Tips on capturing rainwater
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 30, 2008 at 10:42 pmFrom the San Francisco Chronicle:
Until recently, many cities have required that homeowners connect their roof downspouts to their municipal storm water sewers to control flooding and to deliver rainwater - which is polluted with roof dirt and bird feces - to sewage treatment plants. But as cities have grown, their storm sewers, which are often combined with sanitary sewers, are becoming loaded to capacity and can flood during heavy rains, dumping sewage into streets and waterways.
Meanwhile, the threat of a long-term drought hangs over much of California, including the Bay Area.
These flood/drought conditions are leading to a reversal of previous policies, and many cities, including San Francisco, are now encouraging homeowners to disconnect their downspouts - and reconnect them to rain barrels or larger storage tanks that retain water for landscaping use. These “rain catchment” systems reduce sewer loads, conserve water and can provide emergency water if an earthquake disrupts the public water supply. (Stored rainwater is not safe to drink, but small quantities can be treated with water purification tablets during emergencies.)
Although rain barrels, if widely used, will help relieve sewer overloads and are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, they don’t store enough water to last for long in the Bay Area’s dry season. Storage tank systems, which can be installed either by homeowners or by professionals, can serve as a hedge against future water shortages and add value to your property.
Read more from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Comments
Leave a Reply