Stormwater Capture and Re-use

In some areas, stormwater may be re-used for irrigation and other purposes where potable water is not necessary. Reusing stormwater reduces pollution and stream erosion, improves watershed hydrology, and restores the natural hydrologic regime. It can be as simple as using a rain barrel to water outdoor plants, or involve more complex designs to re-use water to flush toilets.

Examples:

• rain barrels for residential areas
  Buy a rainbarrel from Green Calgary (formerly Clean Calgary Association)
  Buy a rainbarrel in/around Edmonton
• industrial capture and reuse
• purple pipe systems (flushing toilets with re-used water)
• rainwater harvesting
• stormwater harvesting in storm ponds for re-use as irrigation water or other non-potable uses