Designing efficient rainwater harvesting systems at home
What's the story
Rainwater harvesting is an eco-friendly way to store precious rainwater for later use.
With water shortages becoming a global crisis, having a well-designed rainwater harvesting system at home can make a big difference in saving water.
This article provides a step-by-step guide to design a rainwater harvesting system like a pro.
Assessment
Understanding your water needs
Before you start designing a rainwater harvesting system, you need to determine how much water your household uses.
This means figuring out the average daily water usage for things like watering the garden, flushing toilets, and doing laundry.
Understanding your needs ensures you design a system that's just right - big enough to meet your demands, but not so oversized (or undersized) that it's wasteful.
Catchment
Choosing the right catchment area
The catchment area, which is usually the roof of your house, is crucial in deciding the quantity of rainwater you can harvest.
Some materials, like metal roofing, are better for collecting water because they don't absorb water like clay tiles do.
Plus, keeping your roof clean and clear of any contaminants is crucial for harvesting clean rainwater.
Storage
Selecting appropriate storage solutions
Storage tanks, the heart of any rainwater harvesting system, should be chosen with a capacity that aligns with your estimated water requirements and the catchment potential of your roof.
Options abound, from above-ground plastic tanks ideal for smaller volumes to underground concrete tanks for storing larger amounts.
Underground options also offer the advantage of preserving cooler water temperatures, which is a plus.
Filtration
Implementing first flush diverters
To maintain high quality of harvested rainwater, it's important to implement first flush diverters.
These devices divert the initial flow of rainwater (which contains most airborne pollutants and debris collected on the catchment surface) away from storage tanks.
Once this initial dirty flush has been diverted, cleaner water can then flow into storage tanks.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is key
For a rainwater harvesting system to work efficiently, you can't ignore the regular maintenance.
This involves cleaning gutters and screens to remove debris and prevent blockages, and inspecting storage tanks for any leaks or signs of contamination.
Seasonal checks, particularly before the monsoon, will make sure the system functions well throughout the year.