Water conservation is in the news constantly. Here in the desert where I live our water bills are higher in the summer to discourage water use. How does one access the thousands of gallons of water that are available for free? Rainwater harvesting!
Some rainfall facts:
- One inch of rain can provide 600 gallons of rainwater runoff from a roof
- One inch of rain on an acre can provide 27,000 gallons of water
Searching online will come up with lots of information on how to harvest rainwater. This video was especially inspiring because it shows how one person inspired many and the creativeness of ordinary people.Yes, rainwater harvesting may take some work and time, but it’s worth it. This is a great project for residents also! Anyone can get started by simply putting out some buckets when it rains and collecting the water. Save those laundry soap containers with lids (when they are empty, they stack inside each other for storage)!
How the water can be used:
- Water indoor plants
- Water outdoor plants
- Wash cars
- Rinse cars
- Washing floors
Water can be harvested and stored on a larger scale with homemade or purchased rain barrels that come complete with a spout.
Landscapes can be designed to collect and hold water during rains. An area around gardens and trees can be built up with edging material, rocks, or dirt to hold water in place. “Canals” can be dug to redirect water runoff to a yard instead of on to the street or a wash.
Rainwater harvesting is good for the environment and will lower water bills. I would like to see the money that use to go to pay water bills would be returned to the group home to provide needed services (like dental work) or added to recreational funds to improve the quality of life for our residents. As staff, we can make the time and include it in the daily routine.
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