There is a renewed interest in this age-old tradition and we are having some fun with it. From rustic barnboard benches that store rainwater to rainwaterfalls to an entire outdoor kitchen that holds 1,000 gallons, the possibilities are getting ridiculously cool.
This pillar holds about 130 gallons and can be accessed from the hinged cap as well as a lower garden hose that is gravity fed.
Another great set of accessories we have successfully used on numerous rainwater harvesting systems is a built-in pressure pump and retractable hose reel. In the photo below, you can see the set-up and how the pump and hose are plumbed inside a rain bench compartment. The end of this bench is hinged to open like a door.
This pressurizing system can be attached to any standard rainwater system, gives you normal water pressure on a switch and costs about $200. This is the bench, about 13′ long:
This pump retrofit can be found at most local hardware or home improvement stores. Here is a link to this 1/2hp Wayne pump on Amazon:
WAYNE PC4 1/2 HP Cast Iron Multi-Purpose Pump With Suction Strainer
We will have a detailed step-by-step guide to putting it together soon, with all the resources, although we are constantly improving so it may look a bit different.
Of course, if you want to go all out, follow Michael Reynolds’ lead and get what they use and sell at earthship.com, a W.O.M. – Water Organizing Module. It’ll cost you $3100 but you can drink it! These guys know what they are doing, having almost 4 decades of experience..
Update: Here are a couple other pump options, both by Shurflo. One is 12V:
New SHURflo 12V 3.0 GPM RV Water Pump 4008-101-A65 Revolution WITH Strainer
and one is 115V:
SHURflo Industrial Pump – 198 GPH, 115 Volt, 1/2in., Model# 2088-594-154
–both cost quite a bit less than the Wayne pump and both include a built in a pressure switch, which is nice…
I have used the 12V Revolution pump on a few projects and it works very well. Haven’t tried the 115V yet, but I would trust it.
The photos below illustrate how the pressurizing system fits within a sunken system beneath a deck, and a patio bar. This system operates using an outdoor on/off switch mounted on the stone facade, although a pressure switch could be added to automatically give you pressure whenever you turn on the hose…
Below shows another view, note the outdoor switch mounted under the cap. There is also another rainwater harvesting system within a seat wall near the fire pit.
You can see a YouTube video of this system on our channel, or just scroll down this page… 🙂
If you have any creative examples, or just ideas for harvesting rain, feel free to share! We have to do everything we can to make this a viable, attractive practice for everyone to do if it’s going to make a difference.
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