There’s more emphasis on water conservation than ever before. This can largely be attributed to the fact that Australia is considered a water-scarce country. A hot and dry climate is partly to blame for this. One of the top ways that locals are combating this is by installing rainwater harvesting systems on their residential and commercial properties.
While this may sound like a complex procedure to the average person, you’ll be delighted to learn that your water-saving system can easily be installed by the plumber Belconnen residents rely on. What is rainwater harvesting, and how will it benefit your property? Keep reading as we answer this question.
Understanding the Water Harvesting Concept
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In short, the water harvesting process refers to the process of collecting rainwater in tanks on your property. During this process, water tanks are placed in strategic places under your roof.
Gutter pipes are attached from the roof to the water tanks, and the rainwater that falls onto the roof flows into the gutters and into the water tanks. A tap is installed at the bottom of the tank, which can be opened to let the water out as it’s needed.
Beneficial on Many Levels
On average, 1 in 4 Australian homes already boasts some type of rainwater harvesting system. Here’s a breakdown of the benefits you can look forward to by choosing to add a few harvesting tanks to your property.
1. Excellent Way to Make Your Home More Self-Sufficient
The number one way to make your property more sustainable is to add a rainwater harvesting system. Harvesting rainwater allows you the freedom to use water as you need it. A huge plus here is that the system is relatively simple to install and super easy to operate.
Using this system to reduce your carbon footprint is not only easy but effective too. By using rainwater for outdoor functions such as gardening, you are also reducing your overall dependence on your council’s main water line. This goes a long way towards making your home more self-sufficient.
2. Saves You Money on Your Water Bill
If you’re looking for an effective way to save money on your water bill, then a harvesting system is definitely for you. Here you have two options. The first is to use the harvested rainwater for outdoor functions such as watering crops or washing vehicles. In this scenario, you will still use municipal water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
The second scenario sees you adding specialised filtering systems to the harvesting tanks. This will enable you to use the harvested water for indoor purposes. No matter which option you choose, you will see a significant reduction in your monthly water bill. The savings reflected on your water bill will easily counter the initial costs of installation.
3. Gives Your Home Access to Soft Water
It’s no secret that water in some parts of Australia contains an extensive range of chemicals to make it drinkable. Fluoride, calcium, and chlorine are only a few of the typical chemicals used to purify water.
These chemicals can also create hard water. Typically, hard water can cause long-term damage to your plumbing pipes and even appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines. This is because the chemicals build up on the inside of these appliances. Hard water also has negative effects on plant growth. Since rainwater has a neutral pH, opting to give your plants softer rainwater will ensure that you have healthier yields.
4. No Need to Use Groundwater
You may think that opting to use groundwater (or borehole water) is an effective way to avoid having to use council water. However, the reality is that the need for extensive quantities of water places tremendous pressure on local environments.
It’s essential to point out that groundwater isn’t always available in the quantities required by homes that not only have large crop gardens but also deal with water scarcity. Choosing to use rainwater rather than groundwater is essential in keeping water supplies available and safe to use by future generations.
5. Minimises the General Effects of Soil Erosion
When you use municipal water, you do not need rainwater. This means there’s more of it falling on your gardens and crop fields. Ultimately, this increases stormwater runoff, which in turn causes higher soil erosion and localized flooding. Whether you’re growing veggies or native plants, your garden will definitely benefit.
6. Highly Customisable
You’ll be keen to learn that rainwater harvesting systems can be customised to suit your home’s specific needs. Your plumber will be able to create your harvesting system as big or small as you need it. Keep in mind that your system can be upgraded at any time.
Final Thoughts
Installing a rainwater harvesting system on your property has many advantages that highlight why it’s such a good idea. Not only are you reducing your home’s dependence on local council supplies, but you’re making your home more self-sufficient.
By conserving water in this way, you’ll also be able to backup water supplies for the dry months in your area. Since the system is quick to install, you’ll be left wishing you had asked your plumber to do it sooner!
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