6 Compelling Reasons to Start Harvesting Rainwater Today

Capturing and storing rainwater during wet seasons is a smart, forward-thinking strategy for drier times. Installing a rain barrel is easy and affordable, and your plants and soil will thank you. Here are six reasons to start saving rainwater now.

Sierra Encantada INC

1. Storage Is Surprisingly Simple

With gravity's help, a well-placed rain barrel collects roof runoff effortlessly. Buy a pre-made barrel with all components, or build your own. Connect a downspout directly or use a decorative rain chain to guide water from gutter to barrel.

When buying or building, ensure your barrel:

• Has a debris-filtering screen
• Is made of opaque material (light encourages bacteria and algae)
• Is clean or easily cleanable—choose food-grade barrels, avoid any that stored toxins
• Includes a spigot for easy access
• Has an overflow mechanism for when it's full

Tip: Check local laws first. Some states restrict rainwater harvesting; Colorado virtually bans it.

2. Free Water When You Need It Most

Seidel Design Group

When drought strikes, you'll have free irrigation water to carry plants through. Larger storage means longer irrigation capacity. Even native and drought-tolerant plants can perish during extended dry periods. Stored water keeps indefinitely if kept dark and algae-free, suitable for non-potable uses like irrigation. Underground cisterns excel at long-term storage—even years. Periodic cleaning is needed.

3. Easy on Your Wallet

J. S. Perry & Co., Inc.

Start-up costs are minimal. A standard 50-gallon plastic barrel runs ~$100 at hardware stores; many local governments subsidize them for nominal fees or free. Start small, work out kinks, then expand by chaining barrels or upgrading to larger tanks. It's a low-commitment entry point. You'll save on potable water costs by using stored water for irrigation.

4. Rainwater Is Better for Plants and Soil

The Lewes Building Company

Rainwater is cleaner and softer than most municipal water. City water contains trace salts and minerals that accumulate in soil, especially in low-rainfall areas. Avoid pollutants from car exhaust and roofing materials with a "first flush" diverter that redirects the initial, dirtiest roof runoff.

5. Significant Environmental Benefits

Gardens by Gabriel, Inc.

Rainwater storage intercepts stormwater runoff at the source. Stored water used for irrigation percolates through soil—nature's filter—instead of running as dirty water into local systems, which degrades water quality and causes downstream flooding and erosion. It also reduces stress on aging infrastructure. One barrel seems small, but replicated across neighborhoods, the collective impact on local environments and water quality is substantial.

6. They Can Look Great (or Disappear Completely)

Minglewood Designs

Many basic barrels, like the rustic one shown, enhance a garden's aesthetic while saving water. Basic plastic barrels hide easily behind vine-planted screens.

Tell us: Are you adding a rain barrel or upgrading your system? Share photos in the Comments.