Make it RAIN!

JBaylo agrees with an article in the Austin American Statesman, written by David Barer on the new rainwater collection systems that homeowners are now installing around their properties, in order to conserve water. For some people “with no municipal or well-water supply…rainwater is more than just a way to collect extra water…it’s a way of life,” homeowner Billy Kniffen explains. Mr. Kniffen, vice president of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association managed to live off only rainwater they collected which was about 5.5 inches per year.

Over the past years, Texas and many other states dealing with serious droughts are looking towards ways to conserve water, and it looks like with rain water can be that substitute. Not only can you live off rain water, but The City of Austin offers rebates of 50 cents for every gallon of non-pressurized storage and $1 for every gallon of a pressurized system up to $5,000! Being that there is no sales tax on water collection equipment the homeowners associations does not have the authority to ban installations of systems stated by David Barer. With people becoming more engaged in “rainwater harvesting” gain a greater appreciation for a natural resource and understand its true value.

With the size of rainwater collections growing, the Texas Water Development Board has created the outlay for systems that can range from 55-gallon barrel to full-roof systems. The water board runs and oversees states water plans, funds water projects, and collects water data for the public. The state water plan has identified water conservation as one of Texas more important water management strategies for the next 50 years. “Rainwater harvesting is a part of Texas fabric,” Arroyo said.

 In the years to come rainwater conservation is predicted to be 25 percent of Texas water supply, this will likely increase awareness and eventually added into home designs lowering the overall cost. JBaylo is correct in saying that the advertisement is not well enough to the public but as droughts become more frequent, people will be looking for other ways to receive water and this can be the key. If these methods were advertised on rebates and tax breaks more people would invest not only for the benefits, but for the value its worth in the long with natural resource that can eventually run out at any given time.