Rainwater harvesting has become one of the smartest, most practical ways for property owners, contractors, and institutions to cut water costs, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve long-term sustainability. Although the concept may sound technical, it is actually very simple — collect clean water from your roof and store it for later use. With modern tools like the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter, rainwater harvesting is easier, cleaner, and more reliable than ever before, even for large commercial and institutional applications.
What Is Rainwater Harvesting?
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting and storing rainwater from rooftops or other approved surfaces so the water can be reused later. The most common — and usually the only legally approved — source for harvesting is a roof.
Roofs are the standard collection surface.
Most jurisdictions specifically restrict rainwater collection to roofs because the water is cleaner and far easier to manage.
Ground surfaces are usually prohibited.
Runoff from streets, soil, and driveways often contains oils, chemicals, animal waste, and debris. This contaminated water can clog filters, valves, and diverters, making it unsuitable for most rainwater systems.
Where the Water Goes
Collected rainwater is typically directed through gutters and downspouts into one of several storage options:
Rain barrels
Residential or commercial water tanks
Cisterns or ponds
Above-ground or underground storage devices.
No matter the storage method, the key is clean, reliable transfer from downspout to tank, which is exactly what the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter was engineered to do.
 
Common Uses for Rainwater
Rainwater is most commonly used for non-potable purposes, both outdoors and indoors.
Outdoor Uses
Garden and landscape irrigation
Watering lawns and shrubs
Car washing
Driveway and sidewalk washing
Indoor Uses (Non-Potable)
Flushing toilets
Washing clothes (in some regions)
Important Note About Potable Use
While rainwater can be filtered and treated to drinking-water standards, it requires a high level of monitoring, testing, and maintenance. The Amanzi blog does not promote potable use because:
Roofs may leach chemicals
Animal droppings can contaminate water
Potable systems have strict safety and testing requirements
A home potable setup essentially becomes a private water utility
Most property owners are not equipped to monitor drinking-water quality
For safety, rainwater collected for potable use should only be consumed if a certified system is installed and regularly tested.
 
Why Rainwater Harvesting Matters
Freshwater supplies are becoming increasingly strained due to:
Population growth
Climate change
Seasonal droughts
Pollution
Rising demand on municipal systems
Rainwater harvesting plays a critical role in modern water management because it:
Reduces dependency on groundwater and city water
Helps communities buffer against water shortages
Lowers stress on stormwater systems
Reduces flooding and soil erosion
Conserves energy and chemicals used in municipal treatment plants
 
Environmental & Household Benefits
Rainwater harvesting provides measurable benefits for homes, commercial buildings, and institutions:
Reduces stormwater runoff and soil erosion
Relieves pressure on municipal infrastructure
Decreases flooding by slowing water flow
Provides a renewable water source for landscape and cleaning tasks
Lowers water bills reducing use from local domestic water systems
 
Types of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
Simple Systems
Rain barrels are easy to use and install and are very inexpensive. 
Most diverters on the market were designed by hobbyist for rain barrels.  Thus, the diverters are not designed for heavier water flow.  They often back up and over-flow during heavy rains.   Some don’t provide good connections causing leakage after installation.   They often have internal filters or designs that easily plug with leaves and other debris.  They back up and plug easily.  They are not very durable over time.  They are usually constructed of lighter weight plastics and crack or break.  Not all have standard installation dimensions requiring customization or using proprietary components   Some are difficult to install and maintain.  A big shortcoming for smaller system is that they store so little water as to be almost useless except as a hobby.
 
Intermediate Systems
Larger storage tanks from hundreds of gallons to thousands of gallons with basic filtration for:
Irrigation and other outside uses
Toilet flushing
Laundry
Advanced Systems
Commercial-grade, integrated setups with:
Multi-stage filtration
One or more pressure pumps
Electronic monitors and sensors
High-volume storage tanks
These systems are typically used by:
Apartment buildings
Commercial centers
Schools and colleges
Hospitals
Institutional facilities
Contractors and property developers
 Where the Amanzi Rainwater Diverter Fits In
Most diverters sold today were designed for hobbyists using small backyard barrels. They clog easily, break down under pressure, or cannot handle the volume required for large tanks.
The Amanzi Rainwater Diverter was engineered differently:
It was not designed in a garage by a hobbyist.  It was designed by licensed American engineers followed by prototyping, testing and refinements.   All reviews of existing diverters on the market were read and studied.  The engineers addressed every complaint found.
Designed specifically for large-capacity storage tanks (although it can be used for rain barrels, residential and smaller systems).
Commercial-grade durability
Heavy-duty construction built to last decades
Low-maintenance no callbacks with proper gutter guards
Easy installation for contractors and building professionals
Reliable performance for high-volume buildings
Manufactured in the USA by a reputable USA manufacturer
It is the only diverter on the market built from the start for commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential rainwater harvesting systems.
In Closing
Rainwater harvesting is one of the simplest, most effective ways to conserve water and lower utility costs — and it doesn’t require complex engineering. With the right equipment, especially a reliable downspout diverter, any property can turn free rainwater into a sustainable resource.
The Amanzi Rainwater Diverter makes this process easier, cleaner, and more dependable for contractors, commercial property owners, apartment builders, schools, and institutions. Whether your project needs a basic system or a full-scale water-management solution, the Amanzi diverters deliver the durability, reliability, and low-maintenance performance required for long-term success.