Collecting rainwater to water your garden is a very effective way to conserve water so that there is more drinking water available, especially in water-scarce areas.
Have you ever looked at a roof when it is raining and wondered just how much water rolls off? A good estimate is that approximately 2.2 litres of water per square foot of roof during a one-inch shower. This translates into around 1 900 litres of water on 1,000 square foot or 92.9 square meter roof. That is a LOT of water.
Collecting Rainwater to Water Your Garden
Collecting rainwater to water your garden is not as difficult as it may sound. You do not need to stand under the eaves with a bucket; you don’t even need to get up onto the roof.
Diverting rainwater from your roof, especially if your house has gutters, is very simple and can be achieved in just a few steps:
1. Invest in a large rain barrel in which to collect the rainwater. There are special containers that you can get for this, and they are not that expensive either. They are also fitted with holes for the water to run into and for you to get the water out. If you do not have a lot of space, you can also use a food-grade plastic drum with opaque sides. Clean the inside of your barrel with a solution of bleach and water before use.
2. Place a tap in the spot meant for it. If you are using a different type of barrel, drill a 2.4-centimeter hole a few inches above the bottom and thread it with a 1.9-centimeter tap similar those found in your garden or outside your kitchen.
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3. Build a platform for your rain barrel so that you have some clearance to fill a watering can; it also adds more water pressure to push the water inside through a hose. Make sure that the platform is steady; concrete blocks work nicely for this.
4. Connect the downspout from your gutter to your rain barrel. Make sure that it rests snugly in the opening of the rain barrel so that mosquitoes are prevented from entering and laying eggs. If you have a metal gutter, you can cut it to approximately a metre above the barrel and connect the two with a bit of plastic piping called a downspout extender.
5. If the barrel you are using is not a ready-made rain barrel, you will have to drill a small hole near the top of the barrel to drain excess water and prevent overflow. It is a good idea to attach a hose to this hole and divert the excess water into the garden. Place some mesh over the hole to keep mosquitoes out.
It is possible to collect enough rainwater in the winter to last throughout the summer if you use large enough barrels. This means that you will not have to use any council water at all, which will result in great water and financial savings.
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