Most of us rely solely on the water flowing from our indoor and outdoor taps. We use hoses attached to our outdoor faucets to water the gardens and fill watering cans for those hard-to-reach areas.

But do we need to rely solely on our town and city supplies? In most cases, no. Rainwater harvesting is quickly becoming popular for homeowners seeking alternative water supplies for their homes and gardens. You can learn more about rainwater harvesting and its benefits below.

What Are the Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting in NZ?

You’ll need to dedicate a little time and money to establishing your new rainwater harvesting system. With that in mind, you might wonder why you should do it. Here are some of the many benefits associated with rainwater harvesting in NZ.

Improve Your Property’s Drought Resilience

None of us are exempt from drought conditions. Except, well, maybe those living on the West Coast. Local councils start imposing restrictions when regions across Aotearoa New Zealand don’t get enough rain. These restrictions typically apply to gardens and lawns first. Eventually, we’re also encouraged to take shorter showers, avoid water blasting, and not clean our vehicles.

Creating your own rainwater harvesting system can prove helpful for improving your property’s drought resilience while ensuring water supply restrictions aren’t as harmful. As you have your own pre-harvested water in tanks installed on your property, you can continue watering your gardens as if water restrictions weren’t in place.

Of course, it still does pay to reserve water as much as possible. After all, there’s no telling when your tanks will receive more rainfall.  

Enjoy Smaller Water Bills

Many households in New Zealand are charged for the water they use. Some people have fixed annual charges, while others are charged a fee per cubic metre of water they use. These fees can be costly, especially if you have a large household.

While you will need upfront funds for a rainwater harvesting system, you might notice reduced fees if your property has a water meter. The more of your own water you use, the less of your council’s you’ll need to pay for.

Self-Sufficiency

Whether you live in the middle of a town or a rural location in the middle of nowhere, you’ve likely considered how blissful it would be to be self-sufficient. Fortunately, companies are making that easier by offering solar panels and batteries for off-the-grid survival.

Rainwater harvesting is yet another way we can live more self-sufficient lives. You no longer have to live in an on-the-grid home to access water. Instead, you can purchase a rainwater harvesting system in a remote location and enjoy the same benefits.

Convenience

Not all gardens are within convenient reach of outdoor taps. This can be frustrating when you want to ensure healthy plant growth. Instead of connecting multiple hoses, you can invest in a rainwater harvesting system with a pump. The addition of the pump lets you move water from your tank to your garden hose effortlessly.

How to Know What Tank Size to Buy

Knowing you might enjoy a range of benefits associated with rainwater harvesting, you might be eager to get stuck in. But how do you know which tank size to purchase for your property?

There are a few factors you need to consider before buying a new tank:

• Annual rainfall volumes in your area

• How you use the water

• Whether you have mains water supply access

• The collection area size

• Your property size

• Your reliance on the water supply 

The larger the tank, the more water you can collect. Most everyday garden retailers in NZ offer 250L, 300L, and 1,000L tanks to suit a range of gardeners. If you’re using a rainwater harvesting system for your home, you’ll need a 30,000L tank.

What Will You Need to Buy?

A rainwater harvesting system requires more than just a tank. You’ll also need a few other accessories to take full advantage of it:

• A first flush diverter – this fits onto your downpipe or tank outlet to stop contaminated water from the roof from entering your tank when it first rains

• A tank cover – this prevents evaporation and some contamination

• A tank inlet pipe screen – this keeps out insects, birds, and animals

• Gutter screens – these stop debris from getting into your spouting

• A submersible pump – this helps water move from your tank and through your garden hose 

While most people establish rainwater harvesting setups for their gardens, others wish to use rainwater for their homes. If you need your water to be safe for drinking, you’ll also need:

• Chlorine

• A fine in-line purifier or filter

• UV light treatment

• To boil your water for one minute 

Set Up Your Rainwater Harvesting System Today

Whether you want to be more self-sufficient, save money, or prevent drought-related problems, a rainwater harvesting system might be right for you. After learning these desirable benefits, you might be eager to visit your local garden store to get everything you need!