rainfallnow.com
Why harvest rainwater?
We can all learn to consume less. Sure, in most parts of the developed world there is no shortage of water. We don't feel the impact
of not having enough of this vital to life resource. Most of us distance ourselves from the thirsting masses in other parts of the world.
Even in our arid desert areas we easily afford the limited supply of water. Those in undeveloped nations are not so lucky.
As population grows, demand for water will continue to rise. How much direct effect the developed world feels from the dwindling
water supply is yet to be seen. Whether we face shortages or not, we will feel the impact indirectly.
Even throwing out the moral justification for harvesting rain, most gardeners know the benefit of real water on their plants. Municipal
water supplies are often tainted with chemicals that kill bacteria and other organisms to make the water "safe" for human
consumption. These chemicals and other "preservatives" effectively kill the water and quite effectively poison our plants.
A rainwater harvesting system can cost less than a hundred dollars and can save thousands of gallons of water over its useful
lifetime. The benefits to plant life and conservation effects far outweigh the costs for such a system. A simple gutter draining into a
barrel will capture over 100 gallons of water on a 10'x20' surface with a half inch of rain.
With a big enough container and a small pump rainwater can be converted to home use for what is called "gray" water purposes.
With some simple plumbing, this collected water can be pumped for use in toilet flushing saving over 3000 gallons per year for the
average family of four.
We can all learn to consume less. Sure, in most parts of the developed world there is no shortage of water. We don't feel the impact
of not having enough of this vital to life resource. Most of us distance ourselves from the thirsting masses in other parts of the world.
Even in our arid desert areas we easily afford the limited supply of water. Those in undeveloped nations are not so lucky.
As population grows, demand for water will continue to rise. How much direct effect the developed world feels from the dwindling
water supply is yet to be seen. Whether we face shortages or not, we will feel the impact indirectly.
Even throwing out the moral justification for harvesting rain, most gardeners know the benefit of real water on their plants. Municipal
water supplies are often tainted with chemicals that kill bacteria and other organisms to make the water "safe" for human
consumption. These chemicals and other "preservatives" effectively kill the water and quite effectively poison our plants.
A rainwater harvesting system can cost less than a hundred dollars and can save thousands of gallons of water over its useful
lifetime. The benefits to plant life and conservation effects far outweigh the costs for such a system. A simple gutter draining into a
barrel will capture over 100 gallons of water on a 10'x20' surface with a half inch of rain.
With a big enough container and a small pump rainwater can be converted to home use for what is called "gray" water purposes.
With some simple plumbing, this collected water can be pumped for use in toilet flushing saving over 3000 gallons per year for the
average family of four.
Can we produce truly organic food without rainwater?
Unless you have access to a well or other natural water source, the answer is
emphatically, "NO!" Organic implies that nature is the giver of life. If we pollute nature's
water resource, it is no longer organic. Watering plants with chlorinated water not only
stunts the growth of the plant, it poisons what is to become our food supply.
Right now, U.S. farmers receive water at 2% the cost of the general public. The
government subsidizes the additional 98% of the cost so that water production facilities
are paid. We will continue to bear the cost of production of our food, poisoned with
chlorinated water, until we learn to control our consumption, harvest our own water, so
that the resource is more readily available and less of it is needed for residential
purposes.
Unless you have access to a well or other natural water source, the answer is
emphatically, "NO!" Organic implies that nature is the giver of life. If we pollute nature's
water resource, it is no longer organic. Watering plants with chlorinated water not only
stunts the growth of the plant, it poisons what is to become our food supply.
Right now, U.S. farmers receive water at 2% the cost of the general public. The
government subsidizes the additional 98% of the cost so that water production facilities
are paid. We will continue to bear the cost of production of our food, poisoned with
chlorinated water, until we learn to control our consumption, harvest our own water, so
that the resource is more readily available and less of it is needed for residential
purposes.
Make a difference. Start your water conservation project today! Think before you use and harvest if you can.
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