AquaReale — Philadelphia pond contractors and water feature specialists
    Sustainable Water

    Rainwater Harvesting Systems

    Capture rainwater to power beautiful water features, reduce runoff, and lower your water bills. Certified RainXchange™ installers serving Greater Philadelphia.

    Get an EstimateLearn About Stormwater

    How Rainwater Harvesting Works

    1

    Capture

    Rainwater is collected from your roof, hardscaping, or property surfaces and directed through downspouts into the harvesting system.

    2

    Filter & Store

    Water passes through filtration to remove debris, then is stored in an underground reservoir (Aquascape RainXchange™ system or custom cistern).

    3

    Power Your Water Feature

    The stored rainwater feeds your disappearing waterfall, fountain, or pond — creating a beautiful, self-sustaining water feature.

    4

    Overflow & Recharge

    Excess water overflows into the ground, recharging the water table rather than running off into storm drains.

    Why Harvest Rainwater?

    Sustainable Water Use

    A 1,000 sq ft roof captures ~600 gallons per inch of rain. In Philadelphia (46" annually), that's 27,000+ gallons per year.

    Lower Water Bills

    Stop using treated municipal water to fill your pond or water feature. Rainwater is free and better for aquatic ecosystems.

    Reduce Stormwater Runoff

    Capture water that would otherwise contribute to flooding, erosion, and combined sewer overflows — a major issue in Philadelphia.

    Municipal Compliance

    Many PA and NJ municipalities offer stormwater credits or require on-site stormwater management. Rainwater harvesting can help meet these requirements.

    Better for Plants & Fish

    Rainwater is naturally soft and free of chlorine, chloramine, and municipal additives. Fish and plants thrive on it.

    Increase Property Value

    Green infrastructure features like rainwater harvesting are increasingly valued by environmentally conscious home buyers.

    System Options

    RainXchange™ System

    Aquascape's integrated system that combines rainwater harvesting with a disappearing waterfall. The underground reservoir stores rainwater that powers a beautiful recirculating waterfall.

    $8,000–$18,000

    Cistern + Water Feature

    Standalone cistern (above or below ground) connected to your existing or new water feature. Scalable from 500 to 5,000+ gallons.

    $5,000–$15,000

    Rain Garden Integration

    Combine rainwater harvesting with a planted rain garden for maximum stormwater management and natural beauty.

    $4,000–$12,000

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Systems range from $4,000 for a basic rain garden integration to $18,000+ for a full RainXchange system with disappearing waterfall. The size of your collection area and desired water feature determine the final cost.

    Pennsylvania allows rainwater harvesting for residential use. Some municipalities may require a permit if you're connecting to plumbing or modifying your drainage. We handle all permit research and applications.

    A general rule: 1 inch of rain on 1,000 sq ft of roof = ~600 gallons. Philadelphia averages 46 inches of rainfall per year, so a typical home can collect 20,000–30,000 gallons annually.

    The collection system is inactive during freezing months. We winterize the system in fall and restart it in spring. The underground reservoir protects stored water from freezing.

    Absolutely! Rainwater is excellent for gardens — it's naturally soft and free of chlorine. Many systems include a garden hose connection for dual use.

    Many Philadelphia-area municipalities require new construction and major renovations to manage stormwater on-site. Rainwater harvesting directly reduces your property's stormwater impact and may qualify for credits or fee reductions.

    Related Services

    Stormwater Management

    Complete drainage and runoff solutions

    Stormwater Ponds

    Retention ponds that double as features

    Disappearing Waterfalls

    Disappearing Waterfalls powered by rainwater

    People Also Ask

    How does rainwater harvesting work with stormwater requirements?

    Rainwater systems can help meet municipal stormwater management requirements while providing a free water source.

    Stormwater solutions

    Can I use harvested rainwater for a pond?

    Yes! RainXchange™ systems can power disappearing waterfalls and recirculating water features using captured rainwater.

    View waterfall options

    What's the ROI on rainwater harvesting?

    Most systems pay for themselves in 5-8 years through reduced water bills and potential stormwater credits.

    View all pricing

    Harvest the Rain, Enjoy the Beauty

    Free consultations for Greater Philadelphia homeowners

    Request ConsultationCall 215-880-6811