Using Harvested Rainwater for General Outdoor Use
General outdoor water use encompasses activities like cleaning patios and driveways, filling birdbaths and water features, watering potted plants and hanging baskets, rinsing outdoor furniture, and hosing down sidewalks. The average homeowner uses 30-50 gallons per day on miscellaneous outdoor tasks during warmer months. Harvested rainwater is perfectly suited for all of these purposes without any treatment beyond basic debris screening. A simple rain barrel with a spigot handles most general outdoor tasks, though a small pump adds convenience for tasks that benefit from higher water pressure. This category also includes greenhouse misting, composting (keeping compost piles moist), and cleaning garden tools and boots. General outdoor use is seasonal in most climates, with demand concentrated in the spring through fall months.
General Outdoor Use Potential by State
How much of your general outdoor use demand can rainwater meet? It depends on where you live. The table below shows the annual harvest, demand coverage, and recommended tank size for general outdoor use in eight representative states, using a 1,500-square-foot asphalt shingle roof .
| State | Annual Rainfall | Annual Harvest | Demand Met | Rec. Tank | Savings/Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 22.2" | 13,756 gal | 100.0% | 2,500 gal | $98.55 |
| Texas | 28.9" | 22,277 gal | 100.0% | 2,500 gal | $54.75 |
| Florida | 54.5" | 39,622 gal | 100.0% | 5,000 gal | $54.75 |
| New York | 46.2" | 33,641 gal | 100.0% | 2,500 gal | $98.55 |
| Colorado | 15.9" | 11,589 gal | 100.0% | 1,000 gal | $54.75 |
| Hawaii | 63.7" | 45,229 gal | 100.0% | 5,000 gal | $164.25 |
| Arizona | 13.6" | 8,373 gal | 76.5% | 1,000 gal | $50.24 |
| Washington | 38.4" | 27,511 gal | 100.0% | 5,000 gal | $65.70 |
Setup Requirements for General Outdoor Use
General outdoor use encompasses the miscellaneous water needs that every homeowner has: rinsing patios and walkways, filling birdbaths and water features, washing garden tools, cleaning outdoor furniture, spot watering hanging baskets and potted plants, and composting (keeping compost piles properly moist). These are typically intermittent uses that collectively add up to 30-50 gallons per day during warmer months.
A rain barrel with a spigot is perfectly suited for general outdoor use. No filtration, pump, or special plumbing is needed — just fill a watering can or connect a garden hose. Position barrels near the areas where you use water most frequently. Two or three barrels distributed around your property (one near the garden, one near the patio, one near the driveway) provide convenient access without dragging hoses across the yard. General outdoor use is an excellent first application for homeowners new to rainwater harvesting.
Other Rainwater Uses
Explore other ways to use harvested rainwater at home:
- Garden Irrigation — 50 gal/day
- Lawn Irrigation — 75 gal/day
- Toilet Flushing — 20 gal/day
- Laundry — 15 gal/day
- Car Washing — 50 gal/day
- Livestock Watering — 30 gal/day
- Pool Top-Off — 10 gal/day
- Drinking and Cooking — 1 gal/day (potable treatment required)
- Pressure Washing — 100 gal/day
Calculate Your General Outdoor Use Potential
Use our Rainwater Harvesting Calculator to see how much of your general outdoor use demand can be met by rainwater in your specific location. Select general outdoor use from the use checkboxes along with any other uses you are considering, and get a personalized monthly supply vs. demand analysis with tank size recommendation and cost savings estimate.