Our Rain Tanks Series posts are a collection of articles focused entirely on the practice of rainwater harvesting. In this series, we provide a detailed overview on many topics, important points, uses and applications, approaches, how-to’s, and recommendations. Rainwater harvesting practice, setups, equipment and much more will be covered in exclusive detail.
Topics range from a full overview of the practice in Rainwater Harvesting 101, to definitions of common rain tank parts, from recommended components for a successful rainwater harvesting system, to details on rainwater quality and recommended treatment options for reaching potable drinking water quality, to using rainwater for livestock, and more. The list of available articles can be found below.
List Collection of Rainwater Harvesting Articles
The following is a list summary of available rainwater harvesting articles with introductory information on what the post covers.
R1. Rainwater Harvesting 101
Rainwater Harvesting 101 provides an in-depth and detailed overview of the rainwater harvesting practice, definitions of rainwater harvesting terms, and regularly used equipment. A great resource for newcomers as well as those looking to improve their practice or simply wanting to learn more.
R2. Tank Definitions
The Rain Tank Series: Tank Definitions looks at and defines the five (5) main parts of the rainwater tank itself with a focus primarily on above ground, polyethylene rainwater collection containers and their role in a rainwater harvesting system.
R3. Components of a Successful Rainwater Harvesting System
Components of a Successful Rainwater Harvesting System outlines the required parts, recommended accessories and equipment that will provide cleaner water, reduce maintenance, and help create an overall more effective and efficient rain harvesting system.
R4. Why Should I Not Drink Rainwater (Before Treating It)?
The post Why Should I Not Drink Rainwater (Before Treating It) covers the path rainwater takes from the clouds in the sky to the collection container of a rainwater harvesting system and the common contaminants that can be found in rainwater, their sources, and what to do about them.
R5. Do and Don’ts of Rainwater Harvesting
In this Rain Tanks Series post, we outline common recommendations on what to do and what not to do when practicing rainwater harvesting.
R6. Using a Rainwater Harvesting System for Livestock
The Rain Tanks Series article: Using a Rainwater Harvesting System for Livestock provides a descriptive look into how rainwater can be used to provide water for various uses in livestock operations, considerations for planning a rainwater system, how to calculate harvest volumes, why to implement rainwater harvesting and more.
R7. How to Ensure Consistent, Optimal Rainwater Quality
This post covers the setup, installation, accessories, and methods recommended to ensure consistent, optimal rainwater quality from a rainwater harvesting system.
R8. Above Ground vs Underground Rainwater Tanks
The Above Ground vs Underground Rainwater Tanks post compares and contrasts the pros and cons and common options available for both above ground rain tanks and underground rain tanks as well as common scenarios of when to use one versus the other.
R9. How to Protect a Rainwater Tank from Freezing
How to Protect a Rainwater Tank from Freezing is a detailed how-to guide on the options and methods available to keep water from freezing in an outdoor storage tank.
R9. How to Turn Rainwater into Drinking Water
This Rain Tanks Series post provides an expansive look into how to turn rainwater into drinking water with details on methods, equipment, as well as specific recommendations and pros and cons for the individual options.
R10. How to Install a Rainwater Tank
In this Rain Tanks Series post, we provide a detailed overview of the different recommended foundation types and how to prepare them for the different rain tanks and containers often used in rainwater harvesting.
R11. How to Clean a Rainwater Harvesting Tank
In this Rain Tanks Series post, we will show how to clean a rainwater harvesting tank in a fairly straightforward process that can be accomplished in five (5) steps.
R12. How Much Rainwater Can I Collect with Rainwater Harvesting
The amount of rainwater that can be collected through rainwater harvesting is primarily only limited by the size of the rain catching surface and the amount of rainfall. This Rain Tanks Series will look at how a good setup and rain tank can be used to provide significant volumes of water through rainwater harvesting.
R13. Rainwater Harvesting for Potable Water
This Rain Tanks Series post provides an overview of everything needed, steps, and recommendations to set up a potable rainwater harvesting system. After reading and reviewing this post, you should know why, how, and what all goes into harvesting the rain for pure, drinkable water.
R14. A Revisit to the Water-Energy Nexus
A Revisit to the Water-Energy Nexus returns to the idea behind a 2017 post, The Water Energy Nexus, with an in-depth dive into the connection between the water supply and energy production that sustains modern society, climate change, population, and how rainwater harvesting can help with the growing concerns.
R15. Plastic vs Steel Rainwater Tanks
When shopping for and choosing a rainwater collection tank, there are several container styles available but only two main options for the material the container is made from: plastic or steel. This post will compare and contrast plastic and steel rainwater tanks, buying options, advantages, and disadvantages.
R16. How to Capture Rainwater on Your Roof
In this Rain Tanks Series post, we will look into how to capture rainwater on your roof, what is needed, recommended, and some common, important points.
R17. How to Design a Rainwater Harvesting System
The steps to designing a rainwater harvesting system will depend on a few key points unique to the practice of harvesting rainwater. In general, rain collection systems follow a similar and fairly basic blueprint that makes all systems alike. For a rainwater harvesting system, the basic blueprint has four parts: (1) a catchment area, (2) a channeling system, (3) a collection container, and (4) accessories.
R18. First Flush Diverter Explained
In rainwater harvesting practice, a first flush diverter device is a companion accessory and add-on component used to promote a cleaner rainwater harvest. First flush devices are simple by design and are made to collect and discard a select amount of the first rainfall as waste.
R19. Rainwater Harvesting System Components
The complete range of individual components needed can vary based on the specifics of the RWH system and its location. Successful RWH systems will include a rain tank, additional components, equipment and various rain harvesting accessories.
R20. Top 5 States for Rainwater Harvesting with Government Supported Incentives
The 5 U.S. states with the best government supported incentives for rainwater harvesting include Texas, California, Arizona, Iowa, and Illinois. Rainwater harvesting incentives, rebates, and credits are most frequently offered by the jurisdiction of local cities.