John C Daley

I have done research on the area,
- Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers.
- Mountainous inland areas are cooler and receive more rain than the coastal region.
- Average Annual Rainfall: Rethymno receives approximately 574 mm (22.6 inches)
of precipitation annually, with the majority falling between October and April.
RAINFALL COLLECTION PROCESS
With 574mm of rain a year, you need 34 sq M of roof to collect 20,000L of water.
[ 20,000 / 574 = 34 ]
Somebody who has water supplied with a meter can tell us how much a garden uses, I dont know.
But in Bendigo I use about40,000L for myself. per annum. Average family in Victoria uses about 175,000L of water annually.
From https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/drought-support/tools-and-calculators/farm-water-calculator/garden-use
they list the volumes of water used for garden etc for different rainfall areas.
I notice homes for sale on Crete, promote the fact they have water storage tanks installed.
Here is a Greek company that makes tanks, listing size and cost.
https://plastikon.gr/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PLASTIKON-BROCHURE.pdf

Perhaps look at this site!
https://freesaloneducation.com/collections/all-scissors

I think all the opinions are worth consideration.
I would add;
- Do you want to sell at the farm gate?
- A flood zone may have better quality soil, but you dont want a structure swept away
- water is always #1, but if you can capture rainfall it will be easier.
- Power can come from solar panels etc and may be better value than posts and wires nearby.
- Area of land you require may create different needs.
- slopes can be used to you advantage, moving water, flood protection.
- Soil quality is very important, its hard to improve from rubbish soil.

Rick, so have you had success?

2026 update on comments and information.
When I speak of underground or in basement water tanks I am thinking of a traditional steel or plastic tanks, moved into the space during construction.
NOT BRICK CISTERNS. Leaks etc will not be an issue with purpose built tanks.
Asphalt roofs may be covered with a 2nd metal roof, with spacers to eliminate the contaminated runoff from them.
Thus making it possible to catch rainwater.
I hear the issue with gutters being ripped off with ice, in Australia there is a system to drop the gutters over to clean them which may work in snow country,
and not break off with ice if left downwards in winter.
Have them tilted up when its safe and collecting rainwater.

oxbow pond - in Australia we call these 'billabongs'.
Natural Billabongs (Water Features)
Formation: They form when a river's bend gets cut off, creating a U-shaped, stagnant pool that fills after rain.
Significance: Vital water sources in dry seasons, teeming with diverse Australian wildlife like birds, fish, turtles, and crocodiles.
Cultural Importance: Deeply significant to Aboriginal culture, serving as spiritual sites and ancestral story repositories.

There are many human made issues that contribute to this issue.
I want to study that video and then come back with a comment.
As we destroy forests that can act as sponges, and cover more land with hard surfaces or pasture, flooding will increase.
As people draw from wells instead of capturing rainfall, ground water will disappear.
Of course agriculture and industry wants more and more water at minimal cost, and they dont care in the short term.
It will take a huge change in mindset to improve things.

What are you actually drying?

We have a similar saying in Melbourne, Australia, " Dont like the weather, wait an hour", sometimes we remind each other of the fact we can have 4 seasons i one day.
I ride motorcycles, it is always smart to have water proofs on board at all times.
I have witnessed drops of 20 deg. Celcius.

Lime can be used instead of portland cement as a stabiliser.
From memory you use about 5% lime