Several rainwater harvesting sites in North Carolina were monitored to establish usage criteria and evaluate system performance. At each site, a manual and tipping bucket rain gauge recorded rainfall to calculate potential water inputs to the cistern. A stage monitor recorded the water height within the cistern to determine actual inputs and outputs. Monitoring results showed that the rainwater supply was plentiful and the systems were generally underutilized. These finding illustrate the importance of education and diligence in using harvested rainwater to achieve maximum benefits.

Cistern Locations:

Craven Co.

There are two cisterns installed at the Craven County Agricultural Building. These cisterns are used primarily to water gardens planted around the building.

Kinston

The cistern installed at the Kinston Public Service Complex is connected with a pump system and is used to wash garbage trucks and other city vehicles.

Raleigh

This cistern is located at the Prairie Ridge education facility for the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and is used to flush toilets within the facility.

Holden Beach

While Holden Beach was in the process of installing a sewer system, research was conducted to determine the feasibility of using existing septic tanks as water harvesting cisterns. In this picture an unused septic tank was attached to a home's gutter system and is used to water gardens.