Sustainable, Green Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater Harvesting means to collect rainwater, usually from roof downspouts,
but also from parking lot drains or storm runoff swales.
The idea is thousands of years old.  But we offer it with a new twist. 

Pipe it to a storage tank, pond, or underground structure. 
Here is where my ideas begin to differ and vastly improve on conventional rainwater harvesting.  Tanks are not the most efficient way to store water.  In tandem there is a lot of wasted space and complicated connections.  A single above ground tank may be the cheapest and easiest way to store water, but they take up space, and true, they're ugly.  Burying tanks solves the ugly problem, but they can pop up out of the ground under groundwater pressure if they are not well anchored.  I like ponds and or underground lined storage systems.  Many new commercial buildings in the U.S., Australia, and other countries store storm water under parking lots with modular components.  This new method can replace many of our traditional storm water retention ponds, as seen in every neighborhood and office park and mini mall.  We are beginning to see underground storm water management in new developments as space gets more valuable, and developers see that there is a better looking and more cost effective way of managing storm water.

Filter the water naturally by circulating it through a water garden and natural ecosystem. 
This is the really new and exciting part of Rainwater Harvesting.  I am doing well by the earth and beautifying it at the same time.  By moving the stored water through waterfalls, sediment pools, bogs, and fish and plant areas I am building a complete micro scale water cycle, and cleaning the water.  Have you ever smelled water that has sat in a tank for a few weeks, absent of sunlight?  Storing water is not new.  Using an ecosystem to clean the stored water is brilliant.  Having extra, safe water to use for irrigation and drought relief in this time of water emergencies is priceless. 

Looking at the available big water storage tanks or plastic cisterns that do not add beauty or value to your home or office setting, you probably stopped right there. 

Think again:
With the new RainXchange System, the traditional ways of rainwater harvesting are over.

RainXchange contains a recirculating decorative water feature such as a pond or pondless waterfall with a sub-surface rainwater harvest storage system: It collects water that would be lost, stores it discretely, filters and circulates it through natural waterfalls and aquatic plants, and allows the water to be used for irrigation. Storm overflow is into aquifer recharge and rain gardens, instead of storm sewer pipes. We can be self sufficient, free from water bills and use restrictions, and add biodiversity and beauty to our yards.