Is rainwater harvesting a good idea? (Sierra Vista, Prescott: house, landscaping, buy)

[autism360]

I think this is a good idea,


Officials seek water solution from above: Rainwater harvesting viability explored - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona

Officials seek water solution from above: Rainwater harvesting viability explored


Yavapai County officials are studying the benefits of rainwater harvesting equipment in new construction.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors and its planning commission discussed the idea at length Wednesday during one of their two annual joint meetings.

"In some cases, we have to lead by example," Supervisor Craig Brown said.

"We need to look at this," agreed Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Tom Reilly, a local architect. He noted it would conserve groundwater. The Prescott region has been depleting its groundwater supplies for more than a decade.[/SIZE]

[inderocker]

I'm not saying it should be mandatory, but having an underground cistern collecting rain water from your roof just make sense out here. I haven't looked into city code yet, but I'd like to install one at my house when we switch to a metal roof.

[BriansPerspective]

I think it's a great idea for landscaping water. I'm not sure I would want to drink it! On average, the Prescott area peeps use very little water per capita as compared to many other cities.

[inderocker]

Originally Posted by BriansPerspective

I think it's a great idea for landscaping water. I'm not sure I would want to drink it! On average, the Prescott area peeps use very little water per capita as compared to many other cities.

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you want to drink it?

[BriansPerspective]

Originally Posted by inderocker

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you want to drink it?

For the same reason I wouldn't drink water running in a gutter or in a stream. It's dirty and probably contains bacteria, mold, and whatever else it happened to run through. I would drink it if I filtered it or chlorinated it.

[crazyme4878]

My friends in Sierra Vista had a rainwater collection system. It accounted for half of the year's water consumption (it is purified before it goes to the tap. They said they could have collected more if they had a bigger tank.

[BriansPerspective]

Yikes! I just look at rainwater harvesting systems for grins, and a basic system costs $6,200! I don't even know if that includes installation - probably not. Given that our water bill is about $20/month, it would take 26 years to break even! That's not even considering the time-value of money. That also assumes that the system will never break or require a new motor or require a filter replacement in 26 years. Oh yeah, don't forget the rainwater harvesting yard sign - that only costs $12.95

It's a lot cheaper if you don't plan to drink the water. Then you can just buy a plastic tank, and use gravity to water your yard.

[inderocker]

Originally Posted by BriansPerspective

For the same reason I wouldn't drink water running in a gutter or in a stream. It's dirty and probably contains bacteria, mold, and whatever else it happened to run through. I would drink it if I filtered it or chlorinated it.

Ohh, well I think it goes without saying that you'd want to treat it (just as the city does their water) before consuming it.

[inderocker]

Originally Posted by BriansPerspective

Yikes! I just look at rainwater harvesting systems for grins, and a basic system costs $6,200! I don't even know if that includes installation - probably not. Given that our water bill is about $20/month, it would take 26 years to break even! That's not even considering the time-value of money. That also assumes that the system will never break or require a new motor or require a filter replacement in 26 years. Oh yeah, don't forget the rainwater harvesting yard sign - that only costs $12.95

It's a lot cheaper if you don't plan to drink the water. Then you can just buy a plastic tank, and use gravity to water your yard.

I think a rainwater collection system leans more towards personally responsibility (and basic survival for some areas) than it does fiscal responsibility.

[crazyme4878]

Originally Posted by BriansPerspective

Yikes! I just look at rainwater harvesting systems for grins, and a basic system costs $6,200! I don't even know if that includes installation - probably not. Given that our water bill is about $20/month, it would take 26 years to break even! That's not even considering the time-value of money. That also assumes that the system will never break or require a new motor or require a filter replacement in 26 years. Oh yeah, don't forget the rainwater harvesting yard sign - that only costs $12.95

It's a lot cheaper if you don't plan to drink the water. Then you can just buy a plastic tank, and use gravity to water your yard.

My above mentioned friends put it in while they were building, so perhaps it's easier to justify it then (and maybe a little cheaper? Though I doubt it).