There are many benefits to rainwater harvesting; some are more obvious than others. When coupled with other water saving techniques it can dramatically reduce the size of water bills.  It can also help garner credits for projects seeking LEED certification.  As well as conserving resources reducing water usage can help stave off the need for costly infrastructure upgrades keeping costs down for everyone.  But there are equally important benefits that aren’t as apparent.

In areas that use a combined storm and sewer system rainwater harvesting has less obvious benefits. During storms water treatment plants can become overtaxed and have no choice but to drain water that has not been fully treated.  Rainwater harvesting systems can reduce the volume of water needing treatment and may help keep untreated runoff out of the environment.

Each project has its own specific circumstances that must be considered. The owner’s needs and wants, the suitability of the site and a jurisdiction’s particular regulations must all be considered.  But from rain barrels to self-sustaining buildings and everything in between, there is a rainwater harvesting system to meet the needs of nearly any project desiring it and the benefits can be more far reaching than just saving water.