Importance of Rainwater

Rain provides fresh water that can be used for drinking or watering gardens

Rainwater is a necessary part of the water cycle on planet Earth and vital to a balanced ecosystem. Rain falling from the sky allows water to reenter lakes, rivers and oceans after being cycled via evaporation. Rainwater is harvested for use on gardens and provides drinking water for humans and other animals.

Water Cycle

Rainwater is an important part of how water cycles itself on Earth. Water from oceans travels around and is evaporated into the atmosphere. After enough water is stored in the sky, it eventually comes back down to Earth as rain, feeding plants, animals and people.

Fresh Water

Rainwater provides an environment with fresh water. Rain is necessary to keep water moving around, replenishing lakes, rivers and oceans and moving nutrients along via runoff. Rain becomes part of groundwater that keeps ecosystems in check.

Water Conservation

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, many countries suffering from water shortage benefit from rainwater harvesting projects. Rainwater is harvested to provide people with water for drinking and agricultural uses.

References

• United States Geological Survey; The Water Cycle- Water Science for Schools; Summary of the Water Cycle
• Kidzone; The Water Cycle
• United Nations Environment Programme; Freshwater Ecosystems

Resources

• City of Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainablility; Rainwater Harvesting
• Stockholm Environment Institute; Blessing from the Sky...; Sterle Hauge Simonsen; April 22, 2009