Update On Our Rainwater Catchment System

We have now had our rain water collection system for a year and a half 

and it is time to give an update on how we are using it.

This is a continuation of the post I did over a year ago that you can access at
Designing And Installing A Rainwater Catchment System.

The first year was a bit frustrating as we were in what the National Weather Service 

describes as an "exceptional drought" which is their highest category.

It is hard to store water when there is no rain.
This relates to the topic of how to best size a rain water collection system.
When it is possible to go for more than six months with less than an inch of rain,
 a larger system may be necessary.

Designing And Installing A Rain Water Catchment System

We are just finishing up on a rainwater catchment system on our house

and our first big decision was what kind of tanks to use.

Of course we would have loved to have had nice galvanized tanks, 

but the reality is that the above ground polyethylene tanks we chose were more affordable, 

are easier to handle and install, are able to be moved,

 and will last much longer than the metal.

Many people go with below ground tanks but that requires different tanks,

 and the added cost of digging not to mention the disruption to the landscape,

and the added factor of pumping the water back up to the point of use.

Brad Lancaster At Celebrando Las Acequias 2011

We were fortunate to be able to attend the Celebrando las Acequias 2011,

 put on by the Arid Land Institute of Woodbury University 

and Estevan Arellano, among others.

This conference was held in Dixon, New Mexico June 10-12.

Rain Water Harvesting

It is hot and dry in the American South West
 so it must be a good time to talk about rain water harvesting.