Whether water is scarce in your area or not, collecting rainwater will benefit both you and the environment.  Harvested rainwater is free and can be used for a number of applications, and will thus cut down on your water bill.  By saving water collected during a rainy season and using it during a dry season, you reduce the strain on overtaxed aquifers.  You also ensure absorption and reduce runoff, which carries trash and pollutants into the ocean.

Rain can be collected in a number of different ways, and mostly depends on the type of structure you live in.  If you live in a house with rain gutters, the gutter system can easily be modified to direct water toward a storage barrel.  Simply remove the last couple feet of the drain spout near the ground and place a barrel or drum under the opening.  In order to keep out debris and animals, you should keep the barrel covered, so cut a whole in the lid for the gutter spout and seal it with duct tape or caulk.  If you get a lot of rain in your area, you will have to replace the barrel with a new one once it is full.  Check this website for more detailed instructions on how to set up a rainwater collection barrel.  If you don’t have access to a roof or gutter system because you live in an apartment, you can still collect water, just not in as great a quantity.  Arrange containers, such as buckets or bowls outside when you are expecting rain and transfer their contents into a barrel for storage.

Rainwater can be used for a variety of things around the house, but should not be consumed.  You can use the water for your garden, lawn or other plants.  You can also fill your washing machine and toilet tank with the collected water.  You can wash your car, and even yourself with the collected water.  Be sure to research the local regulations about rainwater collection before you start this project, as it is illegal in some areas.