How to Use Unlikely Sources of Water as Valuable Resources

It’s no secret that water is absolutely essential to life. Without supplies of freshwater, plants, animals, and humans alike would languish and eventually die. In fact, millions of people around the world already suffer from a lack of safe, clean freshwater due to climate, location, and pollution complications. This makes it the responsibility of those in the developed world to counteract this imbalance by harnessing water sources that would otherwise go to waste instead of placing more strain on mainstream water sources.

The ability to establish dependable sources of water independent of pre-existing fresh water sources is incredibly valuable not just to the environment, but to your own location during drought or frost.

Stormwater Basin

Rainwater is abundant when it falls, so collecting and utilizing it can be a valuable resource. Non-porous surfaces like parking lots and hardscapes cannot absorb water, which has created problems especially in urban areas where the ground simply cannot handle all of the water that falls during a heavy storm. This problem can easily be fixed using stormwater basins to collect and utilize all of the rainwater that would otherwise sit stagnantly or cause flooding. It’s important to note that stormwater needs to be used carefully since it often contains fertilizers, pesticides, and other toxins that are dangerous when ingested. In extreme cases, water treatment may be needed before the water can be used.

Cisterns

A cistern is a tank used to store water, particularly a tank stored underground to collect rainwater from roofs. They used to be incredibly common in this country as a way for rural homes to support their well water levels, but they fell out of favor with the advent of new technologies. Cisterns are making a comeback today since advanced technology can be applied to make them more efficient and safe for water conservation.