It’s true that investing in rainwater storage doesn’t pencil out if you are comparing the cost of city water gallon for gallon in todays prices but here are some things to consider that incentivize our customers:

1. Future cost of water – Water prices are exceedingly low and considering the extreme measures we take to get clean drinking water to San Diego, most people agree prices can not continue to remain so low.  Our water is transported hundreds of miles from Northern California and the Colorado River.  Admittedly the City of San Diego and municipalities throughout the county are focusing on local water resource expansion like Desalination and Indirect Potable Reuse (recycling waste water into drinking water), however these strategies are extremely energy intensive and require vast resources to build and maintain.   Centralized management also still leaves us vulnerable in the event of catastophe like earthquakes, power outages, etc. (see #4 below)

2. Tiered pricing – the lowest tier of water will always remain somewhat low since that allows all people to afford at least enough water to drink and bathe in and flush toilets.  However, upper tiers are designed to be higher since it becomes more and more of a luxury to irrigate larger and larger landscapes. If prices go up these upper tiers will go up disproportionately. Having alternative sources of irrigation for valuable landscaping (mature trees, food producing landscapes, expensive landscape installations) means you will be buffered against future price hikes.

3. Rainwater (ph between 5.0 and 5.5) is superior to city water  (ph 8)since it is much softer and free from chlorine and other chemicals.  This means plants grow way better with less water overall when using rainwater to irrigate.   Especially sensitive plants like Avocados and blueberries.

4. Having stored rainwater at your property means that if we run into serious drought conditions or other conditions where the city limits water use, you will be buffered against this and be able to maintain valuable landscape investments including edible landscaping like established fruit trees which would be expensive to replace.  When our neighbors are storing rainwater also, our neighborhoods become more resilient in the event of power outages, earthquakes, drought, etc.

5. Rainwater is a great emergency supply in case of any break in city water supply.  Especially when installed properly with prefiltration, the water remains extremely clean inside the storage. You can use backpacking filters/boiling/etc to get clean drinking and cleaning water

6. Considering the recent storms and massive flooding and the kind of pollution that runs from the storm drains directly into the rivers and our coast lines, it is plausible that rainwater containment will become more required to help buffer our communities from these problems.

While most municipalities mention rain barrel rebates, it’s important to note that there are a few programs for rebating larger rainwater cisterns:

1. City of San Diego upped their rainwater rebate program so you can capture up to $800 ($1.50/gallon), plus there are gutter rebates available too!
2. Everyone in San Diego County who has a water bill (not on well water) qualifies for up to $350 from socalwatersmart.com
3. If you are in the unincorporated part of the county you may qualify for up to $2100 in rebates for both active (cistern) rainwater storage and passive (earthworks like swales/basins) water harvesting, as well as gutters.  Check the map to see if you qualify.  And check with us to optimize your returns!

CatchingH2O has been the leader in education and installation of rainwater and greywater systems in San Diego since 2008.  Contact us now for a consultation.

Check in next week to get our tips on how to optimize your investment.