Thesis Statement

Currently in North America, there are two systems utilized to harvest rainwater, rain barrels and underground catch basins. Rain barells function by allowing rain water to collect in barells, where they are filtered and sent to an irrigation or plumbing system. Catch basins are built below grade and the rainwater also runs to the catch basin and gets filtered. The rainwater can run into the catch basin either from the roof, or by finding a catchment area for the water to run through the soil to your catch basin. My goal is to find out what system is more cost effective, environmentally friendly, and easier to maintain.

Images By Doug Clark