Water is life. Without it we die. Our bodies are made up of nearly 90% of it. Our plants need it, our animals need it, and our local environment needs it. Yet we allow the majority of our rainwater to run off our property, into the drain, and out to the Ocean, causing droughts and missing the chance to capture it within our environment for the production of food. Our home plumbing wastes large amounts of water by pumping out what we could easily reuse. However, there are solutions, and there are people around the world currently implementing them.
The following is a collection of videos and resources to help educate people on the various techniques of water collection and reuse, and to show how to make use out of them. From very simple systems that can catch rainwater in the landscape, or capture hundreds of gallons from roof-top run-off, to elaborate plumbing systems that reuse waste water to fully irrigate massive gardens, these examples of Rainwater Harvesting and Graywater Systems should give the newcomer a strong grasp at their options.
The Basics of Rainwater Harvesting
First let’s start with the basic concepts of rainwater harvesting. In this video Brad Lancaster covers how rainwater is lost, and some simple approaches on how to capture it:
For More on Rainwater Harvesting Visit: harvesth2o.com
Capturing Rainwater in Landscape
One of the basic concepts for capturing rainwater through landscape is the use of “swales.” A swale is a ditch dug on contour, using gravity to collect rainwater from hill run-off, and allowing it to slowly saturate into the soil.
In this video, Permaculture pioneer Geoff Lawton describes how swales help capture precious rainwater runoff:
Capturing Rainwater from Roof-top Run-off
On an average rainy day hundreds of gallons of water runs off the average household roof-top. By building even a simple collection system, water can be saved and reused in the garden and surrounding landscape. Some systems can even filter and return this water to the home for household needs.
In this video a native Texan shows a very simple greenhouse rooftop run-off system:
In this video, a more elaborate rooftop run-off system is shown:
Reusing Wasted Water Through Graywater Systems
Another way of conserving water is to reuse wasted “graywater” from everyday household needs. Depending on your states laws, graywater can be reused from your shower, sink, washing machine, or dishwasher. Using natural filtration techniques, and plumbing systems that make use of gravity, this water can then be redistributed to your garden and surrounding landscape.
In this video Trathen Heckman goes over an elaborate and legal graywater system in Northern California:
For More on Graywater Systems Visit: oasisdesign.net
Rainwater Collection Diagram:By Adityagarwalmail (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Thumbnail Image:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rain_on_grass2.jpg#filelinks
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
I was surprised and delighted that you use an earth sheltered house as your example image for the “swale” system of capturing hillside runoff water. I am in the process of designing such a house in an “off grid” rural region so this info is exactly suited to my purpose.