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What is Rainwater Management?
Rainwater management is about making smart and sustainable choices when it comes to rainwater - it can be as simple as collecting and storing rainwater!
- rainwater management
- rainwater harvesting
- stormwater management
- rainwater conservation
What is Rainwater Management?
Rainwater management refers to planning, control and use of rainwater to help prevent damage. Instead, the benefits are harnessed and rainwater can be used as a sustainable resource! It often involves collecting rainwater for use and finding ways to slow the flow of water to help reduce run off.
This is frequently used in built up, urban areas where an increased number of roads and buildings can lead to higher water runoff and flooding. When used effectively, rainwater management looks to address issues including stormwater runoff, erosion, water quality and water scarcity.
What other names does it have?
There are other names that refer to rainwater management and associated practices that you might have heard of. These include:
- Stormwater management
- Rainwater harvesting
- Urban water management
- Rainwater conservation
- Sustainable water practices
Integrating smart water practices and water-friendly habits into our lives is important in contributing to a more positive future for our resources. Through these methods help reduce waste and find creative ways to use rainwater as communities.
Why is it important?
Rainwater management and innovative use of our resources is essential as we move forwards into the climate crisis. Effective management contributes solving to environmental, economic and social concerns including reducing flooding and soil erosion, cost savings, improving water quality and building community resilience to water-related challenges.
How can you get involved in rainwater management practices?
Collect rainwater
Use barrels, water butts and containers to catch falling rainwater. For extra efficiency, these can be connected to your downpipes to capture run off from your roof.
You can use the collected rainwater for plants, outdoor spaces and jobs like washing your car - rainwater like this is better for your garden in comparison to tap water!
Reduce Runoff
Instead of choosing pavement or concrete for patios, walkways and driveways choose permeable surfaces like gravel that help capture and infiltrate water.
You can also plant trees to help reduce run off. Canopy leaves, branches and trunks all intercept rainwater, slowing its journey towards the ground. Tree route systems help water penetrate into soil faster, leading to less surface run-off and more water stored in the soil.
Join Community Initiatives
We believe collective action is essential to implementing more sustainable rainwater practices. Imagine if we call captured the rainwater falling onto our roofs?
It is likely your local community will have water conservation and environments sustainability focused projects. This might include community gardens and rain gardens or schemes providing access to rainwater management devices.