine the type of filter you will need. If it is only for laundry, grey water or even showering, an inexpensive filter can be used to ensure safety. This is a great way to reduce your water bill and bypass water restrictions during drought conditions.

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