With our continued high temperatures and drought like conditions we have here in Texas, have you ever considered catching the rain that we do get to use for your foundation and plants during those hot times? If you currently have a gutter system on your house, there are simple attachments that will divert the water into a catchment basin, such as a 55 gallon drum, trashcan, or other containers sold at local big box stores. One point of concern would be to make sure that the entry point for the water is screened to keep away the mosquitos from using it as a place for their eggs.
A simple hose spicket attached at the bottom will allow you to attach a hose for watering plants or filling weathering cans. Personally, I hooked up a soaker hose, we all know how important it is to keep the area near the house watered and the foundations safe.
If diverting water from a shingles roof make sure to never use that to water any food you are growing. There are chemicals from a standard shingles roof that can be absorbed by the plants and eventually into you when eaten. For decorative plants and flowers it is fine.
