A precipitation (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, etc.) harvesting apparatus 3000 comprising a basic storage chamber or cistern 3002, which comprises an open vessel 3003 (such as a children's inflatable pool) and an optional primary catchment membrane 3004 which is placed over and attached to the open vessel 3003 to form the storage chamber 3002. An optional extended membrane 3005 is shown extending upward and away from vessel 3003 and is shown optionally supported by optionally inflatable or collapsible support tubes 3006 which are in turn fastened to the ground 3008 or other surface on which the apparatus 3000 is resting using tie lines, cables, strings and/or the like 3010 which are attached to ground stakes 3012. A liquid dispensing conduit 3014 is shown connected to and leading away from the storage vessel 3003 for draining harvested rainwater or other liquid 3016 contained within the storage chamber. The apparatus also includes a filter 3018 located, for example, in proximity to the center of the catchment membrane 3004, wherein the membrane has an opening or port 3017 optionally located in proximity to the center of the membrane 3004.