Water Harvesting
Here in AZ we may have a dry heat, but there is still the sense of being baked alive when out in the sun too long! This time of year is our monsoons when there are cloudy afternoons, early evening rains, and breathtaking sunsets. Our humidity rises and the sensation of being baked is replaced with the sensation of being steamed alive!
In the desert we crave water and much of it is lost in runoff during the monsoons. There is ample water to be harvested to be used for plants, trees, grass, and even washing cars.
It’s nice if you can afford a ready made rain barrel that attaches to your gutter with a faucet attached. If you cannot afford one of those, there are these are alternatives:
- 5 gallon buckets with lids-leave open when it rains
- Trash can with lid (one on wheels makes it easy to move)-cut a hole in the top so the gutter drain will fit into it. If you are handy, drill a hole near the bottom and put a faucet on. Be sure to test for leaks
- Have water run off into gardens, trees, and grass. Create wells around trees, build up the sides of gardens and grassy areas so the water will stay near the plants
- Dig shallow “canals” from the gutter drain to plants. Connect gardens and trees so they can share water.
There are hundreds of gallons of free water just off and average roof, don’t waste it.