Harvesting rain

Water - it's essential to life as we know it. And here in the wet Northwest, it seems like we're blessed with more than we need.

Our rainfall is ample. Winter snowpack on nearby mountains ensures water for most of the year. Yet in the hot, dry months of late summer, we sometimes face shortages.

I curse the rain when it pours for days on end. But that energy is better spent giving thanks for the rain barrels that store the surplus.

Water is a big deal. Because of my work with local farms, I know they're working to reclaim water and create better on-farm water storage. Water rights are a big issue. Water - too much or too little - can threaten our very survival. It's the subject of international discussions and a reason for potential conflict (right up there with oil).

Seattle, fortunately, encourages rain water harvesting, although individual permits were once required state-wide. Recognizing the futility of enforcement in Seattle, where so many homeowners harvest their rainwater through catchment systems, the state granted a region-wide permit. Here in the northwest part of the state, it makes good environmental sense, too - surplus water would otherwise runoff into Puget Sound, carrying with it all the "stuff" that accumulates on our surface areas - motor oil, animal waste, chemicals, pesticides (although not from my yard!).

Plants must have water in order to grow the food we need to thrive. Why wouldn't we capture some of that rainfall for future watering needs? I'm looking forward to a lush, edible garden this year, grown as sustainably as possible, using organic or heritage seeds and plants, deliciously composted soil and the water we've stored in our eclectic collection of rain barrels.


And in case you're interested, here is more information and other resources pertaining to water.
HarvestH20 - online rainwater harvesting community
Rainwater Collection - Washington State Dept. of Ecology
and, while a different issue but no less important and interesting:
"Water for Life Decade - 2005 - 2015" - UN Millenium Development Goals