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The vast majority of humanity lives on water that falls on the roof of their home, without the material and energy-intensive infrastructure that is required by modern municipal water and sewage systems. This dependable and affordable shift in resource usage can capture thousands of gallons of fresh water from your rooftop for use in the yard, garden, or even the house! It also slows down the entrance of storm water into the sewage treatment system, preventing hazardous overflows. While the American pattern of water usage trends into the thousands of gallons of water per person each day (industrial, agricultural, manufacturing, etc.), our personal consumption is typically between 75 and 100 gallons each day, and less for children. Water conserving technology and behavior can cut that amount by 30%-50%. If you think of capturing enough water to provide 150 gallons for your family to use each day, you might feel skeptical about your rooftop being able to supply your needs. However, the Pittsburgh region gets more than forty inches of precipitation each year. Even a small roof (1,000 square feet) in our area will catch about 25,000 gallons per year, enough to meet about 25% to 50% of a typical family’s demand. Simple filtration and purification measures can take care of getting your water ready to drink. The Urban Homesteaders team has experience with water conservation techniques, including: - Rain barrel collection systems
- Green roofs
- Greywater recycling systems
- Runoff/gutter-fed ponds
- Low-flow fixtures
Contact us to explore water saving strategies for your home.
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