Rainwater harvesting is fast becoming a key component of “green”, sustainable landscape strategy. If you are keen on reducing your home’s ecological footprint (i.e., your impact on the natural environment), consider installing a rainwater harvesting system on your property.

Rainwater harvesting refers to the process of capturing and storing storm runoff – i.e., rainwater that drains off rooftops and pavements - for domestic landscape and other non-potable uses. Up until recently, the common practice was to discharge storm runoff via downspouts and catch basins directly into storm sewers. Rainwater was, and often still is, literally sent “down the drain”, a waste material disposed of as efficiently as possible.

How times have changed! In recent years, both ground water supplies and municipal water distribution systems have been stretched beyond capacity by excess demand, especially during periods of drought. Summer watering bans and other emergency measures required to offset water shortages have become the norm here in York Region, on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and in many communities across Ontario and beyond. Consequently, rainwater is now increasingly valued as an important renewable resource that can be “harvested” to reduce the stress on our water supplies.

Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept. In fact, it is an age old practice that has historically been used here (remember the farm cistern?) and in many cultures around the world as a means to offset scarce water supplies. In Ontario, land of lakes and rivers, we have been blessed (or spoiled…) with a seemingly infinite supply of water. This is really just an illusion; the reality is that it is not economically feasible to tap into much of this water. As existing supply lines continue to be stretched beyond capacity, harvesting rainwater for domestic use begins to make a whole lot of sense.

The rainwater harvesting “revival” began in the mid-1990’s with the introduction of the rain barrel. The rain barrel helped popularize the idea of water conservation. In tandem with everything from water-efficient home appliances to “xeriscaping” (i.e., drought tolerant landscaping), the rain barrel became entrenched as a key element in any site-level water conservation strategy.

The rain barrel is still a popular, and while still a common sight in many residential areas, it has its drawbacks and limitations. They are not necessarily the most attractive landscape feature, they can take up a lot of space, and, they typically have a limited holding capacity; once the barrel is filled, excess water is wasted.

It’s time to look beyond the rain barrel. The state of the art is evolving, and a range of other more practical and sophisticated rainwater harvesting practices and technologies have come to the fore.

First off, many new buildings – ones conceived in accordance with sustainability principles - now integrate rainwater harvesting facilities, often within the actual building footprint. Roofs, eaves troughs, drains, downspouts, cisterns, distribution systems and other components are all seamlessly integrated as part of a “built-in” single rainwater harvesting system. These can supply a high-efficiency landscape irrigation system, and can serve other non-potable outdoor and indoor use. These systems can be further refined to receive and store domestic grey water, and can even incorporate filtration and sterilization equipment to allow potable uses.

Existing buildings and landscapes can now be easily retrofitted to reap the stormwater harvest.

Large high capacity fibreglass, polyethylene or concrete “abovegrade” cisterns with many times the holding capacity of a rain barrel can be installed in the yard and connected to network of downspout drains. With a bit of creativity and ingenuity, these can be designed and dressed as an attractive feature in a modern, sustainable landscape. Or, you can install a holding tank below grade and out of sight. There is now a growing supply of reasonably priced, “off the shelf” above- and below-grade cistern systems that can be sized to capture most of the rainwater that falls on a building, and which can provide a reliable water supply during periods of drought. In addition to supplying water for gardening and irrigation, the stored rainwater can serve a dual purpose in ornamental water features. For instance, Aquascape Inc., a major U.S.-based company with distributors across Ontario, has developed the Rain X-change harvesting system, which can be used to supply ponds, “pondless” waterfalls, rain gardens, bioswales and other aquatic landscape features.

Clearly, water conservation has become a fact of life. Rainwater harvesting, in tandem with sensible water efficiency practices, is a practical way to significantly reduce your consumption in the landscape and home. Consider the costs and an investment in your – and your family’s - environmental future. And, since the harvesting system itself can become an aesthetic landscape feature in the landscape, it will, by extension, make a statement of your commitment to green, sustainable living.

Jean-Marc Daigle is a landscape architect, builder and president of Genus Loci Ecological Landscapes Inc. He can be reached at 905-939-8498, or at jeanmarc@genus-loci.ca.