Lawn Irrigation with Harvested Rainwater in Wisconsin

Using harvested rainwater for lawn irrigation in Wisconsin is a practical way to reduce your water bill and conserve municipal supplies. With 33.2 inches of average annual rainfall, a 1,500-square-foot asphalt shingle roof in Wisconsin can collect approximately 24,221 gal per year. lawn irrigation requires roughly 75 gallons per day, during the growing season (April through October). With this setup, rainwater can meet approximately 100.0% of your lawn irrigation needs, saving an estimated $80.25 per year.

Annual Harvest 24,221 gal 1,500 sq ft roof
Annual Demand 16,050 gal lawn irrigation
Demand Met 100.0% of lawn irrigation
Rec. Tank 2,500 gal storage capacity

Monthly Supply vs. Demand for Lawn Irrigation in Wisconsin

The table below shows how your monthly rainwater harvest compares to lawn irrigation demand throughout the year. Green values indicate months where your harvest exceeds demand (surplus water for tank storage), while red values show months where you will draw down your stored reserves. Since lawn irrigation is a seasonal activity, demand is zero from November through March, allowing you to build up tank reserves during the off-season.

Month Harvest (gal) Demand (gal) Balance
January 897 0 +897
February 897 0 +897
March 1,495 0 +1,495
April 2,243 2,250 -7
May 2,691 2,325 +366
June 2,990 2,250 +740
July 2,841 2,325 +516
August 2,691 2,325 +366
September 2,542 2,250 +292
October 1,944 2,325 -381
November 1,794 0 +1,794
December 1,196 0 +1,196

Harvest by Roof Size for Lawn Irrigation

A larger roof collection area directly increases your harvest and the percentage of lawn irrigation demand you can meet with rainwater. The table below shows how different roof sizes perform in Wisconsin for lawn irrigation.

Roof Area Annual Harvest Demand Met Rec. Tank Savings/Year
1,000 sq ft 16,148 gal 100.0% 1,500 gal $80.25
1,500 sq ft 24,221 gal 100.0% 2,500 gal $80.25
2,000 sq ft 32,295 gal 100.0% 2,500 gal $80.25
2,500 sq ft 40,371 gal 100.0% 5,000 gal $80.25

Setting Up Rainwater Harvesting for Lawn Irrigation in Wisconsin

Lawn irrigation is the most water-intensive residential use, and harvesting rainwater for this purpose in Wisconsin can dramatically reduce your municipal water consumption. For effective lawn watering, you need a pump-and-pressure-tank system capable of running sprinklers — gravity-fed systems do not provide sufficient pressure. A 1,000-2,500 gallon tank is recommended, connected to your existing sprinkler system through a transfer pump. Many homeowners install a dual-source controller that draws from the rainwater tank first and automatically switches to municipal supply when the tank runs low. Consider reducing your lawn area or switching to drought-tolerant grasses to decrease water demand. In Wisconsin, cool-season grasses go dormant in summer heat and may not need irrigation during the hottest months.

Metal Roof Upgrade: Lawn Irrigation in Wisconsin

Upgrading to a metal roof increases your collection efficiency from 80% (asphalt shingle) to 95%, boosting your annual harvest to 28,763 gal from a 1,500-square-foot roof. This increases your lawn irrigation demand coverage to 100.0% and raises annual savings to $80.25. Metal roofs also last 40-70 years compared to 20-30 years for asphalt shingle, and their smooth surface sheds debris more effectively, reducing maintenance on your collection system and improving water quality.

Other Uses for Rainwater in Wisconsin

Explore how harvested rainwater can serve other needs in Wisconsin:

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