Rainwater harvesting is a practical and economical system of collecting and storing rainwater that would otherwise be lost to runoff or evaporation.

Collected rainwater from rooftops and land surfaces is a valuable resource for both potable (drinking) and non-potable water uses. Examples of uses are irrigation system water supply, car wash water, and non-potable interior plumbing water. In addition, rainwater can easily be converted into potable water by using a variety of methods.

Rainwater harvesting is a 4,000-year-old concept that has been used in desert areas as well as the Caribbean islands. Both Germany and Australia have had aggressive rainwater harvesting programs in place for quite some time.

As populations grow and water usage escalates, a more urgent need to effectively manage this limited natural resource has become inevitable.

Rainwater harvesting is an efficient and beneficial tool for supplementing our existing water supply, reducing runoff pollution, and conserving our environment. It is an important component of the LEED Green Building rating system, a national standard for energy efficient sustainable buildings maintained by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

Rainwater harvesting is recognized by many as an inexpensive component in attaining LEED credit points.

Below are examples of typical residential and commercial rainwater harvesting systems.