I just had a metal building installed and the first quote I got to get water to it was astronomical. I'm considering a rainwater harvesting system as an alternative, but I'm having trouble finding an installer in my area. I assume a gutter guy and a plumber could get me set up, but I'd rather go with someone who specializes in the whole operation.

Anyone have one of these put in or know of a company that does it? I'm located just south of Burleson.

Honestly, you're going to spend a bunch either way, and rainwater can naturally be fickle. It's not just capture you need to worry about, but filtering and sanitation as well. You will have to do periodic cleaning and maintenance to keep the system up that you won't with running water.

If you're trying to get water from a street main, just rent a ditchwitch and lay some PVC. My FIL just did this at their soon to be retirement place and ran 500' over 2-3 days with my BIL.

If you're looking at a well, maybe get another quote. If there's no municipal water close by, it may be a lot better than trying to do rainwater.

I agree with ABatt above but we don't know the demands yet
re: https://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/
Most of the services offered that passed over my desk were based in the Hill Country.

The above should be a dialogue that explores your needs and their limitations.

The DIY barrel/gutter residential methods for gardening only in Aggieland fall short of storage if below 1000g, as reported thus far but that is same as a buried septic tank(s) genesis system.

City cisterns were a water storage solution in the past and some historic buildings were designed with gutter to Dry Wells (used both for drainage and collection/storage).

Thank you guys. I'm not worried about water supply as the usage will be very low, and I figure I can get water delivered if necessary. Filtration/maintenance was my main concern and sounds like it's a valid one.

The main thing driving up the cost is I need about 250' of trenching, so I'll definitely look into renting a ditch witch. I would love a well, but I've been told I'm in a spot where you'd have to drill 650'+.

Thanks again for the advice.

A-OK
Now comes the mech.eng calculations by others that will result in a larger diameter supply pipe size than SOP short curb to house distances in city.

Great info. Thank you.

Was coming to post the same. I don't have first hand experience, but even 10ish years ago rain water was the easy choice for some friends that built in Driftwood vs. well. They have no direct tree cover for their farmhouse style house with expansive metal roofing and have only had to truck in water 1 time other than the initial fill.

I'm pretty sure they used Holden out of Bulverde.

Are you trying to get potable water? I have a rainwater collection on my barn that I put in myself and it was very straightforward. I have a small pressure pump attached to it but I just use mine to wash off equipment and when cleaning deer. There are no trees directly over my barn so debris is minimal. Besides a small sediment filter I don't do anything to the water. I'm sure it would be easy enough to make the water potable but there is no need the way I use mine.

I have a backflushing sediment filter on my water system. It is similar to the water softener in that it backflushes itself and is self cleaning. I also have a sizable UV light since I am on a well with an in ground cistern that is not sealed to the elements. Aside from annual replacement of the UV bulbs to the tune of $170, and the cleaning of the sleeve to ensure efficacy of the bulb, and salt replenishment, the system is largely maintenance free. With rainwater collection, you obviously will not require a softener as I do for hill country well water.