Harvesting

Broadly rainwater can be harvested for two purposes

System

Storing rainwater for ready use in containers above or below ground Charged into the soil for withdrawal later (groundwater recharging)

Source: A Water Harvesting Manual For Urban Areas

From

where

to

harvest

rain

Rainwater harvesting can be harvested from the following surfaces Rooftops: If buildings with impervious roofs are already in place, the catchment area is effectively available free of charge and they provide a supply at the point of consumption. Paved and unpaved areas i.e., landscapes, open fields, parks, stormwater drains, roads and pavements and other open areas can be effectively used to harvest the runoff. The main advantage in using ground as collecting surface is that water can be collected from a larger area. This is particularly advantageous in areas of low rainfall. Waterbodies: The potential of lakes, tanks and ponds to store rainwater is immense. The harvested rainwater can not only be used to meet water requirements of the city, it also recharges groundwater aquifers. Stormwater drains: Most of the residential colonies have proper network of stormwater drains. If maintained neatly, these offer a simple and cost effective means for harvesting rainwater.

Whether

to

store

rainwater

or

use

it

for

recharge:

The decision whether to store or recharge water depends on the rainfall pattern and the potential to do so, in a particular region. The sub-surface geology also plays an important role in making this decision. For example, Delhi, Rajasthan and Gujarat where the total annual rainfall occurs during 3 or 4 months, are examples of places where groundwater recharge is usually practiced. In places like Kerala, Mizoram, Tamil Nadu and Bangalore where rain falls throughout the year barring a few dry periods, one can depend on a small sized tank for storing rainwater, since the period between two spells of rain is short. Wherever sub-strata is impermeable recharging will not be feasible. Hence, it would be ideal to opt for storage.

Source: A Water Harvesting Manual For Urban Areas

In places where the groundwater is saline or not of potable standards, the alternate system could be that of storing rainwater. Beyond generalisations, it is the requirement that governs the choice of water harvesting technique. For example, in Ahemadabad, which has limited number of rainy days as that of Delhi, traditional rainwater harvesting tanks, known as tankas, are used to store rainwater even today in residential areas, temples and hotels.

Rainwater harvesting is the accumulation and deposition of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. Uses include water for garden, water for livestock, water for irrigation, and indoor heating for houses etc.. In many places the water collected is just redirected to a deep pit with percolation. The harvested water can be used asdrinking water as well as for storage and other purpose like irrigation.

Advantages[edit]
Rainwater harvesting provides an independent water supply during regional water restrictions and in developed countries is often used to supplement the main supply. It provides water when there is a drought, prevents flooding of low-lying areas, replenishes the ground water level, and enables dug wells and bore wells to yield in a sustained manner. It also helps in the availability of clean water by reducing the salinity and the presence of iron salts. Makes use of a natural resource and reduces flooding, storm water, erosion, and contamination of surface water with pesticides, sediment, metals and fertilizers. Excellent source of water for landscape irrigation, with no chemicals such as fluoride and chlorine, and any dissolved salts and minerals from the soil. Home systems can be relatively simple to install and operate and it ma y reduce your water bill. Promotes both water and energy conservation.

System setup[edit]
Rainwater harvesting systems can be installed with minimal skills. The system should be sized to meet the water demand throughout the dry season since it must be big enough to support daily water consumption. Specifically, the rainfall capturing area such as a building roof must be large enough to maintain adequate flow. Likewise, the water storage tank should be large enough to contain the captured water.
[citation needed]

Rain water harvesting by freshwater flooded forests[edit]

Ratagul Freshwater Flooded Forest, Bangladesh

Rain water harvesting is possible by growing fresh water flooded forestswithout losing the income from the used /submerged land.
[1]

The main purpose of the rain water harvesting is to utilize the locally

available rain water to meet water requirements throughout the year without the need of huge capital expenditure. This would facilitate availability of uncontaminated water for domestic, industrial and irrigation needs.