Rainwater harvesting system and options for using rainwater in the home

How can rainwater be collected in the country?

In order to collect rainwater in the country, it is necessary to use special devices. First of all, it is necessary to equip the building and its roof with a special drainage system. Then you need to put the container itself under the drain. The container can be dug into the ground, or it can be placed on the ground. The volume of the container depends on the amount of precipitation, as well as on the duration of the rain.

Although it is worth saying that not in all regions it is possible to use rainwater even for household needs. There are regions near which large chemical enterprises are located, or megacities that make large emissions into the atmosphere.All this makes rainwater even more dangerous, which immediately excludes the option of its use for economic purposes. Even if such water is filtered, it is almost impossible to ensure its quality. Indeed, today household filters are designed to remove completely different contaminants, and not those that are in rainwater.

Distribution

Old barrels and watering cans have the advantage of being able to organize the supply of moisture in a targeted manner and without much pressure directly down on the plants. At the same time, the gardener knows how often the container is filled and what is the consumption.

Depending on the properties of the soil, two people can do the job in half a day. Platin plastic container with a capacity of 1500 liters is buried in the ground

The tank is filled with rainwater from a drainpipe through communications laid in the ground. For irrigation on the site, they then use the electric pump built into the tank, which turns on and off automatically.

Rainwater treatment for domestic use

If you want to use rainwater for domestic use and want to install a filter to further purify it, there are a few things you need to do to ensure you have fresh, clean water.

Water purification from bacteria

Because most bacteria enters the rainwater from the roof and gutter of the system (where the water picks up bird feces, etc., as well as other organic matter), pre-filtration is a very important step to clean and store fresh water.

If you use a roof and gutters to collect rainwater, then you need to install a special device that will allow you to dump the water received in the first few minutes after the start of a downpour into the sewer.The fact is that in the first minutes after the onset of rain, all contamination from the roof and other structural elements for collecting rainwater is washed off and enters the fresh water storage tank.

It is especially important to drain such water if the weather was dry for several days before the rain, in such weather pollution accumulates on the roof very actively. In addition to bird feces, there may also be foliage and branches on the roof. Filtering such water is very difficult, and not rational, because mechanical debris will quickly pollute the filter, and further water purification will no longer be possible.

Filtering such water is very difficult, and not rational, because mechanical debris will quickly pollute the filter, and further water purification will no longer be possible.

We drain the water obtained in the first five minutes into the rainwater drainage trays and purify the rest of the water. Despite the fact that we will get rid of the bulk of the garbage, you still need to purify the remaining water from bacteria, as well as from mechanical debris.

Prefilter

The pre-filter is necessary in order to prepare the water with the highest quality for further storage in the tank. The fact is that if raw water is sent to the tank, it will be stored for so long. Reducing the shelf life is not desirable, because it is unlikely that you will be able to use rainwater immediately after a rainstorm. It is best to provide cleaning not only from debris, but also from bacteria. Although it all depends on the purpose for which rainwater will be used. For example, water for watering a garden can only be cleaned of debris. Bacteria do not need to be removed.

Stylish drain

The water collection system in the country or in a country house is a rather cumbersome and unattractive design. In order to somehow decorate and ennoble it, people invent such masterpieces that one can only be surprised.

If the drain is adjacent to an unpainted wall, home-grown artists draw intricate plots on it, “weaving” a drainpipe into them.

For those who like the sound of rushing water, you can extend the pleasure by making the drain not a straight line, but a broken line. Such structures are created both from solid and sawn along pipes.

Now no one is surprised by the flower beds that are located under the drain. But to place hanging flowers directly on the drainpipe will not come to everyone's mind.

Moreover, the design can be improved in such a way that the draining water gets into each flower pot.

Another non-standard approach is to use a suspension system of teapots tilted at the right angle, old dishes, unnecessary things, chains, plastic bottles instead of a pipe.

It happens that the owners do not have the makings of an artist, but there is a desire to decorate a drain pipe.

To do this, there are special figurines on sale, decorative nozzles made of clay, iron and plastic. The drain structure decorated in this way looks unusual and original.

A reasonable design will help to significantly save water resources by not using the central water supply and pumping station.

Special drains for collecting rainwater

Some gutter manufacturers offer parts that are specifically designed for the water collection system. These can be gratings that protect the drain from leaves and large debris.In order not to completely close the drain, you can limit yourself to a barrier placed in the pipe. To store water in a barrel, tie-ins are convenient, which direct water into a container, and when it is full, they divert water to the site.

Ground tanks with rainwater can be placed in the house, namely in the basement. They are good to use in cases where the site is already equipped, and there is free space in the basement. In the room with tanks, the temperature should not fall below 0°C. Ground tanks can hold 750, 1100, 1500 or 2000 liters. The width of these products usually does not exceed 80 cm, which makes it easy to transport them, including through the door. Separate tanks can be combined into batteries to provide the optimal volume for a particular room and house, depending on the tasks.

Underground tanks are preferable if there is little space in the house. In this case, a necessary condition is a low level of groundwater. Underground tanks can have a volume of 2000 or 3000 liters. The size of the pit for the tank should be such that, in addition to it and the inlet pipe, a layer of coarse sand with a thickness of at least 20 cm fits around it. Then the soil pressure on the tank will decrease. The layer of earth above it should not exceed 50 cm.

The capacity of the reservoir should not be too large, so that in the event of an accident or prolonged rains, the accumulated water can go into the rain sewer (if the tank is connected to it) or directly to the site. It is better to connect the tank to the sewer. This is done with a siphon.Thanks to him, the tank is not only freed from excess water, but also receives protection from unpleasant odors from the sewer. It is better to provide such a connection with a special valve that will prevent the return of water from the sewer.

If there has been no precipitation for a long time or the water from the rain tank is completely used up, it must be filled with drinking water. It is best to provide automatic filling with water from the water supply. The tank must be tightly closed to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, the entry of insects and small animals. Some models of rainwater storage tanks have a built-in pump and filters, and also provide for the possibility of connecting additional tanks.

Scheme of the device of the system with an underground reservoir

A large tank installed near the house will be able to satisfy the need for water by 50%. Thanks to special wiring, rainwater will flow to taps that do not require high quality liquids: toilet cisterns, kitchen and watering taps. But in this case, filters are installed.

The tank can be installed under the drainage system on the surface, in the basement or in a pit dug near the house. We will choose the third option, in which the container will be completely immersed in the ground, therefore, it will not occupy a free area near the building and not spoil the beautiful landscape with its technological appearance.

Another advantage of a buried tank: chilled rainwater is not a suitable environment for bacteria to grow, therefore it will not “bloom”

We choose a container with a volume of 2.5-3.5 thousand liters, and, based on its dimensions, we are looking for a place for installation.In addition to the dimensions, when digging a pit, we must take into account the horizons of groundwater and the level of freezing.

The depth of the pit should be approximately 70 cm more than the height of the tank, since 20 cm is a gravel-sand cushion, 50 cm is a layer of earth above the tank (which freezes in the middle lane and northern regions in winter).

Next, we proceed according to the scheme:

• we take out the soil, take the excess to the side;
• we arrange a gravel-sand compacted pillow;
• we install a tank in the center of the pit;
• we fill it from all sides with a mixture of soil and sand;
• we install pumping equipment and pipes (drainage and leading to the house).

Of course, before connecting electrical equipment, it is necessary to establish a water supply system from the roof and make internal wiring. Installation of drains occurs in the traditional way, the pipe through the hatch supplies water to the tank.

The pipeline from the reservoir leads to certain, pre-selected points. Inside the house, in the back room or in the basement, there is a place for installing a pump, filters, and control equipment.

Scheme of using the rainwater collection system: 1 - water level sensor; 2 - float device; 3 - filter; 4 - surface pump; 5 - reservoir with water; 6 - siphon; 7 - filter

After installation and connection, it is necessary to carry out a test run: pour water into the tank and turn on the pump. If everything is in order, the liquid will quickly flow to the draw-off points.

The container should not be empty, as ground movements can cause deformation of the hull. If the water runs out during a drought, it must be filled from the main source.In order not to measure the water level with the help of improvised means, you can draw a kind of scale on the inside of the wall with divisions in fractions or liters.

System Setup

Catch the rain , a 2017 book on rainwater harvesting

Rainwater harvesting systems range in complexity from systems that can be installed with minimal skills to automated systems that require advanced setup and installation. The basic rainwater harvesting system is more of a plumbing job than a technical job, as all exits from the building's terrace are connected by a pipe to an underground reservoir that stores the water. Such systems are fitted with common components such as pre-filters (see e.g. vortex filter), drains/chutes, storage tanks, and depending on whether the system is pressurized, also pumps and treatment devices such as UV - lamps, chlorination devices and post-filtration equipment.

The systems are ideally sized to meet the demand for water during the dry season as it must be large enough to support daily water consumption. In particular, a rain trapping area, such as the roof of a building, must be large enough to support adequate water flow. The size of the water storage tank should be large enough to hold the captured water. Low tech rainwater harvesting systems use many low tech methods: rooftop systems, capturing surface water and pumping rainwater that has already soaked into the ground or is captured in tanks and stores it in tanks (cistern).

Before a rainwater harvesting system is built, the use of digital tools is useful, for example, to determine if a region has a high rainwater harvesting potential, or to estimate the amount of water needed to meet a community's water needs. These tools can save time and money before committing to a system, and make the project sustainable and long-term.

COLLECTING RAIN WATER FOR IRRIGATION - USEFUL DEVICES

IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND A COTTAGE resident WHO DOES NOT USE RAIN WATER FOR ECONOMIC PURPOSES. FOR CONVENIENT COLLECTION, DIFFERENT DEVICES CAN BE INTEGRATED INTO THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

Of course, the easiest way is to substitute an old barrel under the drain. However, in the event of an overflow, it is necessary to organize the drainage of water away from the house, otherwise it will erode the soil, creating dirt in front of the building or, even worse, it will reach the underground part of the foundation.

PLASTIC INSERT-FILTER

At a house equipped with a storm water drainage system, a special plastic water trap can be used to fill the tank. It is built in between two sections of the downpipe, without dismantling the latter entirely. The body of the water collector includes a branch pipe for connecting a tee nozzle or a hose directly, through which water will flow into the storage tank (Fig. 1). As soon as the barrel is full (Fig. 2), the height of the water in the device will reach a critical level,

and it will start pouring out into the drainpipe. Thus, overflow protection is implemented in the water collector, which functions according to the principle of communicating vessels.Thanks to it, water flows will not wash away the foundation and seep into the basement - they will go down the drain into the drainage or sewer system.

The water collector has a cover and a strainer. The first is made of soft plastic, which can be easily cut into notches for any shape and diameter of downpipes (65-100 mm). The mesh allows you to retain fallen leaves and small debris.

Such a device is manufactured, for example, by the Canadian company Murol. Its rainwater collectors are produced in a wide range of colors and are suitable for both round and rectangular pipes. Drainage elements of a similar design are also produced by the Polish company Cellfast (trademark Bryza). True, its products can only be used for round gutters 0 90 mm.

There is only one minus for plastic inserts: passing through them, the water does not completely go into the storage tank, since some of it also enters the drain, which means that it will not be possible to quickly fill the tank.

RAIN VALVE

The design of such drainage systems as Aquasystem and Zambelli provides for a ready-made water collector. This element is a section of pipe with a short chute: if necessary, it can be opened and fixed in an inclined position, like a door (Fig. 3). In this case, the water will begin to flow down it directly into the barrel. Once filled, the gutter can be easily replaced and the pipe will continue to perform its normal functions. As a filter, a round metal part with often spaced holes is used. Installing it is not required, but still desirable.

Unfortunately, this method of water collection has significant drawbacks.Firstly, the valve can only be used with a drain from a specific manufacturer. Secondly, it does not have overflow protection, which means that the process of filling the tank will have to be monitored.

However, there is an advantage: the design of the folding chute is simple, and if desired, it is easy to make it yourself. To do this, it is best to use a piece of pipe of the same diameter as the drain.

All that needs to be done is to make a gutter out of it and fix it in a pre-cut hole in the drainage system.

At the same time, comparing both devices - a rain valve and a plastic insert, it must be admitted that using a plastic water collector is much more convenient.

Effects

If a person, despite the recommendations of doctors and scientists, drinks rainwater, the following side effects will occur:

1. Infection with bacteria with the formation of vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, intoxication of the body with a rise in body temperature.

2. Entering the digestive tract of helminthic invasion, in case of complications, the parasites spread to the liver, kidneys, and other internal organs.
3. Infection with protozoa, the disease can proceed in a latent form, being detected during severe complications (for example, with hepatitis).
4. The ingress of chemical compounds into the body, leading to the failure of the internal organs.
5. Mixed infection, for example, when infected with fungi, bacteria, worms.
6. Diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, periodontitis, gingivitis, candidiasis).
7. Violation of the intestinal microflora with the development of dysbacteriosis.

Severe consequences can occur instantly. For example, when infected with an intestinal infection. Rapidly developing fever, diarrhea, vomiting.

However, when a helminthic invasion enters, tissue damage is formed more slowly. A person does not immediately notice that he is infected. This rainwater is especially dangerous.

- for watering the garden (rainwater does not contain chlorine and is rich in oxygen);

- for washing and cleaning (soft rainwater reduces the consumption of detergents)

- to wash the car and flush the toilet.

The easiest and most affordable way for a summer resident is to collect water from the roof using a system of gutters installed along the edges of the roof, the main drain and receiving containers.

Collecting rainwater from the roof

1. Downpipe

2. Barrel

3. Filter mesh

4. Tube for draining excess water

5. Storm sewer

6. Garden faucet

Rainwater containers must be well cleaned and have a lid. The simplest and most common material is two hundred liter barrels from various fuels and lubricants.

When preparing such containers, precautions must be taken. The top of such a container is cut off, after repeated washing of the barrel from the remnants of the contents, after removing the top, the insides are calcined with a blowtorch, then cleaned with sandpaper and washed again. After cutting off the upper part of the barrel, the edges are treated with a coarse file and polished

Then they measure the diameter of the container and make a wooden lid with a sealing ring.

After cutting off the upper part of the barrel, the edges are treated with a coarse file and sanded. Then the diameter of the container is measured and a lid is made of wood with a sealing ring.

The unpresentable appearance of such a container is eliminated by painting it to match the color or background of a country house.The most advanced craftsmen make a drain tap on the side of the barrel - a useful additional element if you need to wash your hands without bringing soap or other hygiene products into the entire container. The need for a tight cover is dictated by measures to protect water from mosquitoes, spiders, butterflies and other buzzing brethren. During the period of water collection, cover the top of the barrel with a mosquito net, in this way you will save yourself from the subsequent catching of leaves and other debris brought from the yard or washed off the roof with a water stream.

Advice!

The pump should be cleaned and stored in a warm room. To protect the container from freezing, the lid is covered with sand on top.

It is not recommended to drink such water without special treatment, which consists in boiling and chlorination with the help of special tablets that are sold in pharmacies.

Underground rainwater collection system

1. Roof - a place for collecting rainwater.

2. Gutter.

3. Filter.

4. Reservoir.

5. Pipe for draining excess water.

6. Sewerage.

7. Pump.

8. Rain "plumbing"

9. Garden tap.

When building a country house, bring drainpipes to the backyard. It is advisable to set their height from the ground in accordance with the height of the container for collecting water. If there is a shed or a technical house for inventory on the site, also equip it with a water collection system, it will not take much time, and the end result, a full barrel of clean water, will always come in handy for a real summer resident. When watering flowers or areas of the garden with your favorite vegetation, you do not have to rush around the area with a hose to get to the flower bed.It is easier to fill the watering can with rainwater and water the flowers.

How to collect rain water

In order to organize the collection of rainwater, a roof with a slope of 10 degrees or more, gutters, downpipes, filter grids, connectors, a pump (if necessary) and a storage tank of considerable size are required.

Downspouts are not only suitable for nocturnes, and gutters can be not only functional, but also beautiful.

Rainwater harvesting makes sense if you have a shed or gable roof. On flat roofs, water stagnates, harmful bacteria multiply in it. Such water will not benefit either you or your plants.

It is undesirable to use rainwater on the farm if there is an industrial enterprise or a large city nearby.

Do not use roofs, gutters and pipes made of materials containing copper, lead, asbestos and other substances that can have a negative impact on human health to collect rainwater. Roofs made of ceramic tiles are safe, but only if you do not cover them with various protective compounds.

Owners of roofs made of classic asbestos-containing slate or copper tiles, which are now popular, will have to look for other sources of water for irrigation.

To collect rainwater, you will need any storage container, for example, an old barrel. The material from which this container is made should not change the chemical composition of the water. Most often, gardeners use barrels made of polyethylene, food-grade plastic or galvanized steel. There are several options for placing the container:

• it can be installed above ground level, which will allow the use of water for domestic needs without a pump;
• you can dig a barrel into the ground, which often looks more aesthetically pleasing and also holds back the flowering of water; but this will require earthworks, the organization of a sand or sand and gravel cushion, etc .;
• some place water collection tanks in utility rooms.

The color of the barrel also matters. In dark containers, water warms up faster and is therefore suitable for a summer shower. Light and reflective surfaces, on the contrary, do not allow the sun to heat the water too much. As a rule, in this case it is more suitable for watering.

In order to prevent clogging of water, as well as to protect babies and your pets, the container is equipped with a securely closing lid into which a drainpipe is cut.

Water in containers that are not covered quickly becomes clogged and blooms, which automatically reduces the options for its use.

In order to avoid unpleasant surprises, it is important to think about how to ensure that excess fluid is drained into the sewer, since rains are often protracted, and you may not be at the dacha at the most crucial moment. To prevent flooding of the area in the upper part of the barrel, a branch can be made leading to the sewer. It is advisable to install non-buried barrels on a drainage base - a grate or large pebbles with a mandatory groove for the outflow of excess water

It is advisable to install non-buried barrels on a drainage base - a grate or large pebbles with a mandatory groove for the outflow of excess water.

To protect the gutters from clogging, they need to be covered with a net (today you can find gutters that are originally sold in this configuration). Also, the filter mesh must be installed at the junction of the gutters with downpipes.Gutters must be regularly cleared of accumulated debris.

Pipes are selected depending on the volume of the drain, usually their diameter is from 8 to 30 cm. If you decide to do without downpipes, then chains of various traditional and original shapes can be used to reduce splashes from falling water.

In general, rainwater harvesting is simple and inexpensive. But so that your work on installing downpipes and gutters is not in vain, read how to properly water plants:

How to organize water drainage on the site

This task is complex, it includes systems that complement each other:

• drainage system;
• surface drainage system;
• drainage system.

With the help of the first two systems, rain and melt water can be diverted. These varieties of groundwater are seasonal in nature and represent a significant problem for houses with a basement. In addition, they can instantly fill the cesspool during the onset of floods.

In the presence of a roofing system, rainwater quickly accumulates and is diverted to the catchment area. If there is no drain, then very soon the rains will simply break the steps, the blind area and all the paths near the building. The remaining melt and storm water is removed using surface drainage.

If the basement is flooded with water, and, at the same time, the cesspool must be pumped out weekly, then deep drainage will have to be performed.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Instructive and informative videos will help you install your own rainwater storage tank.

Video #1 How to make a rainwater harvesting system with an outdoor tank with your own hands:

Video #2Useful theoretical information:

Video #3 Preparation of a plastic barrel for autonomous water supply:

The purity and natural softness of rainwater make it suitable for domestic use, irrigation, and sometimes filling the heating system. Thanks to a large storage tank and a pump, you can always use a backup source of water that is relevant during the emptying of the well.

If you have interesting information, valuable recommendations, your own experience in the design of a system built to collect rainwater, please leave. To place them below the text of the article, a block form is open.