1. Rainwater Harvesting – Capturing Nature’s Best
The first point to get across is that all rainfall is valuable and as good Master Gardeners and stewards of our natural resources, managing rainfall is the first key to good stewardship.
Rainfall captured on the land recharges aquifers, is filtered by vegetation and runs off slowly carrying very little sediment. Rainfall infiltration into the soil provides plants with a bank of water. Adding compost to the soil improves the soil’s water holding ability and mulch on the surface cools the soil surface, reduces evaporation and slows water runoff.
The impact of capturing rainfall, improves aquifer recharge, helps plants to grow which in-turn provides for insects, animals and birds (and humans) and all the other creatures in the soil we can not see.
All Rainfall Is Valuable

2. Renewed Interest in Collecting Rainwater
*Increased Demand for a Decreasing Water Supply
*Health Concerns
*Reducing Storm Water
Rainwater capture has been around for thousands of years. Our forefathers who settled this land, many depended on above or below ground cisterns and their home’s roof for water for their very survival.
The above picture is typical of many homes which had a cistern right out the back door.
But with the introduction of electricity, well drilling equipment and municipal water supplies, most of the cisterns were abandoned.
Cisterns Used To Be The Standard For Many People

3. Rainwater Uses:
*Attract and provide water for wildlife, birds and butterflies
*Add interest, soothing sound and beauty
*Or treated and used for all in-home use
Mist systems do not clog up from mineral build-up.
Supplemental landscape water needs because our turf demands so much water, we can not store enough. We will figure on that later.
The picture on the right is of a 2500 gallon galvanized tank at a vet. Clinic giving the place a country appeal. The water is used for irrigation.

4. Passive Collection Rain gardens, Berms,and Basins
The idea of passive collection is to reduce runoff and put more water into the ground so it can be used by plants or recharge aquifers. Designing the landscape to hold or slow water movement down reduces storm water and increases the bank of water available for plants.

5. Complex /Active Rainwater Harvesting
Most of the talk will be geared to a complex system that will include a roof of some kind, a gutter, downspouts, storage and delivered for its designed purpose - irrigation, wildlife, pets, livestock or in-home use.

6. Rain Barrels 6

7. Cisterns are available in many sizes and types of material

8. Distribute Water to Desired Location
Drip irrigation
Water garden
Wildlife and Livestock water
Sprayer tanks
Sprinklers -with pressure
In home