Using rainwater in the garden: Advantages for Swiss families
Summer in Switzerland is becoming noticeably drier, while water and wastewater charges are rising at the same time. Watering a garden as a family quickly leads to higher consumption levels - especially with a lawn, vegetable patches and children who like to play with water. Using rainwater in the garden in a targeted manner is not only good for the family budget, but also for the environment and relieves the burden on the sewage system during heavy rainfall. In this guide, you will find out which solutions are suitable for typical Swiss family gardens, what you should look out for in terms of planning, safety and maintenance and when the investment really pays off.
Table of contents ▼
- Why use rainwater in the garden?
- Which solutions are suitable for typical family gardens?
- Planning and legal points in Switzerland
- Decision-making aid: Which system makes sense?
- Common mistakes in rainwater harvesting
- Conclusion: How Swiss families take a pragmatic approach
- Frequently asked questions about rainwater in the garden
- Using rainwater in the garden significantly reduces drinking water consumption and provides soft water that plants can tolerate better.
- For most families, one or two cleverly placed rainwater barrels are enough to get started - larger cisterns are only worthwhile for higher consumption.
- A clean inlet, safe overflow and frost-proof installation are important - otherwise there is a risk of damage and trouble with the local authority.
- Before making major investments, you should systematically check the roof area, garden requirements, budget and local regulations.
Why use rainwater in the garden?
Using rainwater in the garden has three main advantages for Swiss families: It saves on drinking water charges, provides plants with soft water and relieves drainage systems during heavy rainfall. Especially in municipalities with higher water and wastewater prices, watering lawns, flower beds and play areas quickly adds up. Rainwater is also low in limescale - watering cans, drip hoses and sprinklers calcify less, and plants such as hydrangeas, blueberries and rhododendrons thank the lower pH value with healthy growth. In addition, some of the precipitation remains in your own garden instead of running off directly into the sewage system.
There is another practical aspect for families with children: With a rainwater system, there is enough water available for paddling pools, water fights or cleaning bicycles, even on hot days, without you having to think about the water bill every time. If sized sensibly, a simple system can bridge several weeks of low rainfall and thus cover a significant part of your summer irrigation needs.
Which solutions are suitable for typical family gardens?
Three systems are particularly suitable for typical Swiss family gardens: simple rain barrels on the downpipe, slim wall or design tanks for small spaces and underground cisterns for higher water requirements. Rain barrels between 200 and 500 liters are quick to install, inexpensive and do not require a building permit as long as certain volume limits and distances are observed. Wall-mounted tanks use narrow niches along the façade and hardly disturb children at play. Underground storage tanks are worthwhile if larger lawns, fruit trees or a vegetable garden are to be supplied regularly and the system should remain as invisible as possible.
1. classic rain barrel on the downpipe
Most families start with one or more rain barrels that are connected directly to a roof downpipe. Advantage: Installation is simple, a rainwater collector in the pipe and a robust base are often sufficient. A barrel with 300-500 liters can easily be placed against a garden shed or house wall and already covers many watering can fillings. Make sure that the overflow is directed back into the downpipe or into an infiltration trough so that no water runs towards the house foundation during heavy rainfall.
2. slim wall tanks and space-saving solutions
In smaller gardens, terraced house situations or in heavily used play areas, slim wall tanks and decorative storage tanks have proven their worth. They stand close to the façade, leave passages free and can disappear visually behind planting, a privacy screen or a wooden shelter. For families who want to store garden furniture, play equipment or garden tools out of the weather anyway, a rainwater tank can be easily integrated into a covered area without taking up additional space.
Always plan wall-mounted tanks where you can use them conveniently in everyday life: within easy reach of the vegetable patch, flower beds or play area. A short hose connection or a small barrel pump will save you a lot of lugging around with a watering can in the long run - especially if children want to help.
Especially if you have several small tanks, it is worth connecting them at the same level with hose connectors. This way, they automatically fill up together and offer you more volume without you having to check how much water is left in many places.
3. underground rainwater cistern
Underground cisterns with a volume of around 3,000 to 5,000 liters are the most convenient, but also the most expensive solution. They are suitable for families with larger gardens, intensive irrigation or the desire to also regularly clean the patio, car or play equipment. The tank disappears invisibly into the ground, leaving space above for the lawn or play area. A pump supplies pressure to hose connections or automatic irrigation systems. Careful planning with a specialist company is worthwhile here, as earthworks, frost depth, distance to buildings and pipes as well as any permits must be properly clarified.
- Small area, little irrigation → 1-2 rain barrels on the largest roof downpipe
- Narrow terraced house garden → Space-saving wall-mounted tanks along the façade
- Large lawn and vegetable patch → Several linked barrels or compact cistern
- High comfort requirement (hose, sprinkler) → System with pump and fixed pipes
Who If you need additional storage space or weather protection, rainwater storage tanks can be cleverly combined with covered structures, for example by placing tanks at the side or rear of a wooden shelter and visually integrating them with cladding or planting.
Planning and legal points in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the simple collection of rainwater in the garden is generally permitted. However, the volume, type of installation and drainage are decisive factors: small rain barrels and above-ground tanks generally do not require a building permit as long as they are stable, safe and have no negative impact on neighbors or buildings. For underground cisterns, larger storage tanks or interventions in drainage and infiltration, many municipalities require registration or a planning application. Therefore, always check with the building or drainage department of your municipality before making any major investments.
How the overflow is managed is also important. Ideally, excess water should seep away on your own property, for example in a trough or soakaway. Direct connection to the sewer system is only permitted within the framework of the relevant drainage regulations and may incur additional charges. If you also want to use rainwater in the house (toilet, washing machine), strict separation regulations between drinking water and rainwater pipes must be observed - a specialist plumbing company should be consulted.
Never connect rainwater and drinking water pipes on your own. Backflow into the drinking water network is strictly prohibited in Switzerland for hygiene reasons. For systems with a house connection, tested system separators and professional installation are mandatory - if in doubt, always consult a plumbing company.
In addition to the legal requirements, statics also play a role: large above-ground tanks can quickly weigh several hundred kilograms. They should therefore be placed on stable, preferably level foundations such as concrete slabs or compacted gravel - not on wooden terraces, the tops of walls or loose garden soil.
Decision-making aid: Which system makes sense?
Whether a simple rain barrel or an elaborate cistern is worthwhile depends on water requirements, roof area, available space and budget. For most Swiss families, a staggered approach makes sense: start with one or two rain barrels, test consumption and convenience and only invest in larger systems if the water requirement is permanently high and the budget is well balanced. If, on the other hand, you are already watering a large ornamental or kitchen garden and are planning an upcoming garden design, you can consider a cistern from the outset and combine earthworks.
Think about which areas are watered regularly (lawn, beds, hedges) and how often this happens on dry summer days. A few weeks of observation during the summer will quickly give you a realistic idea of your requirements.
Measure or estimate the roof area from which you want to collect rainwater and identify suitable downpipes. The larger the connected area, the faster your storage tanks will fill up.
Check where the storage tank is safe to stand or buried without blocking paths or reducing play areas. Plan short distances between the storage tank and the areas you water most frequently.
Define a realistic starting budget and consider whether additional storage tanks should be connected later or a pump retrofitted. This will help you avoid bad investments and allow you to expand if necessary.
If you also attach importance to a tidy appearance and well-protected garden tools when choosing a system, a combination of rainwater storage tank and covered garden modules can be useful, for example by storing play equipment and watering accessories together in a weather-protected area.
Common mistakes in rainwater harvesting
Many problems with rainwater systems in the garden are caused by avoidable planning or maintenance errors. Typical examples are incorrectly dimensioned storage tanks, poorly routed overflows, inadequately cleaned filters or unsecured barrels where children play. If you take these points into account from the outset, you will save yourself trouble, repairs and, in the worst case, moisture damage to the house.
Too small or too large a storage tank
Too small a storage tank is quickly empty in dry periods, whereas an oversized tank remains only partially filled for a long time and can tip over more quickly or develop odors if the flow is poor. For many families, 300-1,000 liters per connected downpipe is a good starting value. Observe for one or two seasons whether you have frequent overflows or empty tanks and adjust the volume if necessary.
Incorrect location and unclean overflow
Storage tanks directly on house walls without a controlled overflow can push water into the cellar or foundation during heavy rainfall. Place barrels in such a way that overflow water is directed away from the building, for example into an infiltration trough in the garden. Also make sure there is shade - water heats up a lot in the sun and algae and biofilm form more quickly.
Safety aspects for children
Safety is crucial in family gardens: openings of barrels and tanks must be childproofed and sturdy lids are mandatory. Loose boards or improvised covers are not a solution. Pumps, sockets and hoses should be installed in such a way that children cannot trip over them or pull on them. Regularly check that everything is still firmly screwed down and tight.
Maintenance neglected
Even simple systems need some care: filters catch leaves and dirt and should be cleaned several times a season, at the latest in the fall. Before winter, it makes sense to partially or completely empty above-ground storage tanks to prevent frost damage. Pumps and hoses should be protected from heavy frost or drained to prevent cracks.
Conclusion: This is how Swiss families take a pragmatic approach
Start with a simple, easily accessible rainwater barrel on the largest roof downpipe and observe how much you use it over the course of a gardening season. If it turns out that you regularly water, sprinkle the lawn or need a lot of water for playing with children, expand step by step - for example with additional tanks, a small pump or a space-saving wall tank. For larger projects, clarify the requirements of your local authority at an early stage and plan overflow, foundations and safety consistently. This way, your rainwater solution will grow with your family - sustainably, financially and suitable for everyday use manageable.