I’m Rainwater Harvesting Today, and Reflecting on an Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
My regular readers know that I live an eco-friendly lifestyle. Today, that means one of my priorities is running around with buckets of rainwater that I’ve collected.
Currently, I use a very simple method of rainwater harvesting.
Buckets.
For the last couple of days, we’ve had wonderful rain on the tropical island where I now live.
The garden smells wonderful, and the plants have really perked up – they love rainwater.
In between the heavy showers of rain, I have been running around with my buckets and other receptacles. I want to collect as much rainwater as possible – I’m “saving for a non-rainy day”.
Ideally, I’d be using proper rainwater harvesting barrels or tanks, but because I’m renting a home for the moment, I’m not allowed to cut the downpipes and place barrels underneath them, nor place proper water tanks.
So it’s buckets.
Everywhere.
They’re not très elegant and they’re certainly not as efficient as a rainwater barrel or a tank.
But, as long as there’s a downpour, I get rainwater collected nicely.
- Proper rainwater barrels are more efficient than buckets, because they collect water from a larger surface area – the roof – which then comes down the downpipe.
- Rainwater barrels have lids, and sometimes debris screens, so the water is cleaner and stays fresher for longer.
- Tanks store large amounts of water.
- And rainwater barrels and tanks often come with hoses and/or spigot taps to make watering easier.
Buckets don’t have those advantages.
Rainwater barrels tend to look better than buckets too – there are some really attractive ones available now.
But, buckets are better than nothing, and I’m enjoying using the rainwater.
I use it for the garden of course, on days when it doesn’t rain. My fruits and veggies thrive on rainwater, and the flowers love it too.
But I’m also using it to make up various products such as mosquito repellents, household cleaners, fresheners, etc.
I don’t know if it makes my products any better, but I enjoy using the rainwater I’ve harvested.
And now I need to go and rescue my plants. My dogs are enjoying the cooler weather. They’re celebrating with wild gallops in the garden.
Well, through the garden actually.
Which is decidedly life-threatening for the plants.
Perhaps some fencing is in order before I trundle off to work.
You might also like: Rainwater Harvesting – Super Eco Friendly Products
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Glad to hear about the rain. I’m sure it smells/feels/looks wonderful. Maybe after this summer we’ll get back to that natural beauty. Right now, New Mexico = Thunderdome. Most all of our eco-friendly advice seems to be coming from Smokey Bear. Not complaining, just a little envious of tropical climes right now. Enjoy the terrific weather.
Love the taste of rainwater . Good idea to filter it for higher quality .
I couldn’t agree more about choices and awareness. Every little bit counts and it really adds up. Naomi and I both drive Prius cars and we have a 26 panel solar array. Obviously we have a pretty good air conditioner and heater as well. We recycle just about everything. None of these things are difficult. It’s about habit. It’s also kind of like exercise, getting started is the hardest part but once it’s in your routine it’s as easy to be environmentally sound as it is to be destructive.
That’s SUCH a good point Kevin, that it’s a habit. Not difficult at all once it’s all part of the daily routine. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for input! We definitely could all use a lot more information how to be eco-friendly. There are so many simple ways for anyone to contribute. Its information like this that can help those of us that need it!
Thanks!
Thanks very much for your comment Jeff! There are loads more easy-to-implement tips in this blog, (sign up to receive weekly updates!) 🙂 and even though each of our actions may be small in the overall scheme of things, each person making eco-friendly choices makes a difference. When enough people make the right choices for the environment, we WILL make a meaningful difference!
Clare, these are all great points when it comes to collecting rain water. Thanks for sharing.
Scott Sylvan Bell
Clare, I find that being in a new and lovely country I am even more determined to live an “eco” lifesyle.
Sonya Lenzo
Good for you Sonya!
Thank you!
Hi Green Goddess,
I do particularly like to be careful about water usage and collecting and harvesting rain water as you demonstrate here. Every little bit we do that is ecofriendly helps us to be better stewards of the planet.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Absolutely – every little bit helps! Thanks April!
A couple months ago, my city sponsored a skill share workshop where I took a Rain Barrel Building class. I now have a lovely apricot smelling (the free barrel was from a brewery that made apricot beer) 55 gallon barrel all ready to be set up under a pipe.
The teacher mentioned that even holding back 55 gallons of rain water makes it easier for the municipal water system on a very rainy day. I like imagining a world where every house has some kind of rain harvesting system. Some day…
Mil, those are wonderful concepts – first, the skill-share workshop, and now apricot-smelling rain barrel – well done on making it, that’s a great skill to have, and I know you’re going to enjoy watering your garden with the contents! The teacher is absolutely correct, it really helps. It’s funny how globally, we no longer harvest rainwater – long ago, it was practised worldwide….. I agree, it’s nice picture to imagine!