Rainwater is the only thing you want in your Rain Harvesting system. Animals, insects, sunlight, stormwater and groundwater, on the other hand, should all be kept out.
These unwelcome intruders can pose a threat to your rainwater quality as they can contaminate your rainwater supply and exacerbate harmful hidden activity in your tanks and pipes. By securing entry and exit points around your Rain Harvesting system, you can keep these unwelcome intruders out. This Rain Harvesting step helps to preserve the quality of your rainwater so you can enjoy all the benefits that come from cleaner rainwater and lots of it.
In particular, we recommend doing all you can to account for:
Vegetation 
Unwelcome Intruders
Secure entry & exit points
Every inlet, outlet or other opening on your Rain Harvesting system provides an opportunity for unwelcome intruders to get in. It’s critical to secure these entry and exit points to protect the water you harvest.
When designing your system, you should also consider and secure your water against the potential for stormwater flooding and contamination from nearby septic tanks. This may influence decisions about your tank’s location and whether it’s above or belowground.
Find out more about applying the 8 Rain Harvesting Steps
