We have gone 43 days without measurable rain in College Station. As the temperature continues to increase past historical highs in the Brazos Valley, I begin to think more of water saving techniques and ways to stretch my water budget. Over the years I have planted more Texas and Mexican native plants, which are better suited to my central Texas rainfall and temperature patterns. Even though these plants are more appropriate for my area they still require supplemental watering during the dry spells.
One way to reduce water bills is to capture rainfall runoff during storms. Runoff is defined as the water that does not infiltrate in the soil during a rain event. Although rural areas do experience some runoff due to antecedent soil moisture conditions (how much water the soil is already holding) and soil texture properties (water infiltrates through clay much more slowly than sand), urban watersheds generate much more runoff due to the increase in imperious surfaces such as roads, pavement, and buildings.
It is amazing how large a volume of water is generated from a relatively small runoff area. A 100 square foot roof area experiencing 1 inch of rain generates approximately 62 gallons of runoff. A modest size home with a roof area of 1500 square feet will generate 935 gallons! Urbanized runoff increases both soil erosion and the velocity of the water within our creeks and rivers. Capturing the water and slowly releasing it back to the system through landscape irrigation reduces these problems, but does not capture a large enough volume to reduce drinking water supplies.
In 2007 as a birthday present my husband installed a re-purposed oak whiskey barrel to capture runoff from a section of our roof. This barrel is used mostly for my potted plants on the patio.
Whiskey Oak Rain Barrel
Another view - Whiskey Oak Rain Barrel
Close up of hardware - Rain barrel elevated slightly (I have now elevated the barrel on cinder blocks)
View of Rain Water Diverter on Downspout
This following fall we plan on modifying two large oak wine barrels (purchased for $60/piece at our local Messina Hof vineyard for use as drip irrigation for a new vegetable garden.
Although most uses of rainwater harvesting in my area are small scale (less than 300 gallons) I am increasingly seeing commercial and large scale home uses. My husband and I plan to build our next house with a roof-wide capturing system, and use the water for toilet flushing and larger scale irrigation.
Rainwater Harvesting at College Station Utilities Building (8500 gallons). J. Nations pictures.
On a side note – I’m glad in Texas we are allowed to capture our rainfall. Rainwater harvesting in Colorado is currently illegal, but the laws there may soon be undergoing some changes.
Some helpful links:
- Rainwater Harvesting – Texas A&M AgriLIFE Extension Service
- The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting
- YouTube Video of Paul James and Building a Rain Barrel
- DIY Network Rain Barrel Instructions
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