Gone are the days when we could expect to apply endless amounts of municipal water to our West Texas lawns without forfeiting a little capital. Some estimates place outdoor irrigation as high as 60 percent of total home water use with at least half of that being wasted by poorly timed or inefficient systems.
In the future you can anticipate hearing more about novel methods of providing water for your home, and particularly your landscape.
“One innovative method to supply supplemental water to your garden or landscape is to catch and store rainwater.”
One innovative method to supply supplemental water to your garden or landscape is to catch and store rainwater.
This trick, called rainwater harvesting, can be simple or complex but all systems share some basic components.
For the simplest system you’ll need a surface to catch the rainwater. The obvious choice for a catchment surface is the roof of your home.
A gutter system is essential for conveying the rain from the roof to a storage container. Finally, a reservoir with a hose attached to a spigot at the base is a handy means of delivering the stored water to the location you intend to use it. More complex systems may incorporate a timer with a pump connected to an irrigation system.
Another consideration is perhaps a treatment method to supply water for in-home use.
Read the full article here.
By Jeff Floyd
