Rainwater capture and storage during the rainy season is a smart, forward-thinking way to deal with drier times. It’s easy and affordable to install a rainwater tank and will make your plants and soil happy.

Read on to discover more reasons to store your rainwater now.

1. Storage is easy

With the help of gravity, a well-placed rainwater tank collects roof runoff without any bells or whistles.

When ordering your rainwater tank, make sure it:

·       Has a screen for filtering out debris

·       Is made of opaque material to keep the water in darkness (light allows bacteria and algae to grow)

·       Is clean, or can be easily cleaned if it’s being repurposed

·       Has a spigot for easy access

·       Has an overflow mechanism for when the container gets full

Tip: Before you purchase or install a rainwater tank, be sure to check local council laws.

2. You’ll have a free supply of water when you need it 

When that next dry spell or drought comes along, you’ll be glad you have access to free irrigation water to help see your plants through to the next rain.

The larger the storage capacity, the longer you can irrigate your garden during extreme drought. In drought-prone country like Australia, even native and drought-tolerant plants can die off during extra-long dry periods.

You can store water in a rainwater tank without worrying that it will go bad. As long as the water is kept in darkness and no algae or bacteria grow, you can harvest the water for non-potable uses such as irrigation.

3. It’s easy on you and your budget

Start-up costs for a rainwater tank can be pretty minimal, depending on the size and material. And, depending on where you live, some local governments subsidize rainwater tank installation, allowing you to purchase them for a nominal fee. 

You’ll be saving money on potable water costs because you’ll be using the stored water to irrigate your garden and for flushing your toilets instead of drinkable water from the tap.

4. Rainwater is better for soil and plants

Rainwater is the preferred water for plants and soil because it’s cleaner and softer than most city water. Municipal water has trace amounts of salts and minerals that can build up in soil, especially in areas with infrequent rain.

Avoid collecting pollutants from car exhaust, roofing materials and other environmental sources by using a “first flush” diverter for your barrel. This device diverts the first batch of roof runoff, which is the dirtiest.

5. There are numerous environmental benefits

Rainwater storage is the first step at intercepting stormwater runoff. Stored rainwater used to irrigate the garden percolates through the soil, which allows nature to clean the water, as opposed to it running as dirty water directly into local water systems, which degrades water quality and can lead to flooding and erosion downstream.

It also takes the stress off aging infrastructure.

How does one little barrel make a difference? If more homeowners store and intercept rainwater using tanks, swales and rain gardens, local environments and water quality will improve. It’s a small change that, when replicated by many people, can have a large positive impact.

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This article via Falon Milahic does not constitute advice; readers should seek independent and personalised counsel from an appropriate trusted adviser that specialises in property, a tax accountant and property or interior design specialist.