When it rains, will you be ready?
By Melissa Clifton Sturdivant
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Our land and streams are parched. Evidence suggests that our climate is changing. Whether this can be attributed to increased carbon dioxide levels and global warming as some theorize or just the normal cycle of our planet, our region is expected to continue with these periodic and long-term drought conditions. When it does rain, will you be ready and what can you do?
Texas AgriLife Extension Service has developed a statewide rainwater harvesting initiative to protect our natural resources and to maximize responsible use and sustainability of the natural resources that we do have. In many Texas communities, 30 to 50 percent of the total water consumed is used for irrigation of home landscapes.
By collecting rainwater, you reduce the demand on our municipal water supply, and your water utility bill is reduced, too. Collecting rainwater saves you money! Rainwater, with a neutral pH level of 7.0, is free of salts and contaminants, because we capture the rainfall before it comes into contact with asphalt surfaces and treated landscapes. Rainwater actually has a slight nitrogen content which fertilizes our plants — naturally.
As you consider installing a rainwater collection system so you are ready when the rain falls, follow these guidelines to help you in selecting and managing a collection system:
• Storage containers may be made of polyethylene, fiberglass, wood, concrete or metal.
• Storage of rainwater can be accomplished above or below ground.
• For underground storage, containers can include swimming pools, stock tanks and septic tanks. An underground system will require a pump to move the water from the collection system.
• For aboveground containers, select one that is opaque in color. Tanks that are translucent or clear allow light to penetrate through the walls, and this will encourage algae growth. If necessary, paint a light-colored tank black.
• Place aboveground systems near downspouts or at roof valleys.
• Elevate aboveground containers higher than the surrounding landscape to take advantage of gravity flow.
• The collection reservoir should have a cover to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• The container inlet should have a screen or filtering device that captures debris such as leaves.
• If you do not have gutters, use the valleys of your roofline to channel the water to a collection system.
How much rainfall could you collect? As a general rule, for every one inch of precipitation that falls on a one square-foot surface, you can capture six-tenths of a gallon of rainwater. Based on the annual precipitation levels in our region, from a 2,000 square-foot roof, you can expect to collect between 24,000 and 28,000 gallons of rainwater annually! How much water did you use last year to irrigate your landscape? Imagine the possibilities and the impact you could make in conserving and protecting one of our most valuable and limited natural resources — water. Every drop counts in West Central Texas, and rainwater harvesting is a solution!
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