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Rainwater recycling systems generally last 15 to 30 years, depending on the materials, maintenance, environment, and other factors. For example, high-quality tanks made from fiberglass or concrete may last longer than other options. Cisterns last up to 40 years, while rain barrels are more vulnerable to UV rays and weather damage and don’t usually last longer than 15 years.

Installing a cistern can be as easy as placing a barrel or tank underneath a downspout or as complex as putting one underground. For underground cisterns, a team excavates land, places and routes the cistern for irrigation and/or household purposes, and fills the land back in once it’s set up. If you’re using the water throughout the home, a professional will hook it up to your home’s plumbing.

A cistern collects rainwater from either gutters and downspouts or rainwater seeping into the ground. You can repurpose that water in a number of ways, such as for a sprinkler system, watering your garden, or even for filtering into potable water.

The length of time you can store rainwater depends on the condition and purpose of the water, as well as the collection system. For watering your garden or lawn, water is fine to use for a long time as long as algae doesn’t develop. For water drinking purposes, water can last indefinitely as long as it’s properly treated and in a container that doesn’t break down.

For every inch of rain that falls over 1,000 square feet of collection surface, you can collect between 550 and 630 gallons of rainwater. If you have a 1,000-square-foot roof and get half an inch of rain directed to your harvesting system, you’ll collect 225 gallons of water.

Rainwater harvesting can be cost-effective. While installation requires an upfront investment, your system allows you to access free water on an ongoing basis. You can use collected rainwater for landscaping or regular lawn watering. With the right equipment, you can also use it for cooking, bathing, and drinking.