Collecting rainwater is one of the best ways to improve your homestead and increase your self-sufficiency. If you’re new to homesteading or just looking for small ways to start, getting a rainwater collection system is one of the best – and easiest – ways to start your homesteading journey. Before you get started, though, let’s make sure you know what you’re doing and the best ways to collect rainwater.
Why Collect Rainwater?
Not only does it increase your self-sufficiency, but it also saves you money. If you aren’t on a well, chances are you’re paying a decent amount of money each month for water. Imagine what you could do with hundreds – maybe thousands – of dollars in your pocket every year.
Rainwater collection also allows you to have extra water for all sorts of applications like gardening, cleaning, and cooking (once filtered)
If you run into a natural disaster or other major disruption, having a collection of rainwater can last you until service is restored.
Is Rainwater Collection Legal Where You Live?
Rainwater collection is legal in almost every state. However, just how much you collect can depend on where you live. For example, Colorado allows two 110-gallon containers, but nothing more. The Rocky Mountain State has the strictest restrictions on rainwater collection in the country. However, Texas, on the other hand, actively encourages rainwater collection to help prevent flooding and excess runoff.
If rainwater collection is important to you, look into your state laws. If you’re considering moving to start a homestead, make sure you’re aware of the local and state laws that govern your water sources.
Rainwater Purification Options
If you’re collecting rainwater through your gutters, you’ll need a strainer system to keep leaves and other large debris out. Of course, they may not prevent the smallest debris from getting in, which is why it’s important to purify your water if you plan on drinking it or cooking with it.
Before you buy a complex filtration system, have your rainwater tested. That’ll help you understand how healthy your local rain is and what sort of filtration system you need.
How to Collect Water
Not all buckets are suitable for collecting rainwater. Not all roofs are suitable for rainwater runoff either.
You want to look for dark-colored containers that won’t promote the growth of algae. Your best bet is to purchase something that’s certified as food-grade.
If you’re collecting rainwater from your roof, make sure it’s the right kind of roof. Most are fine, but the best are metal, tin, and terracotta. Asphalt shingle roofs can work, but they’re not the best option. Have water that runs off your asphalt roof tested before using it to see if you can make it potable through purification.
Types of Rainwater Collection Systems
Rain Barrels
Rain barrels are the simplest and most user-friendly system. Just get a bunch of barrels, set them up near your home, and wait for the rain to fill them. That’s about as simple as it gets. Of course, you probably want to have a food-grade barrel with a spigot towards the bottom.
Make sure you raise your barrel far enough off the ground that you can get a decent-sized bucket under it. Otherwise, you’ll have lots of trips with small cups. Of course, you can always just place the spigot higher, but that’ll mean leaving more rain sitting at the bottom.
“Dry” System
Dry systems are great for a large storage volume. You run a collection pipe from your roof into the large barrel you have at the bottom. This way, you can easily divert hundreds of gallons of water into your larger catch barrel. For homesteaders in areas that don’t have frequent rains, this can be a really handy system to employ.
Of course, this sort of system requires keeping your catch barrel close to your house. If you’re in the West, though, you’ll want to use this to take advantage of any storms that come through so you can fill your reservoir for a while.
“Wet” System
Wet systems keep the collection pipes underground. You’ll need to install a system that has multiple downspouts from different gutters that are diverted into your underground piping system. This is a good system for those who don’t want to – or can’t – locate their rainwater reservoir next to their house or other structure.
This system maximizes the amount of rain you can collect at once, all while keeping it away from the house. The tradeoff is that it’s more expensive to install and you’ll have to walk a longer distance when fetching water. If you’d rather have more water on hand and don’t mind the cost, wet systems are for you.
Start Your Self-Sufficiency Journey Today
Rainwater collection is a great way to save money and start your homestead journey. When you find the right collection system, pull the trigger and enjoy your newfound freedom!
Joe Coleman is a freelance travel, outdoor, and lifestyle writer based in East Texas. His love for all things outdoors started when living near Olympic National Park and has stayed with him ever since. You can find more of his work at colemancreates.com.
