There still are communities around the world that practice rainwater harvesting. Some communities do this as a way of saving water, while other communities do this due to mitigate issues with the water utility provider at times. Still, there are other communities that practice rainwater harvesting as a way of preparing for upcoming dry spells or droughts.<\/p>\n
There are two primary methods to harvest rainwater. The first method involves the placement of an empty barrel under a downspout, and the second method involves the construction of a rainwater harvesting system. While both methods work, in that they allow you to take advantage of a clean and safe form of for multiple household uses. Many people choose to use rainwater for all uses in the home, like drinking water, but others choose to use only for select needs, like gardening or washing the car.\u00a0 For all uses, ensuring that you harvest cleaner, safer rainwater requires that you follow a few key\u00a0 guidelines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Drainage and Catchment Parts for Rainwater Harvesting<\/p>\n
Roof<\/strong> Drainage<\/strong> Gravity system \u2013<\/strong> Comprises at least one tank that is directly fed by downpipes above or near it. Many tanks in a site that are fed by gravity may be connected by underground pipes so that storage in every tank is regulated.<\/p>\n Charged system \u2013<\/strong> Set up so that roof catchment draining is maximised to one tank. Often, pipes remain filled with water between storms unless drained manually. Charged pipes need to be drained to prevent the stagnation of water. Stagnant water causes organic material buildup.<\/p>\n The flow capacity and arrangement of charged drains must be confirmed by either a hydraulic engineer or plumber to prevent gutter overflow during big storms.<\/p>\n Below-Ground Tanks \u2013<\/strong> Need to be sealed in order to prevent groundwater inflow. Also needs to be sited to allow free draining of downpipes to tank. To do this, make sure overflow coming from tank is at least 50mm below inlet above tank.<\/p>\n It shouldn\u2019t be hard to select a tank for your residential rainwater harvesting system. After all, tanks are now available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities. If you\u2019re looking to save space whilst still enjoying the benefits of clean, safe rainwater, then go for the slimline, underdeck, or underground tank.<\/p>\n Rain Treatment Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n Rain treatment options come in different variants. You may need many of them to make your rainwater suitable depending on how you’ll be using your water.<\/p>\n Screens for Downpipe and Gutter \u2013<\/strong> A combination of fine and coarse screens positioned at breaks in downpipes (which are located between tank and roof surface) and on at least one section of the gutter can help separate debris from rainwater. They also prevent tank water access by animals like rodents, mosquitoes, and frogs.<\/p>\n Inlet and Tank Screens \u2013<\/strong> To filter water even further, screens need to be set on top of the tank (inlet screens). Finer screens also need to be set over tank outlets to prevent access by mosquitoes. There must also be screens or sun-shades set up to cover every tank inlet so light penetration is minimised, and thus prevent algae growth, which lowers rainwater quality.<\/p>\n First Flush Diverter \u2013<\/strong> The first flush diverter, which needs to be set up after the screening devices on every downpipe and before a tank inlet, keeps out the first flow of water during rainfall, which is filled with contaminants and debris.<\/p>\n
\nMany roofing materials are considered to be suitable for the practice of rainwater harvesting, provided that none of the water harvested from these roofs will be used for human or animal consumption. Ensuring that a roof stays suitable for collecting rain involves keeping it clear of debris, plants, and fallen plant and tree parts.<\/p>\n
\nRain that flows off the roof then goes to downpipes evenly distributed throughout the guttering. Downpipes can be gravity-fed straight to the tank or connected to the underground via a charged drain system. More details on these drain system options are highlighted below.<\/p>\nChoosing Your Storage Tank for Rainwater Catchment<\/h3>\n