Catch the rain

Rainwater harvesting is an easy way to reuse water that would otherwise disappear down stormwater drains. Collected natural precipitation provides a renewable supply of natural, soft, clear water, without harming the environment. In fact, harvesting rainwater can assist in preventing flooding in highly built-up urban areas, and can reduce the run-off of pollutants and pesticides into rivers and streams.

There are a variety of simple ways to collect, direct and harvest rainwater:

Rain tanks

Harvest rainwater from a roof, and collect and store it with rain tanks from where it can be distributed. Stored water may be used for watering gardens, agriculture, flushing toilets, in washing machines, washing cars, and also for drinking, especially when other water supplies are unavailable, expensive or of poor quality, and when proper care is taken that the water is not contaminated and is adequately filtered.

Underground rainwater tanks can also be used for the retention of stormwater for release at a later time and offer a variety of benefits. In arid climates, rain barrels are often used to store water during the rainy season for use during drier periods.

Permeable paving

The increase in impermeable surfaces in urban areas has caused an increase in flooding and pollutant run-off. Stormwater flowing across streets, sidewalks and gardens picks up contaminants such as litter, spilled oil, detergents, solvents, dead leaves, pesticides, fertiliser and bacteria. Natural filtration of water through soil is the simplest way to control these pollutants, and is a direct advantage of permeable paving or other man-made soakaways.

Gutter systems

Gutters can be used to direct rainwater to storage containers, rain tanks or specific areas in your garden. Sometimes, the force of rainwater directly on to pot plants, ponds, or garden beds from gutters can be too strong and needs to be softened. Place pebbles or gravel to break the force. Selected mulches around these areas can act like sponges that absorb water and then release it slowly into the soil.

Channelling

Direct stormwater to specific parts of a garden using channels, culverts or troughs. Create ‘dry riverbeds’ using a lined channel covered with a variety of pebbles, rocks and stones in various colours and designs. Detect where the water comes from: from – roofs, hard surfaces and streets – and decide how it should be directed.

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