Primitive human beings settled near water and used pitchers to carry it into homes. However, where precipitation is scarce or where people live some distance from rivers rain water harvesting has been practiced for thousands of years. In India there are people who have specialized in methods and techniques, passing them down through the generations.

Urbanization is a phenomenon of the modern world. People living in very big numbers have not been expected to provide for their own needs. Instead they pay rates and taxes and some of these are used by authorities to provide reticulation services. Most people in cities have not, in the past, given much time to reflecting about where tap liquids come from.

Climate change and global warming are having significant effects upon human attitudes. Where it was until recently taken for granted H2O is now being regarded as a vulnerable natural resource that is under serious threat. It is projected that temperatures will rise significantly by the year 20550. This will increase evaporation and decrease inflows into systems. Usage will increase too, and even on TV news programs attention is now being given to the specter of serious shortages, world wide.

Recent research has shown that solar energy collected directly from the sun by home owners is more economical than huge national electricity grids. Similarly, rainfall harvested directly as it falls is more economical than first feeding it into state reticulation systems and then recycling it into city homes.

In at least one American state there are laws that forbid people to collect precipitation that falls from the skies onto the roofs of their houses. The argument is that what falls from the skies actually belongs to the state and not to individuals. Legislation has prevented people from gathering the precipitation that falls onto the roofs of their houses. In the light of recent research such legislation is changing. Now, people who have special permission to use wells may also collect rainfall and use it for gardening.

In the face of research from the wider world such arguments have lost their credibility and individuals are now allowed to collect rain that falls on their roofs. Online sites enable Colorado residents to purchase equipment that has been specifically designed for the implementation of recent legislation that permits the exercise of individual rights to precipitation.

Rain barrels are now available in Colorado as they are in other parts of the world. Strategically placed they can collect precipitation and feed it into gardens. Ironically it is probably more healthy for plants and aquatic animals than the treated equivalent fed to human beings. Larger irrigation systems that include underground storage and filtration equipment may also be obtained.

Gravitation always plays its part where water is concerned. There is something about gravitational water flow that fascinates endlessly, perhaps because the natural flow of rivers is embedded deeply within human experience. Modern technology can be used with rain water harvesting to create water gardens that emulate natural water flows by automatically maintaining water level in containers that release water to flow gravitationally. Such features and gardens play their specific roles in contributing to sustainable development, not least by fostering appreciation of this precious natural resource.

In some parts of the world precipitation is sparse. It may occur in the form of mist or drizzle. In Oman, for example, the mountains in the southern parts of the country receive days of heavy mist. Some of this is collected from the leaves of trees and bushes as droplets fall onto plastic sheets. It is fed into containers and then pumped into homes. This seems to be be a satisfying way of harvesting rain water since technology and natural features are neatly synchronized.

True Pump can supply the complete line of Aquascape’s Rain Water Harvesting products including rain barrels and the RainXchange system. Email or call us now for a custom designed system to fit your specific requirements.