Why Harvest Rainwater?

Shoutout to our friends at Catching H2O for inspiring this article 🙌

Water is cheap – as it should be. After all, we are talking about a basic right. With such low prices, it can feel hard to justify investing in rainwater harvesting. However, water isn’t always so cheap, and there are hosts of other reasons to collect and use water locally. Localizing water resources has a massive beneficial impact on our society, and we can also reap the benefits on an individual level.

Here are a few reasons to start harvesting rainwater now:

Government efforts aren’t cutting it

Issues at Hyperion Treatment Plant are ongoing.

While LADWP and LASan have big plans to deliver recycled water to their customers in the next few decades, the truth is it’s easier said than done. It’s fantastic that utilities are working to localize water resources, but they are already struggling to meet standards for regular sewage treatment at plants like Hyperion. Treating water to potable standards and delivering it will be even more challenging. In the meantime, we can lay the foundations for a sustainable future and reap the benefits now.

Prices will go up

Inevitably, water prices will go up, and it will never be cheaper to install a rainwater system than it is now.

Stay out of high use tier pricing

Even now, it’s easy to get into higher pricing tiers when using water for irrigation. Suddenly, the water flowing through the tap isn’t that affordable. By replacing irrigation use with sustainably sourced water you can stay out of high use pricing.

We favor simple, low-tech setups that will provide water savings for decades to come with minimal maintenance.

Keep it simple

Technologies like desalination and potable re-use promise to bring local water supplies, but they are incredibly energy and resource intensive. A network of local, low-tech systems reduces the need for massive engineering projects.

Emergency use

These massive centralized systems have another weakness – in case of major emergencies such as power outages, earthquakes or fires, they could stop working. Having a source of water to fall back on is always a good idea.

Avoid restrictions

When dry times roll around again and irrigation is limited, your harvested rainwater will not be affected. Now you can keep watering despite restrictions, insuring your valuable landscape against drought.

Mitigate flooding & runoff

If you have flooding issues, a strategically placed cistern can hold water that would otherwise be inundating your property. It also stops water from running off onto the street where it picks up contaminants and drags them to the ocean. Instead, that water stays on site nourishing the land.

Rain tanks can mitigate flooding and offset water consumption. These are conveniently hidden under a wooden deck.

Superior quality water

Plants LOVE rainwater! With around 5 ph to city water’s 8 ph, rainwater is much softer and free of chemicals. Your plants will grow better with less water. Sensitive plant varieties will be extra grateful.

Pure satisfaction

We saved the best for last. Once it’s all said and done, it’s hard to beat the feeling of having a fully localized, sustainable and resilient water source on your property. Watering the garden will feel extra good when you harvested that water yourself. Now it’s time to reap the benefits and enjoy what you’ve built!