How To Set Up a Tiny Home Rainwater Collection System

How to Build Water Systems for Tiny Houses

Many people interested in downsizing to tiny houses have been turned away by certain aspects that may seem difficult, such as how to provide water and power to their new homes. Most tiny houses utilize a rainwater collection system to provide fresh water for daily uses in cooking, cleaning, and hygiene. However, many people don't understand how to build a rainwater collection system or realize how easy it can be to set up water systems for tiny houses.

Let's discuss what to consider and what are the essential parts of your collection and filtration setup and provide solutions so you can build an off-grid water system for your tiny house.

1. Understand Your Water Requirements

Although this may seem simple at first glance, it's a factor that will determine many aspects of your tiny house's rainwater collection system. The amount of water you require for daily use will dictate how large the collection and storage systems must be to supply you with fresh, accessible water.

An obvious factor would be the number of people utilizing the water. Each person requires their own amount of water for bathing, consumption, and cooking to meet their daily living needs. Other variables would include activities such as washing clothes, farming, gardening, cleaning, and maintenance. To build a proper, sustainable, tiny home water system, it is essential, first and foremost, to understand just how much water you consume.

2. Know Your Climate

Once you have determined your daily water needs, the next question to ask when creating water systems for tiny houses might seem obvious: How often does it rain?

Most people have a general idea of the rainy season for their region if they have lived there for their entire life. However, they may not understand exactly how much it rains at a given time or how much water they can collect if it does. 

If you live in hotter, dry climates, collecting enough rainwater to cover all your daily needs may not be possible. If it rains for two months and is dry for the rest of the year, you would need a larger, more long-term, tiny home rainwater collection system than you would where rainfall is consistent throughout the year.

Tank Sizing Analysis

Learn The Rainwater Collection Laws In Your State

While most states actively encourage their citizens to build a rainwater collection system, a few have restrictions on water systems for tiny houses. Rainwater collection systems are fully legal in most states, with a few offering tax incentives to help with costs and installation. In other states, they are legal with certain restrictions regarding capacity, use, and other factors. Learn more about your state before installing your tiny house rainwater collection system.

Parts of a Tiny Home Water System

Now that you know what to consider when creating a water system for your tiny house, we can move on to the parts of your rainwater collection system:

• Catchment Area - The surface where the rainwater first touches before being collected. For most tiny house rainwater collection systems, this will be your roof. Others may set up an umbrella-like system or a large tarp that directs water toward your storage area, typically through gutters or other funnels.
• Downspout -This connects the catchment area to your filtration and rainwater storage system. It may include pre-filtration before water enters your storage area or connect to a diverter that filters water for you.
• Pre-Filter - Takes care of large particulates and debris so they don't enter your storage tank. Usually, it consists of a vortex or in-line rainwater filter that removes sediment and leaves that may have fallen into your catchment and gone through your downspout.
• Collection Tank - This is where your rainwater is stored. Your rainwater collection area usually consists of rainwater storage tanks, rain barrels, or a cistern.
• Pressure Pump - Once you've got the water in your system, you need to be able to pump it back out again. The amount of water pressure and flow you have for your sink, shower, and other utilities are derived from the capacity of your pump, so make sure you get an adequate pressure pump if you like good water pressure in the shower.

If all of that sounds like a lot, no need to worry! Rainwater Management Solutions has a collection package designed specifically for tiny houses that will take care of the more complicated sections of your tiny house's water system. Our tiny house rainwater collection package includes the pre-filtration, pumping, and post-tank filtration elements needed to create water systems for tiny houses. Designed with space considerations in mind, our rainwater filtration system has a small footprint and minimal electrical demands, so you can always have the water you need.