Texas had a very wet spring this year resulting in tremendous flooding, but this is not the norm. With the recent Texas drought fresh in everyone’s memory, many communities and individuals are eager to find alternate ways of ensuring they have easy access to water for things like irrigation and water features. Unlike those who live in rain-rich climates, folks in arid states like Arizona and Texas should take advantage of their limited rainfall and collect it. If you’re thinking, “we get so little rain, it’s not even worth it”, think again. If rain off of every roof or hard surface in your community was collected during seasonal downpours, your community may very well collect enough water to meet most, if not all of your irrigation needs. And before you grimace, rainwater collection systems don’t have to be an eye sore.

Some states like Texas prohibit HOA communities from banning rainwater collection systems, as the benefits of these systems are tremendous. However, if you are considering when outlining your HOA rainwater collection policy.

  1. Tanks – With every rainwater collection system comes the fear of big, ugly tanks. While your fear isn’t unfounded, some companies have designed low profile tanks that tuck in next to houses and come in a variety of colors to blend in with their surroundings. Encourage residents to purchases tanks with low profile designs like this.
  1. Pumps – Depending on the complexity and goals of a homeowner’s system (i.e. landscape irrigation), pumps may be necessary to deliver water to plants and grass. Since a mess of plumbing and pumps can be an eye sore, consider requiring homeowners to keep their pumps in a “pump house” and/or behind the fence. No only does this protect their equipment from the elements, it also prevents it from becoming a curb appeal nuisance.
  1. Gutters – What no HOA wants is a homeowner who “slaps” together a collection system by placing buckets under main runoff points. Require gutters for any rain collection system in your community. Gutters keep the collection system efficient and visually streamlined.

By keeping these three things in mind, your association and its homeowners can erect collection systems that are highly efficient AND blend in with their surrounding. It’s a win-win.

To learn more about the uses and benefits of a rain harvesting check back for our next post on rainwater collection systems!