Rain Water: "Just In Case…" Y2K Survival Tips

Here is another article I found that might be of interest to you. I found this article in a book called Water-Conserving Gardens and Landscapes written by John M. O’Keefe (Page 65). It does not completely apply to Y2K, but could incase there was no way to obtain water whether for drinking or for watering your yard. Maybe it will just spur your imagination a little:

Do Not Let Rain Get Away

"For thousands of years, people have collected rainwater and stored it in cisterns for use in dry seasons. Rain barrels that were outside homes were in common use during much of this century. With the rising cost and scarcity of fresh water, collecting rain is an idea whose time has come again.

One woman in an area where the average rainfall is only 16 inches yearly collected 5,000 gallons from a 400-square foot roof. She collected the rainwater in a 5,000-gallon pool that was 15 feet in diameter and 4 feet deep. This pool was connected to a drip irrigation system that operated by gravity feed from the pool.

Other ideas for reservoirs include vertical, plastic pipe tanks placed alongside the house and painted to blend in with the building (10 feet of 18-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe holds 132 gallons of water). The PVC pipe costs about $7 a foot, and the end caps cost about $30 each. An outlet in the bottom feeds water by gravity to the irrigation system. Used aboveground swimming pools also make good reservoirs. They can be bought very cheaply; often for nothing, if you take it down and cart it away.

Remember, your roof must be rust-free, noncorrosive, and not painted with a lead based paint. Insert some type of T-junction or other means of choosing whether rainwater from downspouts goes to storage or in the ground. This will allow you to let the first fall of rain wash the roof and eaves of dust and debris before diverting the rain to storage. A removal filter on the downspouts and at the outlet of the storage container will keep out leaves and other debris that can turn the stored rainwater ‘sour.’ It also will reduce the risk of blockage in your irrigation system.

Rainwater also can be used to leach out salts in small container plants. Submerge the plant in the pot in a bucket or barrel of rainwater for few minutes; repeat serveral times, allowing the water to drain away each time."

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     O’Keefe, John M. (1992). Water-Conserving Gardens and Landscapes. Pownal, Vermont: Storey Communications, Inc.

Fred J. Becker, Architect's E-mail

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