In this blog, we’re clearing up the most common misconceptions about rainwater harvesting—so you can understand what’s true, what’s outdated, and what’s simply wrong.
And along the way, we’ll show how high-quality products like the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter make the process even easier, safer, and more efficient.
Myth #1: “Rainwater Is Dirty and Unsafe to Use”
This is the biggest misconception.
Fact: Rainwater is naturally soft, slightly acidic, and among the cleanest water sources before it touches a surface.
The real source of contamination isn’t the rain itself—it’s dust, leaves, and debris that accumulate on roofs.
Solution: High quality stainless steel rain gutter filter will prevent most debris from entering your water system. The gutter is the best place to catch contaminates instead of adding filters between the tank and the gutters. Filter will plug easily and require continual maintenance if you have any trees or other sources of contaminate near you roofs.
✔️Unlike most rainwater diverts, the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter will not clog with proper gutter filters.
Myth #2: “Rainwater Systems Are Complicated”
Many people imagine elaborate pipes, pumps, filters, and engineered systems.
Fact: A basic rainwater harvesting system has 4 parts:
- A roof
- A gutter system
- A rainwater diverter that such as the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter. We think the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter is the best on the market.
With a product like the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter, installation is simple and maintenance is minimal.
✔️ No moving parts
✔️ No electricity
✔️ No cleaning or technical expertise needed
✔️ Installs in minutes
Myth #3: “You Can Only Use Rainwater for Your Garden”
Rainwater use to have a lot of limits as to approved usage. First many states did not allow people to collect rainwater. People often assume rainwater is only good for plants but much has changed in the past 10 years.
Fact: State, county, city and water districts have expanded the uses of rainwater to include:
• Landscaping and irrigation
• Washing vehicles and outdoor equipment
• Cleaning windows
• Watering pets and livestock (when filtered)
• Indoor uses such as laundry and flushing toilets (where permitted and filtered)
Homes, farms, commercial properties, apartment houses, schools, and institutions can all benefit.
Now, rainwater can also be used for potable water. But we will not be covering using rainwater for potable use because potable water is on different level. If you use rainwater for potable water, you are essentially creating your own private water system. You become the owner of a domestic water system no different that public water systems. To insure safety you will need permits, proper treatment, testing, and monitoring. It can get very technical and add costs at the same time. We do not think it is worth the costs and especially the risks associated with using rainwater as potable water. You never know what chemicals may have leashed out of roofing tiles or what animal or vegetation waste may have flowed into your gutter system.
Myth #4: “Rain Barrels Don’t Collect Much Water”
A single rainstorm produces more water than most people realize.
Example:
A 1,000 sq. ft. roof can collect over 600 gallons of water from just 1 inch of rain.
That’s why a proper diverter is essential—so you don’t waste the water that storms provide.
The Amanzi Rainwater Diverter fills your barrels or tanks automatically without overflow. it does not require a separate overflow pipe for discharge. The excess will continue down the down spout when the storage tank is full. Then, as the water is used and the water level goes down, the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter directs the new rainwater to the storage tank. It does it without moving parts to break or a filter to clog and without having to monitor or change a diverter setting. No electricity is involved in the operations of the diverter. It just sits there and does its job. No handholding needed.
Myth #5: “Rainwater Harvesting Is Only for Rural Areas”
Not anymore. People have become more aware of the personal and environmental benefits of collecting and using rainwater. Cities and suburbs are turning to rainwater collection because:
• Water costs are rising
• Stormwater runoff fees are increasing
• Droughts are more common
• Municipalities encourage water conservation
Schools, hospitals, apartment buildings, commercial buildings, and homeowners all use rainwater collection to reduce costs and environmental impact
Myth #6: “Rainwater Systems Require Constant Maintenance”
To some extent, this is true. But if you used gutter guards, make good downspout and pipe connections, have a good screen screen or solid lid on your water tank and use the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter, You will eliminate most of the routine maintenance. Older and other diverters need cleaning and in some cases turned on and off manually with each rain event. Many have built in filters which clog easily. The filters have to be checked and then cleaned. The diverter has to be opened up for inspection. In some cases the diverter needs to be removed from the downspout for inspection or cleaning.
The Amanzi Rainwater Diverter is specifically designed to be:
✔️ Low-maintenance
✔️ Clog-free
✔️ Self-cleaning
✔️ Long-lasting with durable materials, including stainless steel hardware
For most users, the only maintenance is occasional barrel or tank cleaning—just like any water container. Most routine maintenance would involve valves, filters, apertures and other devices or obstructions encountered after the rainwater exits the water tank.
Myth #7: “Rainwater Harvesting Isn’t Legal”
Yes it is. See a later blog that goes into the legality of collecting rainwater in more depth.
Fact:
Rainwater restrictions have changed considerable in the past 10 – 15 years. Rainwater harvesting is legal in the vast majority of U.S. states and is encouraged by many local governments and water districts. A few areas have restrictions on how much you can collect or how you can use it, but outright bans rare.
Myth #8: “It’s Too Expensive to Set Up a Rainwater System”
Not true. You can start simple with a rainwater barrel, a hose or outlet and a diverter placed on an existing downspout. Most of the cost of collecting rainwater is in the tank. Except for barrels, most of the cost, 80% to 90%, is in the tank. You can start with 1 or more barrels, expand to a 200 – 500 gallon tank, then 1,000, and 5,000 or more.
The Amanzi Diverter keeps systems simple. If you start with the Amanzi Diverter you will not have to upgrade it as your system grows. You may want to add more on different downspouts, but you will not have to replace it as you would less expensive cheap diverters what will not be able to handle the larger water flow.
The Amanzi Diverter is a no-brainer for contractors, businesses, and institutions.
Myth #9: “Rainwater Isn’t Worth the Effort”
Here’s what a single season of rainwater harvesting can give you:
• Hundreds to thousands of gallons of free water
• Lower water bills
• Healthier plants (rainwater is softer than tap water)
• Reduced stormwater runoff
• Less erosion around your property
• A more sustainable home or building
Once installed, a rainwater harvesting system will have no new expenses unless you add additional feature such as a pump, distribution pipes and filters. The effort is minimal, but the return is huge and it keeps giving you a return for many years after installation.
Why the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter Should Be Your First Choice
The biggest barrier to rainwater harvesting is old myths—not reality.
The Amanzi Rainwater Diverter helps eliminate some of those barriers with:
✔️ Clean, effortless water collection
✔️ Simple installation
✔️ Low maintenance
✔️ Durability and long-term performance
✔️ Designed for houses, apartment buildings, contractors, schools, and commercial properties
If you want a dependable, safe, and efficient way to start collecting rainwater, the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter is an easy place to start.
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