ainwater harvesting can be as simple as placing a barrel under a roof’s downspout for collecting water for your plants. Or it can be an elaborate arrangement of cisterns, pumps and filters to provide an entire household with water.

A common practice in the early 20th century, rainwater harvesting is becoming popular again in Texas for several reasons. The benefits include:

1. Rainwater provides an alternative water source.
2. It benefits plants more than chemically treated water.
3. By using rainwater you can limit stormwater pollution by catching water that would otherwise wash over land and into waterways.
4. Rainwater is naturally softened, so it lacks the minerals found in ground and surface water, making it easier on your plumbing.

Learn moreFor more information, download the following publications and view these Web sites:

• Saving from a Rainy Day brochure on rainwater harvesting.
• The Texas Manual on Rainwater Harvesting, an 88-page guide from the Texas Water Development Board.
• Texas A&M University Rainwater Calculator.
• American Rainwater Catchment Association.
• Financial assistance: Some help is available for buying and installing rainwater systems. The State of Texas has made the purchase of rainwater equipment tax exempt. Download information.
• Rainwater incentives, such as rebates, also are offered by some local governments. Here are two:
  • Hays County.
  • City of Austin.

For more information on LCRA’s water conservation programs or publications, please call (512) 473-3200, Ext. 4009, or 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 4009. You may also reach us by e-mailing waterconservation@lcra.org.

— Updated April 10, 2007

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