Rainwater Harvesting

A shiny silver 2,500-gallon rainwater tank sits outdoors on a concrete pad.

Did you know that the Green Learning Station was the first building in Cincinnati to legally reuse rainwater indoors? When you flush the toilet, you're using rainwater!

How It Works

A 2,500-gallon rain tank sits outside the GLS and captures all the water that flows off the roof. This tank is connected to a pump that sends the rainwater to our hoses and through a filter on its way to the toilet.

Residential Rainwater Collection & Use

Flushing toilets isn't the only thing rainwater is good for. It can also be collected and used for things like watering plants or washing your car.

While the GLS has the space and ability to house a 2,500-gallon storage tank, most residents have neither the space nor the need for such capacity. A more practical solution is to harvest rainwater with rain barrels. This is a great way to prevent rainwater from puddling in your yard, flooding your basement, or overflowing Cincinnati's sewer system.

Rainwater harvesting is a great tool for keeping rainwater where it falls. But keep this important fact in mind: Rainwater is NOT DRINKABLE! Because it is untreated, it is NOT safe for human consumption.

Want to learn more?

We typically offer a rain barrel class in the spring. Keep an eye on our calendar or sign up for our monthly newsletter for upcoming dates. In the meantime, our rain barrel guide includes some tips for getting started. You can also learn more about rain gardens, which are another way of doing your part to keep rainwater where it falls.