It is nothing fancy, but Cindy Martin, spokeswoman for Boca Raton utilities, keeps track of rain right outside her window.She does more than just watch drops form on her sill — she collects them ...

Bannin: Jason, you mentioned the old fashioned rain gauges can be the most accurate. What does one look like? Runyen: Yeah, so I have one with me. Here is our four inch rain gauge. The four inches ...

Do not discount the values of a good, old fashioned rain gauge, which can be purchased at most hardware stores for $3 and up. The cheap cost is a huge advantage. The biggest disadvantage ...

Aboveground cisterns and rain barrels are becoming popular, but neither can hold as much water as an old-fashioned underground cistern. Backyard cisterns have other potential uses in today's world.