Catching rain water for use in specific areas
While Toronto is a big city, once this idea catches on it could be used throughout the city; perhaps with government grants for homeowners, et al..  Installing vertical catch basins would divert a lot of the runoff we have seen recently and stop some of the flooding which has been wreaking havoc and then, literally, going down the drain. This recovered water could be put to good use elsewhere, initially, at somewhere like Centre Island in Toronto. Once taps are installed at the bottom, workers could then "tap in" and run this water to the sprinkler systems used, doing away with needlessly using "treated water" for something as simple as watering flowers and grass; it could also be used to water and wash all the animals at the Island Farm. Having these catch basins would mean there would be a lesser draw on the water treatment facilities, which in turn means less chemicals used and thus provides a healthier environment for everyone. The catch basins could easily be installed, from top to bottom, at the rear of each house and every building on the island. A tap could then be installed at the bottom of each one, along with a connection for a hose. It could also aide the fire department should ever the need arise. In the future, if building new houses, or renovating older places, it could be incorporated into the indoor plumbing and used for such things as toilets and showers (thus also eliminating the need for water softeners). (Personally, I find rain water softens my hair and I use much less shampoo and thus again, less chemicals). using rain water for these purposes would again cut down on the use of "purified" water and the chemicals needed. As well as the catch basins themselves (which could be an eyesore), a fast-growing tree could be planted to make it more palatable. Since the trees being planted would create more oxygen, it would definitely be healthier, yet again. All homes and buildings already have downspouts to divert the water and so the amount of money needed would purely be in the manufacture of the vertical catch basins themselves, a connector for the catch basin and the cost of the tree (and related labour, of course). I believe these vertical catch basins would catch on right across this city and country and make it healthier for everyone, everywhere. As someone with chronic lung disease, I know all to well reducing the amount of chemicals anywhere is a good thing. It can't be done soon enough!