Rainwater Harvesting in Saskatchewan - Alternative to a Well

This rainwater harvesting system is designed to be the primary source for potable water, with a backup water source of hauled water. Based on the initial analysis this system can harvest approximately 48,000 litres annually.   The system can harvest water from the entire home and garage. This provides approximately 50 - 80 % of all the water needs of the client. The only other option this client has, like all rural clients, is to drill a well or have water hauled into a cistern. The well is very common although drilling a well is a gamble as you pay regardless of finding water. Hauling water had less initial cost compared to a well but the ongoing costs were very high. Therefore rainwater harvesting offers the best of both options for lower initial and ongoing costs. 

Cleanflo was approached by the client to design a solution for water for a new home she had was building for an acreage outside Regina near Craven, Saskatchewan. Cleanflo performed a rainwater site analysis for the property to determine the estimated rainwater collection potential from the catchment surfaces of the house and garage. 

As this is a potable drinking water system, Cleanflo took a very close look at the materials being used, to prevent any contamination leaching into the harvested rain water. 

Cleanflo provided a complete package with professional design. Moreover they allowed this home to be built Rain Water Harvesting ready so that there were no additional costs in re-working conventional building facilities to fit our Rain Water Harvesting System. It allowed a variety of contractors to work seamlessly together and to prevent any roadblocks before installation and prevented associated extra costs of re-working.

“We were building and needed to put in all services. All the wells in the area were dug to at least 400 feet and neighbours had told us the quality wasn’t great,” Demyen said. 

“It just made sense to harvest rainwater from the roof to use throughout our house and yard.” Demyen says the whole home system cost approximately $20,000 less than it would have cost to have a well dug and that the system will eventually pay for itself.

“I pay for filters, but that cost is less than a standard monthly water bill. Plus, you don’t actually realize how great it tastes until you drink other water.”