How to Use Rain Water

Collecting rainwater is a great way to conserve water. If people living in cities can reduce the usage of municipal water during hotter months, there will be more water to go around. People living in the country can also conserve water from their wells by using rain water. Rain barrels are an effective way to collect water. You can easily install a barrel underneath a gutter to collect rainwater for multiple uses around your home.

Things You'll Need

• Rain barrel
• Downspout extension

Instructions

1. Use rainwater for your lawn or garden. You can install an extension to a rain gutter downspout to divert rainwater to water your lawn or garden (see Resources below).

2. Use rainwater from your rain barrel in your toilet. Some cities have laws against using rainwater in toilets, so check with your local city representatives first before you apply this idea. If it is against the law, you can write a letter to your state representative voicing your displeasure at having to use drinking water in your toilet instead of rainwater.

3. Mix rainwater with your car's antifreeze. You can conserve water by using rainwater in your radiator.

4. Wash your car with rainwater. Grab a bucketful of rainwater out of your rain barrel. Mix your soap in it as usual, and you can give your car a natural bath.

5. Mop your floors with rainwater. Use a bucket of rainwater when you mop your floors as usual.

6. Water your houseplants with rainwater. Rainwater is naturally soft, which will be a benefit to your plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Install a safe rainwater collecting system. You should use a first-flush diverter (see Resources below) along with your rain barrel. This diverter will collect the first rainfall off the roof which usually has the most contaminants in the water. Sediments and other unwanted organic material will also be diverted into a separate chamber to keep them out of your rain barrel.

• Inspect your roof and gutters to find out what type of materials they are made from. Make sure your gutters do not contain lead-based paint or lead solder. Rooftops you do not want to collect water from include cedar shake (treated), tar and gravel, and asbestos shingle roofs, which will all produce contaminated water. If you are unsure of the composition of your roof and gutters, pay a professional roofer or gutter installer to come to your home and tell you.

References

• Rain Barrel Guide
• Harvesting Rainwater