Essential Rainwater Harvesting

"You owe it to your family to follow the prescriptions in this book and be prepared for droughts and shortages through rainwater harvesting." —Jerry Yudelson, author of Dry Run: Preventing the Next Urban Water Crisis

Water is a crucial resource increasingly under stress. Yet rainfall, even in arid climates, can make up a sizable portion of any home, acreage, or farm's water requirements if harvested and utilized with care. The key is appropriate planning and high-quality site- and climate-specific design.

Essential Rainwater Harvesting is a comprehensive manual for designing, building, and maintaining water harvesting systems for the warm and cold climates of the world. Presenting design considerations and approaches for the most common household rainwater supply scenarios—primary, supplemental, and off-grid supply—this step-by-step approach covers:
Considerations for full-property water securityDemand planning and conservation strategiesSupply calculations and design implications for extreme rainfall and droughtMaterials selection and water qualitySystem and site assessmentSizing and design of gutters, conveyance, tanks, and pumpsPre-filtration, filtration, and disinfection optionsSystem maintenance and upkeep

This practical resource provides DIYers, trades, and rainwater practitioners with the essential tools, methods, and technical know-how to design, build, and maintain rainwater harvesting systems anywhere.


"Go to it! Become a rainwater harvester! Embrace your downpipes and filtration systems! And all the while with this brilliant book stuffed into your back pocket." —Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition movement


"Inspired to save your own rainwater for garden and home? Essential Rainwater Harvesting is bursting with personal, practical, and precise information to get gardeners saving water right now." —Donna Balzer, author of No Guff Vegetable Gardening