A rainwater collection system is a useful and exciting addition to a garden or patio. Water conservation, especially in light of last year’s drought, should be at the top of the list when considering improvements to the outside of your home. It’s also a fun project, as each one has to be designed to fit the available space, circumstances, and requirements of the homeowner. I like to design systems that rely on gravity for flow, as using a pump seems to defeat the purpose of rain water collection, which is inherently “green” and eco-friendly.