Jerry Block, a retired anesthesiologist, located in Monte Sereno, California, has developed a rainwater harvesting system in his backyard, capable of holding and collecting up to 20,000 gallons of rainwater each year.
“We sized our system according to how much water we’d need to grow enough trees, fruits and vegetables for two people. We get about 15 inches of rain, and we live on an acre of land, so that works out to about 20,000 gallons of irrigation water per year.” Jerry said.
His goal is to be able to store enough water to irrigate crops he grows for himself and his wife on a one acre lot. Using an inexpensive filtering system he claims that he could make the water fit for consumption. The system was installed with components made by Rain Harvesting Systems and Gutterglove, with four huge humungous tanks that hold the water and a sophisticated gutter system to collect it. He has spent on the entire project about $29,000.
According to a study an average American family of four uses about 400 gallons per day, so the new rainwater harvesting system could supply water for a typical family’s usage for 50 days.
[Source: BlueLivingIdeas]
