A rainwater cistern is what used to be used back then in those days when there were no modern technology and pipes didn\’t even exist. Back then, when there were no main pipes to bring water into the house, people relied on natural sources for water. These sources consisted of rainwater, wells as well as streams and rivers. Out of all these sources, rainwater remains easily available for harvesting anywhere in the world. However, before you start putting out buckets and waiting for rain to fill them up, there are some things that you will need to consider. Basically, a rainwater cistern does exactly what its name says; it collects rainwater in the cistern to be used for birdbaths, watering plants, drinking, and other daily usages. In a rainy climate, installing a rainwater cistern might provide you with independence from your normal tap water supply that flow from the treatment plants.
- Purchase a cistern
To be able to collect rainwater, you will first need a container for it to fall into. You can purchase ready made cisterns from local hardware stores. Today, you can have your cistern made out of wood, clay, or even metal to suit your home and the climate you live in.
- Install the cistern
If you have purchased a ready made cistern, chances are that the people at the hardware store would be willing to help you install it, especially if it is too big for you to carry by yourself. Just make sure that you have the plan of your house figured out before you call them in as you would want to optimize the amount of rainwater you can catch, as well as ensure that it is not in a place that gets heated up easily.
- Empty collected rainwater
If your cistern does not come with a connected pipe, you will have to empty it out manually. Alternatively, you can also have your cistern connected to the water pipes in your home as your primary supply of water.
To have a rainwater cistern really works for the environment and look on the bright side, water won\’t go to waste easily or for nothing.
Additional Reading:
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-collect-water-using-a-rainwater-cistern
Image Credit:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fabliaux/404828004/
