Rain occurs in almost every place worldwide. Although more abundant in some areas of the world (the United Kingdom receives a range of twenty to thirty inches per year, for example), rain water can be collected and put to use in a multitude of ways, such as providing drinking water, toilet water, and may also be used for irrigation. Collecting rain water may preserve energy and save money, and in dry areas may be extremely useful in providing a source of water where there usually is a scarcity of water.
Rain water can be collected in tanks or other large bucket-like containers. Placing a barrel or tank directly underneath gutter systems will enable any runoff rain water to be collected and then converted in to drinking water or used for other processes such as irrigation. Rain water collection is advantageous as it may provide drinking water for humans as well as animals and livestock in environments where water is usually scarce. After rain water has been collected, filtering the water will ensure that it is safe to drink. Once the water is clean, it can be stored and used as a source for drinking or bathing water in underdeveloped areas.
Collecting rain water is also energy and cost efficient. By collecting and storing water from rainfall, it is possible to significantly reduce the amount of energy that would be used when carrying out regular household activities involving water. Rain water need only to be filtered to remove any impurities, and then it is regarded as safe for human or animal consumption. Instead of using energy by turning on taps to get water, obtaining rain water requires little to no energy, and has the potential to provide a source of water of the same quality as that obtained from taps.
Rain water collection may also be beneficial to a community as a whole. In certain countries such as Bermuda and the U.S. Virgin Islands, there are laws present which requires any new construction to include a system for collection of rain water which may provide an adequate source for residents. Also, rain water collection in urbanised areas may be beneficial in a number of ways. Collected water may serve as an emergency source for a city or town during natural disasters such as hurricanes, which may cut off water supplies to residents in a city. Collected water may also alleviate flooding and provide moisture for urban plants.