Page 34 - Boardwalk Meander Issue 1_2024

WATER MATTERS

of rainwater harvesting, especially at
home. The water tanks are installed
below the downspouts of the rooftops
guttering system. The water is then
funnelled/directed into the tanks.
The tank can be connected to provide
backup water to your current plumbing
system, or it can be attached to a pipe
for drip irrigation. The use of barrels
or tanks is ideal since it can store
significant amounts of water.
Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting
In both urban and rural settings,
harvesting can be done by the use of
infrastructure. One of the simplest ways
of storing water from the collection
is storage tanks. In most cases, the
harvested water is usually redirected
to storage tanks, cisterns or reservoirs.
The water is usually stored for later
use. Using roofs of buildings is the best
way to harvest rainwater. There are
numerous advantages in doing so.

6. Cover your pool simplest and oldest methods of self- 1. Easy to Maintain
And not just in the cooler months. A supply of water which been used in The use of a rainwater harvesting system
typical pool can lose some 5 000 litres South Asia and other countries for many is a great advantage to any community.
yearly just due to evaporation. For larger thousands of years. Now a days, scarcity First and foremost, the collection offers
pools, consider a portable, roller-type of good quality water has become a a better and more efficient utilisation
device that can mechanically retract and significant cause of concern. of an energy resource. It is important
store the cover while you’re swimming. because potable water is usually not
The Rainwater Harvesting System is renewable, thus reducing wastage.
Harvest rainwater, use one of your one of the best methods practised and The systems used for water collection
gutters down pipes into your pool to top followed to support the conservation are based on simple techniques that
it up. of water. It is collection and storage of are very easy to maintain. The overall
7. The garden. rain, rather than allowing it to run off. expenses used in setting up harvesting
One-third of residential water use goes Rainwater, which is pure in form and of methods are much cheaper compared to
toward watering the lawn and garden. good quality, can be used for watering other purifying or pumping means. Also,
But flowers, grasses, and bushes native gardens, washing, cleaning, bathing, maintenance of such systems is feasible
to the area have adapted to regional cooking, livestock, irrigation, and on the economic front as it does not
rainfall rates—so require no water. domestic uses. require deep pockets.
Another bonus: Native plants foster
healthy soil and insect life, which attract What Is Rainwater Harvesting? 2. Reducing Water Bills
birds and enhance overall biodiversity. So, what is rainwater harvesting? It is a Although harvested water may not
technique or strategy for the collection be used for drinking purposes, it can
Water your lawn only when it needs it. of rainwater and storing it in the right be used in may other ways. It will
Watering on a regular schedule doesn’t way for future use. The water can be immediately reduce one’s utility bills.
allow for cool spells or rainfall which collected from various surfaces and It is ideal for both residential and
reduce the need for watering. Step on platforms and stored for later use. commercial properties.
some grass. If it springs back up when In most cases, the water is usually
you move your foot, it doesn’t need collected from rooftops and other 3. Suitable for Irrigation
water. hard surfaces. Rainwater harvesting Harvesting allows the collection of large
is considered as a very reliable way to amounts of water. Most rooftops provide
When you do water your lawn, water conserve water. the necessary platform for collecting
it long enough for water to seep down This technique has been around for a water. Rainwater is usually free from
to the roots where it is needed. A very long time and was practiced in the harmful chemicals, which makes it ideal
light sprinkling that sits on the surface ancient times. Over the past years, this for irrigation purposes.
will simply evaporate and be wasted. ancient method of water storage has
Position your sprinklers so that water grown quite popular.
lands on your lawn or garden, not in Save water, conserve water
areas where it does no good. Various methods can be used to and Protect the Environment
Rainwater Harvesting collect rainwater. Water tanks are the Jan-Louis
Rainwater harvesting is one of the easiest and most affordable method

32
Boardwalk Meander Estate Issue 1 · 2024