We looked into rainwater catchment too, but honestly, in a dry climate it can be pretty hit-or-miss. Friends of ours tried it and ended up needing a massive storage tank to make it through the dry months...which wasn't cheap. They joked their tank cost more than their first car. Have you considered combining rainwater catchment with your hauling setup? Might stretch your water supply without breaking the bank.
"Have you considered combining rainwater catchment with your hauling setup? Might stretch your water supply without breaking the bank."
Totally agree with this. A hybrid system is probably the smartest way to go, especially if you're budget-conscious. One thing I've seen people overlook is sizing their tank realistically—bigger isn't always better if your rainfall is inconsistent. You could start smaller, track actual usage for a season, then scale up gradually if needed. Saves money upfront and avoids the "tank costs more than my first car" scenario...which sounds painfully familiar, lol.
Good points about tank sizing. I've noticed people sometimes underestimate how much water they actually use day-to-day, especially if they're coming from city utilities and haven't tracked it before. A friend of mine started with a smaller tank thinking they'd be conservative, but ended up hauling water way more often than expected—kind of defeated the purpose of saving money. Eventually, they added a second tank to balance things out, but it was a hassle and extra expense.
One thing I wonder about is maintenance. Rainwater catchment sounds great on paper, but how much upkeep does it realistically need? Filters, cleaning gutters, algae buildup...has anyone here dealt with these issues firsthand? Seems like something worth considering before diving in.
Maintenance is definitely something to factor in. I've had a rainwater catchment setup for about five years now, and while it's not overly demanding, it does require regular attention. Filters need checking every few months, gutters can clog surprisingly fast (especially if you've got trees nearby), and algae buildup can be a headache if your tank isn't properly shaded or treated. Has anyone tried UV sterilizers or other treatments to manage algae growth? Curious how effective they've been long-term...
I've seen UV sterilizers used in a couple setups, and from what I've observed, they can be pretty effective—especially if algae's been a persistent issue. A few things to consider though:
- UV sterilizers work best when paired with regular tank maintenance. They're not a set-it-and-forget-it solution, unfortunately.
- The effectiveness depends heavily on sizing the unit correctly for your tank volume and flow rate. Too small or too fast a flow, and you'll barely notice a difference.
- Replacement bulbs can add up over time, so factor that into your ongoing costs.
One friend of mine swears by adding shade cloth around his tank to reduce sunlight exposure, and it's helped him cut down algae growth significantly. Might be worth trying alongside UV treatment if you haven't already.
Sounds like you've got a good handle on the maintenance side already, though. Five years is impressive—most people underestimate how quickly gutters clog up, especially near trees.
