Walk into the garden of Harker Heights resident Ursula Nanna and you will find tanks among her flowers and plants.

Four years ago, Nanna installed her first tank to start the rainwater harvesting process.

"I thought it was such an impossible project," she said. "And the tanks looked so immense and the fear of the pumps and all of these ancillary devices, I put it off a little bit."

Since then, more than a half dozen have sprouted up around her property. With the recent rainfall in the area, all of her tanks are filled to the brim.

"I would expect this 10,000 gallons of water to last now, well into September, even if we don't get any more rain," she said.

To save additional water, Nanna said she uses only native plants, and plants that do not require much watering in her garden.

Texas A&M's AgriLife Extension promotes and offers classes for those interested in rainwater harvesting.

Bell County Extension Agent Dirk Aaron said those interested in setting up a system need to do so soon.

"This is the time that we can help them establish rainwater harvesting, and capture these big rainfall events into their systems, so when the drought does come, boom, they're set," he said.

Aaron said these systems can help with water conservation efforts in Texas, by relying less on city water systems.

"Sixty percent of the water we use as citizens in the state of Texas is for landscape purposes, and we can no longer afford that if we double our population between now and 2024," Aaron said.

He said it also helps to save residents money in the long run, especially as cities start to alter how water is sold and delivered.

"Now it is a commodity that has value, so cities are increasing their costs to increase revenue stream for their government entity, in hopes to not have to raise taxes," he said.

Although the cost of tanks varies, Nanna said an average tank costs about $650.

"It matches its cost effectiveness, she said. “If I can save approximately $600 to $700 by using rainwater per summer, then in approximately two years, the tanks are bought and paid for."

For Nanna, however, it is about more than just saving money.

"I liked that we were using Mother Nature as a resource, and I liked that it was beneficial to the municipal systems," she said.

Aaron and Nanna both agree that rainwater harvesting only makes a difference when used in conjunction with smart water usage.

"If you embrace this technology, you have to embrace the way of life that it takes," Aaron said.