Frequently Asked Questions
How much water can harvesting save?
Indoors
Indoor water use varies primarily as a function of the number of occupants
in a household. Typical water use ranges from 55 to 75 gallons per person
per day. For a family of 4, this works out to a range of approximately
200-300 gallons per day, or 1,400 to 2,000 gallons per week.
Outdoors
Outdoor water use varies widely, primarily based on usage
type or irrigation watering patterns. See below for information
on potential uses for collected rainwater.
The chart below provides examples of typical outdoor water use for irrigation watering for varying landscape areas.
| Irrigated Area, Square Feet |
Recommended Weekly Water Usage |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | 1,200 gallons |
| 4,000 sq. ft. | 2,500 gallons |
| 8,000 sq. ft. | 5,000 gallons |
| 12,000 sq. ft. | 7,400 gallons |
| 15,000 sq. ft. | 9,300 gallons |
| Half-acre (21,780 sq. ft.) | 13,500 gallons |
| 8,000 sq. ft. Acre (43,560 sq. ft.) | 27,000 gallons |
What can I use collected rainwater for?
Without chemical treatment, collected rainwater is typically suitable for all non-potable (non-human-contact) uses including:
- Outdoor lawn and garden watering/irrigation
- Vehicle and power washing
- Fire fighting
- Air conditioner make-up water
- General non-potable outdoor usage
- Cold water toilet flushing and clothes washing, subject to local ordinances
Can I use collected water for drinking, cooking or other domestic needs?
Without chemical treatment or special filtration, harvested rainwater typically does not meet State and Federal drinking water standards and as such is not suitable for human contact applications. Subject to regulatory stipulations, however, harvested rainwater may be suitable for treatment to allow for potable usage. Contact your local Department of Health, or Rainwater Recovery Inc. for further information.
How do I know what size system I might want?
Storage requirements depend on usage type and requirements. For irrigation applications, system size is determined based on area of intended irrigation and the desired interval between natural precipitation events the systems is designed to span.
Do I need to decommission the system in the winter?
Similar to garden and lawn watering equipment and irrigation systems in cold weather regions, certain components of the system require winterization to protect against damage from freezing.
In general, the pump is removed and related plumbing disconnected, and the stored water level in the tank is lowered to a partial-full state based customer-requested design criteria.
What sort of maintenance is required for these systems?
Periodic cleaning of the filtering device and material is required at intervals that vary as a function of the type and size of the system, the proximity to trees and leaves to collected roof areas and the type and effectiveness of downspout screening materials. Inspection and maintenance as required should be performed at least twice annually.
In addition, periodic removal of sediments from the primary collection tank may be required after 2 or more years of operation.
Pumps installed for these systems typically require no maintenance.
Are building or other permits required for installation of a system?
Most municipalities do not require building permits for harvesting systems; however, for Integrated systems with internal plumbing interfaces, a plumbing permit is generally required.
In addition, state administration of the Federal Clean Water Act requires that a permit be obtained to operate the drywell portion of the system.
