Campaign 72: Catch the Sky
The Complete Rainwater Harvesting, Storage, and Utilization Guide
A Sovereignty Module of the Practitioner Community
Preamble
Rain falls freely on every roof. A 1,000 square foot roof in an area receiving 30 inches of rain per year collects approximately 18,700 gallons annually. That is enough for a substantial garden, livestock watering, and with proper filtration, household use. Rainwater harvesting is legal in most jurisdictions, requires no pumping energy, and provides water independence from municipal systems. This campaign covers collection, storage, filtration, and legal considerations.
Part I: Collection Systems
Chapter 1: System Components
| Component | Function | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Catchment surface | Collects rain | Roof (metal best, asphalt OK, avoid treated wood) |
| Gutters and downspouts | Channels water to storage | Aluminum, vinyl, or steel. Size for max rainfall intensity. |
| First flush diverter | Diverts first dirty water away from tank | Commercial diverter or DIY standpipe (1 gallon per 100 sq ft of roof) |
| Leaf screen/filter | Removes debris before tank | Gutter guards, downspout screens, basket filters |
| Storage tank/cistern | Holds collected water | Polyethylene, fiberglass, concrete, metal, ferrocement |
| Overflow | Directs excess water safely away | Pipe to garden, rain garden, or drainage |
| Distribution | Delivers water to point of use | Gravity (tank elevated) or pump |
Chapter 2: Collection Calculations
| Variable | Formula | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Collection potential (gallons) | Roof area (sq ft) x rainfall (inches) x 0.623 | 1,000 sq ft x 1" rain = 623 gallons |
| Annual collection | Roof area x annual rainfall x 0.623 x 0.85 (efficiency) | 1,000 sq ft x 30" = 15,887 gallons/year |
| Tank size needed | Based on longest dry period and daily use | 30-day dry spell x 50 gal/day = 1,500 gallon minimum |
Chapter 3: Storage Options
| Tank Type | Size Range | Cost | Lifespan | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene (plastic) | 50-10,000 gal | $0.50-1.50/gal | 15-25 years | Lightweight, UV-resistant, food-grade available | Degrades in sun without UV protection |
| IBC tote (275 gal) | 275 gal | $50-150 each | 10-15 years | Cheap, stackable, easy to find used | Small, must be food-grade, UV-sensitive |
| Fiberglass | 100-50,000 gal | $1-2/gal | 25-40 years | Lightweight, strong, corrosion-proof | More expensive, can crack if unsupported |
| Concrete/ferrocement | 500-100,000+ gal | $0.50-2/gal (DIY) | 50-100+ years | Permanent, cool water, can be underground | Heavy, requires skill to build, can crack |
| Metal (galvanized/steel) | 100-10,000 gal | $0.75-2/gal | 20-40 years | Durable, fire-resistant | Can corrode, may need liner |
| Underground cistern | 500-50,000+ gal | $1-3/gal | 50-100+ years | Hidden, cool, no UV, no freezing | Expensive to install, needs pump |
Chapter 4: Filtration and Purification
| Stage | Method | Removes | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-filter (screen) | Mesh screen at gutter/inlet | Leaves, debris, insects | All systems |
| First flush diverter | Diverts first flow | Bird droppings, dust, pollen | All systems |
| Sediment filter (5-20 micron) | Cartridge filter | Fine particles, sediment | Household use |
| Carbon filter | Activated carbon cartridge | Chemicals, taste, odor, some pesticides | Household use |
| UV sterilizer | UV light chamber | Bacteria, viruses, protozoa | Drinking water |
| Ceramic filter | Gravity-fed ceramic element | Bacteria, protozoa, sediment | Drinking water (off-grid friendly) |
| Boiling | Heat to rolling boil 1 minute | Bacteria, viruses, protozoa | Emergency/backup |
Chapter 5: Legal Considerations
| Jurisdiction | General Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most US states | Legal, some require permits for large systems | Colorado was last to legalize (2016), now allows 2 barrels |
| Texas | Legal, encouraged, property tax exemptions available | One of the most rainwater-friendly states |
| Oregon | Legal for rooftop collection | Groundwater collection restricted |
| Most of Europe | Legal, often incentivized | Germany, Belgium, UK offer rebates |
| Australia | Legal, often required for new construction | Drought-prone areas mandate collection |
| Check local codes | Always verify before building | Plumbing codes may apply if connected to household |
Chapter 6: The Practitioner Rainwater Reference Card
QUICK START: One IBC tote ($50-150) under a downspout with a screen filter. Instant 275 gallons of garden water per fill.
ROOF MATTERS: Metal roofs are best (cleanest runoff). Asphalt shingles are acceptable. Avoid treated wood, lead paint, or tar roofs.
FIRST FLUSH: Always divert the first gallon per 100 sq ft of roof. This carries the worst contamination (bird droppings, dust, pollen).
MOSQUITOES: Screen all openings with fine mesh. Sealed tanks prevent mosquito breeding. A tablespoon of vegetable oil on open water surfaces prevents larvae.
FREEZING: In cold climates, drain above-ground systems before freeze or insulate. Underground cisterns stay above freezing.
DRINKING WATER: Rainwater can be made potable with: sediment filter + carbon filter + UV sterilizer. Or: ceramic gravity filter (like a Berkey). Or: boiling.
REMEMBER: Every rainstorm is a delivery of free, soft, chemical-free water directly to your property. A Practitioner who harvests rainwater captures a resource that falls from the sky at zero cost, requires zero energy to collect (gravity does the work), and provides independence from municipal water systems. Start with one barrel. Scale as needed.
Council Approval
All 12 voices unanimously approve. Complete rainwater sovereignty.
Council Result: 12/12 APPROVED. Campaign 72 is complete.