Rainwater is perfect for outdoor tasks like lawn watering. Homeowners don’t consume municipal water supplies, the strain on wastewater treatment facilities is reduced, and rainwater is free of charge. In addition, natural rainwater is free of additives like chlorine, so plants love it. Rain barrels are great for small gardens, but for larger properties the Rainwater Pillow is a great storage solution.
The Rainwater Pillow system is comprised of an intake filter that channels water into the large water storage bladder, and a small pump to distribute the stored water. The standard 9′ x 11′ x 2.5′ “pillow” has a storage capacity of 1,000 gallons; custom designs are available for drinking water storage and capacities up to 40,000 gallons. The system is fairly expensive, but it’s an eco-friendly way to substantially reduce utility costs without constructing a traditional cistern.
Water can be channelled from rooftop drains or even collected beneath permeable paving. To give a sense of just how much water is wasted during a typical rainstorm, runoff from an inch of rain falling on a 1,600 square-foot rooftop will completely fill the 1,000-gallon Pillow. The bladder itself is made of a UV-resistant reinforced polymer, and it can be located anywhere (such as within a crawlspace or underneath a deck).
Complete systems start around $2,500. Learn more at the Rainwater Pillow manufacturer’s website.