Reusing rainwater requires you to collect it first.
Rainwater is abundant at times, sometimes more than you might like. While rainwater is not suitable for use as drinking water, you can harness it for other purposes. Collecting your rainwater from your roof, patio, or other flat runoff areas can prove beneficial for your garden, lawn, and water bill. Depending on the system you use, you may also be able to wash patio furniture, your car, or other big outdoor items with your collected rainwater. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Build or purchase a rain barrel to attach to your downspout. Depending on the design, you may be required to cut a small amount off the end of your downspout in order to get it to fit inside the opening in the rain barrel. Choose a design that has a spigot toward the bottom of the barrel, so that gravity helps feed any hose you attach; pump designs that allow you to pump water out through a hose are good alternative options.
2. Check how much water you have collected after your area's next storm. Depending on how heavy and often your local rainstorms are, you may need to wait for a few storms to pass before you have enough water.
3. Securely attach a hose and sprayer to your rain barrel. Screw the hose onto the spigot carefully so that you do not cross-thread and damage it.
4. Spray your garden, lawn, or other landscape that requires watering with your collected rain water. Alternately, spray your car, boat, patio furniture, or other large object in need of washing with your collected raiwater as needed.
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