Every drop of water matters to Beijing, a city that has battled drought for the past seven years.

The city's rainwater target is an inspiration that is both commendable and workable.

With the high-rainfall season just around the corner, Beijing's water management department called on Tuesday for rainwater to be harvested.

Every resident needs to lend a hand, even though it was a call to all work units in the city.

The serious dearth of water has turned out to be a bottleneck in the capital's social and economic development. Recent summers have been dry enough for the local government to call for voluntary and sometimes mandatory water use restrictions.

The call to harvest rainwater, issued just before summer, serves as a reminder that every drop of water should be treasured, and that it is time to take action.

Backing the rainwater-harvesting idea are Beijing's seven departments dealing with city planning, landscaping, construction, rural affairs and environmental protection.

But broad participation is needed if the idea is to really make a difference.

If this approach is taken, rainfall of 230 million cubic metres will be available for the city.

This is a free and clean gift from Mother Nature.

The city has built 55 structures, which can store 1.25 million cubic metres of water.

Relatively abundant rainfall visits Beijing in summer, while there is less water to fill the reservoirs and rivers in the other three seasons.

A close examination of residential water use shows there are plenty of places that rainwater can be harvested to keep gardens green and local lakes full of fish during times of low rainfall.

The idea could be really sensible as long as it is accepted by Beijingers and supported by rainwater harvesting techniques.

In the ordinary home, the easiest place to begin is by placing a rain barrel under each rainwater spout. The rainwater can be used to flush toilets and water flowers, grass and trees.

If possible, rainwater harvesting on a residential level should be made a mandatory part of building codes.