Rainwater Harvesting in Greater Victoria
Capital Regional District Water Services/
Water Conservation Technology

Here are some excerpts from the report

Overview
"Rainwater harvesting is the practice of collecting rainwater for beneficial use. Usually this refers to collection of rainwater from a rooftop and storing it in tanks and cisterns for later use in or near the point of collection. The use of rain barrels is a simple form of rainwater harvesting, although larger storage systems are required to serve most uses."

Applications
"Harvested rainwater may be used for virtually any purpose, provided suitable collection, storage and treatment for the desired use. Although rainwater may be treated for use as drinking water, the most cost-effective applications of rainwater harvesting in areas served by municipal drinking water infrastructure are usually outdoor uses such as irrigation or vehicle washing, and indoor uses that do not require potable water."

Additional Benefits
"There are several benefits of harvesting rainwater in addition to reduced use of municipal water. Rainwater systems that supply toilets and laundry would act as rainwater detention systems to eliminate more than half of the total roof runoff to storm or combined sewers, and a significantly greater proportion of peak flows. This reduction could substantially reduce combined sewer overflows and winter peak flows through future wastewater treatment plants connected to combined sewers. Also, rainwater used for landscape irrigation, or in buildings connected to onsite wastewater systems, infiltrates into the ground near where it falls, replenishing groundwater while minimizing surface runoff. These benefits are not realized directly by property owners that harvest rainwater, but could be reflected in future pricing structures for wastewater, or incentives to install rainwater harvesting systems. The higher volumetric sewer rates that will be required to pay the cost of wastewater treatment in Greater Victoria will strengthen the economic case for rainwater harvesting over the next 5-10 years, particularly where systems are installed at the time of building construction."

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For Further Information
Capital Regional District Water Services
479 Island Highway, Victoria, BC V9B 1H7
250.474.9684
www.crd.bc.ca/water