What are cisterns?
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Cisterns are similar to rain barrels but have a much larger capacity. Rain barrels typically hold around 50 gallons, while cisterns may hold 1000-5000 gallons of rainwater.
Maday, Rochel. "What Is a Cistern and How Does It Work?" Angi. 4 Dec. 2024. https://www.angi.com/articles/cisterns-deep-trouble-or-untapped-resource.htm
Why collect rainwater?
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Rain harvesting benefits both the environment and your plants. It reduces municipal water demand and stormwater runoff. Without added fluoride and chlorine, rainwater is better for plants than tap water.
Roofs are a great water collection option, as you can use gravity to your advantage. JCC offers rebates for cisterns with a greater than 1000-gallon capacity.
Cisterns in
your garden
Cisterns at WCG are part of a system built by James City County (JCC) to reclaim water from a pond that is fed by rainwater drainage from the surrounding area.
Water is pumped from the pond to the athletic fields at WISC and Warhill High School. With permission from JCC, WCG taps into the system to fill its cisterns. WCG has two 2500-gallon tanks which are located at an elevated site. Using gravity alone, the tanks provide irrigation from the cisterns through a system of pipes.
Cisterns at
Williamsburg
Community Growers
Interested in learning more? Check out these related articles
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https://cbtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/Fact-Sheet-and-Guidelines_Cistern_042120.pdf
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https://www.housedigest.com/1735663/what-is-a-cistern-how-to-water-garden
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https://raleighnc.gov/stormwater/services/apply-raleigh-rainwater-rewards/cisterns
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https://extension.psu.edu/rainwater-cisterns-design-construction-and-treatment