System Benefits

The benefits of rainwater harvesting go beyond reducing water costs:
    Storm Water Design: Quality Control
      Sustainable Sites Credit 6.1: 1 pt: Limit disruption and pollution of natural water flows by managing stormwater runoff.
      Sustainable Sites Credit 6.2: 1 pt: Limit disruption of natural water flows by eliminating stormwater runoff, increasing on-site infiltration, and eliminating contaminant.

    Water Efficient Landscaping: Reduce by 50%
      Water Efficiency Credit 1.1: 2 pts: Use captured rain or recycled site water to reduce potable water consumption for irrigation by 50% over conventional means.

    Water Efficient Landscaping: No Potable Use or No Irrigation
      Water Efficiency Credit 1.2: 2 pts: Use only captured rain or recycled site water to eliminate all potable water use for site irrigation.

    Innovative Wastewater Technologies
      Water Efficiency Credit 2: 2 pts: Reduce the generation of wastewater and potable water demand, while increasing the local aquifer recharge.

    Water Use Reduction: 20% Reduction
      Water Efficiency Credit 3.1: Required: Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Use 20% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).

    Water Use Reduction: 30% Reduction
      Water Efficiency Credit 3.2: 2-4 pts: Maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems. Use 30% less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation).
        30% reduction: 2 pts
        35% reduction: 3 pts
        40% reduction: 4 pts


  • Reduce energy demands
      Rainwater harvesting water used for nonpotable needs consumes less energy than municipally supplied water, which undergoes high energy requiring water treatment and distribution processes.

  • Promote green technologies and water conservation

  • Reduce stormwater runoff and non-point source pollution
      Reduce stormwater fees
      Reduce detention pond areas
        Increase usable green space
        Utilize land more efficiently for buildings
      Protect sensitive waterways


  • Reuse water on site for nonpotable demands like:
    • landscape irrigation
    • green roof irrigation
    • pool or pond filling
    • vehicle washing
      • cars
      • fleet vehicles
      • emergency vehicles: fire trucks, police cars, ambulances
      • lawnmowers
      • tractors
    • toilet flushing
    • clothes washing
    • fire suppression
    • cooling towers
    • cleaning


  • Provide a water supply in areas where groundwater is diminished and/or municipal water supply is not available.

  • Provide an onsite safe water supply during natural disasters and terrorist attacks.

  • Allow for irrigation during times of drought, which promotes plant health, thus reducing the heat island effect and subsequent energy demands around buildings.

  • Collect water during heavy rains, which can not be absorbed into ground, and reapply at the appropriate infiltration rate, thus encouraging plant growth and reducing stormwater runoff.

  • Recharge groundwater aquifers with collected rainwater.