Rainwater harvesting is a huge advantage to a family. Where possible, store your water.
Water increases your independence. Prepare today by storing as much water for your family as possible.
Several small drums are better than one large tank. This spreads your risk.
After the next earthquake
Can you store water at home? Can you harvest rain-water? If you can then make this water storage a priority.
Second only to having a torch on hand, Christchurch quake survivors said that stored water was the most needed item for most effected families, for months.
Water after an earthquake or flood
Own a Water Filter
Water filters are essential. In NZ they are available at outdoor, camping and sports stores. Several types, makes and models are available from about NZD $20. The filter is in the lid of the drinking bottle. Do your homework before buying a filter.
Learn how Australians have used such water filters after flooding.
Harvest rainwater
In rainwater harvesting is basically the same in many countries. See video:
How to make a rainwater harvester
First, get some drums. Drums are better after an earthquake than concrete tanks. You can buy them from drum recycler companies throughout NZ. Ensure the drums have been used for food quality use and the plastic is for food quality.
Description by Susy Morris: “We installed a rain barrel system behind our garage. It gives me tons of fresh water for the gardens.
I end up saving so much money because our water is pretty expensive.
We have 7-55 gallon barrels all hooked together. They fill at the same time and drain together.
We have one tap to fill watering cans and a pump with another spigot for use with the hose or sprinkler.
Above: Overflow.
“There’s an overflow as well, they’re all hooked together and overflow into the downspout if they’re full.
We have a clear tube at the end so we can see how much water we have. The system is also easily expandable if we want to add more barrels, we think we can fit 7-10 more across the back of the garage.”
The barrels are painted white to keep the water cool.
In NZ we need water in drums or bottles as well as tanks, in case of earthquake when tanks may be destroyed in seconds.
References & photo credits
1. Photo of rainwater on a leaf by Andrew Sharpe. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharpeimages/2792279201/ Received 13 Nov 2011.
2. Rainwater photos by Susy Morris. www.flickr.com/photos/chiotsrun/sets/72157623501886951 Received 13 Nov 2011.
Rainwater Harvesting
Posted by Hank in Water storage
Rainwater harvesting is a huge advantage to a family. Where possible, store your water.
Water increases your independence. Prepare today by storing as much water for your family as possible.
Several small drums are better than one large tank. This spreads your risk.
After the next earthquake
Can you store water at home? Can you harvest rain-water? If you can then make this water storage a priority.
Second only to having a torch on hand, Christchurch quake survivors said that stored water was the most needed item for most effected families, for months.
Water after an earthquake or flood
Own a Water Filter
Water filters are essential. In NZ they are available at outdoor, camping and sports stores. Several types, makes and models are available from about NZD $20. The filter is in the lid of the drinking bottle. Do your homework before buying a filter.
Learn how Australians have used such water filters after flooding.
Harvest rainwater
In rainwater harvesting is basically the same in many countries. See video:
How to make a rainwater harvester
First, get some drums. Drums are better after an earthquake than concrete tanks. You can buy them from drum recycler companies throughout NZ. Ensure the drums have been used for food quality use and the plastic is for food quality.
Description by Susy Morris: “We installed a rain barrel system behind our garage. It gives me tons of fresh water for the gardens.
I end up saving so much money because our water is pretty expensive.
We have 7-55 gallon barrels all hooked together. They fill at the same time and drain together.
We have one tap to fill watering cans and a pump with another spigot for use with the hose or sprinkler.
Above: Overflow. “There’s an overflow as well, they’re all hooked together and overflow into the downspout if they’re full.
We have a clear tube at the end so we can see how much water we have. The system is also easily expandable if we want to add more barrels, we think we can fit 7-10 more across the back of the garage.”
The barrels are painted white to keep the water cool.
References & photo credits
1. Photo of rainwater on a leaf by Andrew Sharpe. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sharpeimages/2792279201/ Received 13 Nov 2011.
2. Rainwater photos by Susy Morris. www.flickr.com/photos/chiotsrun/sets/72157623501886951 Received 13 Nov 2011.