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Nice article. Well written. I happened to notice it because I'm also one who advocates strongly to this (local administration encourages this method as there is water scarcity looming large esp during summer months). Hope you will find my article interesting too, if you haven't seen it before. Only last week I modified my filters and bought (see pic) a set consisting of the 'first flush' and the main sand filter, both in 12 gal. cans. I've connected it to our main sump where the water supply is also connected. I turn off the valve during the rainy season so that there is ample space for rainwater. We pump up this water into an overhead tank from where we use for all our needs. For our locality, good drinking water is supplied from the river bed (Cauvery - we are lucky that way) and so we find no need to use this water for drinking though it is potable after proper sterilization which some people do. We collect every day from the tap for drinking purposes presently. Supply is not yet hit by the scarcity.

Great article and explanation of your system. I hope one day to have a larger tank. I have enjoyed following your posts on DG about your plumerias and keepsakes from your childhood, among other postings! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

Thanks Bubbles. In the picture you see only the filters. The main sump below them is about 6000 litres - which is more than about 1200 gallons if I am right.

If I had that much rainwater, I'd be smiling!

I just have 3 little 50 gallon barrels, but was interested in your solution to mosquitos. You put some cooking oil in?

Yes, just a tiny bit to make a skin on top of the water. Seems to work...mosquitoes haven't been a problem around the tank. I know of someone who put a few mosquito fish in his tank to eat the larvae, but I couldn't do that...