Newsom Launches Rainwater Harvesting Initiative

Environment & The Green Beat SAN FRANCISCO (BCN) ― When it rains, it pours. At least that's what students at one San Francisco elementary school are hoping now that they have the opportunity to put that water to good use. At a news conference Thursday, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom introduced a new Rainwater Harvesting Initiative at Cesar Chavez Elementary School that will help the school collect rainwater for non-drinking purposes such as toilet use and outdoor irrigation. Four 60-gallon barrels placed in a row will collect rain from the roof of a school building. The rainwater is then used to irrigate the students' frontyard garden and makeshift garden on the playground, and for other non-potable functions. "It's an opportunity to literally harvest Mother Nature," Newsom said. Joined by Ed Harrington, general manager at... [read full story]