Opinion: Follow Germany example of rainwater collection

YOUR editorial in the Southern Gazette (November 8) refers.

You pointed out that Australia is the driest continent on earth. Why then can’t more householders here collect rainwater to be used in the garden like I have seen it done in Germany – in every private household when I visited there recently.

The water is collected in a drum which is placed under an outside downpipe and used to water their vegetables in dry spells in summer.

Germany has much more rain than Australia, but they still collect that water, which is free of charge.

It may not be enough to keep the precious verges green but it makes a lot of sense and every little bit helps.

Also, almost every house there has solar panels on the roof. It seems much of what nature has to offer is being utilized to help keep household costs down.

ANNA MARIOTTI,

Rivervale.