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Rainwater Containers: How much water from your harvesting?
How much water can you collect in rainwater containers during a decent rainfall?
The average rainstorm involves between half an inch and an inch of rainwater. For every half inch that falls on only 1,000 square feet of roof or other flat surface, you can expect to collect up to 300 gallons of fresh rainwater.
Look at the average seasonal rainfall in your region. Is it 15 inches? On a 1,000 square foot catchment area (a roof that is 20 feet by 50 feet for example) that will produce about 9,000 gallons of rainwater ready for harvesting! Your rain barrels or containers could be be huge!
To figure the water needs of your household, the easiest thing to do is look at your water bills. Sometimes the units used are hard to convert to gallons, but you can call the water company with help on that. Let's say you will be harvesting the rainwater in your rain containers for the summer planting season only - you can check out how many more gallons you use in those months as an estimate of your needs. This will not only benefit you, but it will also lessen the strain on your local water supply.
Rainwater harvesting from roofs, decks, patios, garages, etc. can bring you fresh and useable water straight out of the barrel or other container. The savings are immediate, the taste is fresh, and your conservation of fresh water resources will feel good.
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