posted 5 years ago
Fencing off an even larger area with chicken wire, 6 inches bent out at the bottom, and metal posts, to stop all but the smallest critters would protect that area for starters. Rabbits and rats will probably leave the most poop once the larger animals are excluded. It would also protect whatever catchment basin you decide on.
There is food-grade plastic, which while it's not the perfect organic solution you may be looking for, it does let you sleep at night knowing that the flow of clean water is untouched. Getting sick because of the failure of a non-sealed or broken-sealed catchment may not be worth it.
You can always put an in-line filter before it goes into a storage tank, or before it enters the house if you think the plastic has issues.
Mediterranean climate, hugel trenches, fabulous clay soil high in nutrients, self-watering containers with hugel layers, keyhole composting with low hugel raised beds, thick Back to Eden Wood chips mulch (distinguished from Bark chips), using as many native plants as possible....all drought tolerant.