Rain Catchment 

Water catchment can help reduce your water bill, water your garden, and help the environment. You can catch water in a tank or barrel, or reduce the runoff from your property and replenish the groundwater by slowing down the rain. In general, you either want to store the rain water for later use or to put it back into the aquifer. Remember to slow it, sink it, spread it to get it back into the aquafer and avoid runoff. 

Here are several ways you can do it:

Installing a rain barrel is fairly straightforward.

• Evaluate your roof to find the downspout that gets water from the most roof surface area.
• Cut the downspout, and attach an adapter. (you can purchase an adapter at your hardware store). **Measure first!**
• Install the rain barrel. Make sure to attach it to the wall of your house. Also make sure it's on a raised surface. About 12 - 15” off the ground is a good height. It's also good to buy a top for your rain barrel to prevent debris from falling in.
• Do a test run. Use a hose to run some water through, and see if there are any problems.
• Rain barrels fill very fast in a storm. It may be a good idea to daisy chain multiple together.

A great resource is TreePeople. Here is their rain barrel installation guide.

Rain Chains are a great (and beautiful) way to slow down rain water on it's way down to the ground. Rain chains range in designs, from simple chains to very complicated contraptions.

Learn how to install a rain chain from Tree People