Setting up a rainwater management system for your residence ensures you will always have a source of high quality freshwater. While many people use rainwater for non-potable purposes like irrigation and water features for their home, the proper catchment and treatment modalities also make rainwater available for potable uses like showering and cooking.Check out the full list below to see the most common residential applications for rainwater reuse.

• Toilet Flushing
• Heating/Cooling
• Irrigation/Gardening
• Fire Suppression
• Vehicle Washes
• Laundry
• Pool Fills/Water Features

Showers/baths

Cooking

Drinking

Considerations

In general there are two types of rainwater harvesting systems:active and passive. Active systems (using cisterns) are larger volume and typically capture 1,000 – 100,000 gallons to be used for indoor use. Passive systems utilize rain barrels generally capture 50-100 gallons of rainwater that can be used for outdoor, non-potable uses. Both of these systems are a beneficial addition to any residence and can help offset municipal water bills.

It’s important to keep in mind that there are varying state codes, regulations, and benefits offered for rainwater collection. To find out more information on specific state’s codes and regulations, you can usethis map tool created by the Federal Energy Management Program. TheWorld Water Reserve has also provided a summarized list of each state’s laws and regulations.

To find out more information on how rainwater harvesting could benefit your residence, please give us a call at (866) 653-8337. If you are a Virginia resident, we can offer both consultation and installation of residential systems. Consulting and residential packages (without installation) are also available for out-of-state residents.