Who is Rainwater Harvesting For?

Texans who want more control over their water. Rainwater collection can supplement a well, reduce outdoor demand, or (with the right design and treatment) serve as a sole household supply. The best results come when you match expectations to your roof, storage, and the seasonal reality of Texas rainfall.

Who should consider rainwater collection in Texas

Water-level concerns

Homeowners in areas seeing groundwater stress or declining well performance who want another on-site supply.

In much of Texas, a home’s water reliability depends on conditions you don’t control: aquifer levels, pumping in the area, well depth and yield, and seasonal dry spells. A rainwater system won’t replace every situation, but it can add a dependable “roof-based” supply and reduce pressure on your well.

Conservation-minded

Folks who want to support the local environment by reducing demand on aquifers and municipal systems.

Rainwater harvesting is a practical way to capture water where it falls and use it locally. Even a modest system can reduce summertime peaks (when utilities are stressed and landscapes need water most) and help stretch shared resources during drought.

Water quality focus

Homeowners concerned about water quality or environmental impacts affecting groundwater supplies beyond their property.

Water quality can vary significantly by source and location. With rainwater, the “source” is your roof and system design, which means you can manage quality through materials, screening, first-flush diversion, storage, filtration, and (for potable) disinfection. Many people start with landscape uses and scale up as they learn.

Self-reliance

People who want to actively manage their own water supply—storage levels, usage habits, and system maintenance.

Rainwater systems reward attention. The more you want rainwater to cover critical uses, the more you’ll think in terms of storage, seasonal balance, and conservation. The upside is independence: you’re not guessing where your water comes from—you’re managing it.

Preparedness

Homeowners preparing for natural or manmade disruptions—rainwater storage can act as a local reserve.

Texas sees a wide range of disruptive events: extended drought, hurricanes, severe storms, freezes, and power outages. A properly designed rainwater system can provide stored water when deliveries, pumping, or treatment are interrupted. Your design goal matters: landscape-only needs are simpler than whole-home resilience.

What rainwater can be used for

Common applications

  • Sole household supply (with appropriate design and treatment)
  • Supplementing a well/groundwater supply
  • Landscape irrigation
  • Outdoor cleaning and equipment wash-down
  • Water for wildlife or livestock
  • Firefighting or other on-site uses (where applicable)

Homeowner mindset & commitment

New build: sole household water supply

  • Expect behavior change: you’re managing storage and weather, not an unlimited tap
  • Plan to check tank levels and rainfall patterns at least every couple of months
  • Design the home around collection: ample roof area, efficient materials, thoughtful plumbing, right-sized storage
  • Rethink lawns: large turf irrigation uses a lot of water—consider drought-tolerant landscaping and smaller grass areas
  • For landscaped beds, plan for drip irrigation and/or hand watering based on current conditions

Existing home: retrofit as sole supply

  • Retrofits can work, but they’re usually more design-constrained than new builds
  • Best results tend to come from the right roof material (often galvanized metal or tile) and enough roof area for your household demand
  • Tank placement can be the biggest challenge—site topography, setbacks, access, and aesthetics all matter
  • Gutters, downspout routing, and plumbing slopes/layout may need upgrades to reliably move water to storage
  • If whole-home is the end goal, many homeowners start with supplemental/irrigation first, then scale up as site constraints become clear

Residential: irrigation and/or supplementing a well

  • More flexible roof and tank options than a whole-home, sole-supply design
  • Typically requires less active monitoring day-to-day
  • A great way to cut peak summer demand and improve drought resilience

A simple rule: start with the goal that matches your willingness to monitor and maintain. Many Texans begin with irrigation/supplemental systems, learn their seasonal balance, then scale toward larger storage or more critical uses.

Check your roof's potential

Use the calculator to see estimated capture by month and size storage for your goals.

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