Rain Water.......

I simply adore the sound of the pitter-patter of rain on any hard surface. That water flowing down the gutters and into the storm drain is a valuable resource.

We not only depend on water, we also pay for it. So, why not put that rainwater to use?

A few posts ago I spoke of our receiving just a little rain, a blessing considering we are in drought mode. It got me thinking about my comment that plants tend to thrive so much better on rainwater...........why?

My research shows a few considerations. Rain may contain a variety of nutrients: phosphorus, sulfur, ammonium, nitrate, even metals like iron and manganese.

Fresh normal rainwater is naturally mildly acidic, because it absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and makes a weak carbonic acid solution.

My understanding is that the acidity of rain varies quite a bit, depending on the season as well as geography, but it is always at least mildly acidic.

Electric charges from thunderstorms also dissolve a small amount of nitrogen into the rainwater in the form of nitrates

Most plants are better able to take up nutrients when the pH is between 6.0-7.2, so it does seem logical that when you've got fresh rain saturated soils, the plants are able to take up more nitrogen and other nutrients than they are when watered with tap water.

The other factor that makes rainwater different from tap water is the hardness, which is a measurement of minerals in the water.

Rain is "soft" water, in that there are no minerals deposited in it, while the ground water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs that becomes our tap water absorbs some of the calcium and magnesium in our soils, and is "hard" water.

These calcium deposits raise the pH (making our soil more alkaline), which makes it harder for the plants to take up certain nutrients.

In addition, rainwater doesn't contain chlorine, fluoride and other salts that have been added to tap water.

These added chemicals affect the soil flora which have an effect on soil fertility.

Nearly any homeowner can collect rainwater, since the roof and gutters do most of the work.

Furthermore, they can harvest huge volumes. An inch of rain, falling on a 2,000-square-foot roof, produces 1,200 gallons of runoff, which is enough to supply a family of four for about two weeks.

Assuming homeowners are allowed to collect it, there are a slew of benefits that come with the purity of rainwater.

Plants prefer it, especially if tap water has been treated with softening salts, which dampen plant growth.

The lack of minerals in rainwater make it more effective for washing hair or doing the dishes.

Furthermore, reducing or eliminating mineral deposits in pipes and water heaters can extend their life, requiring less maintenance and associated costs.

Using rainwater has obvious budgetary benefits, but there are reasons to do it besides putting a dent in the water bill.

With countries around the world anticipating water shortages within the next five years, this may become an attractive option for many

In some places, collecting rainwater is a crime.

Colorado and other western states in America have water rights dating back to the 1800s that give priority to decades-old properties for water access.

Under these restrictions, any captured rainwater is considered stolen from those who own the waterways into which that water would have flowed had it not been collected. Who would believe they would still allow such a moronic law to exist in an age where the lack of water for ever burgeoning populations is a constant threat
 
Resolution? Get as many water collectors (rain water tanks) around your home as you can, use them with soaker hoses, solar pumps etc. Build swales where you can hold the water for longer periods, allowing it to spread deeper across your land.
 
Don't waste a drop.....