Rainwater Harvesting: Develop a Water Harvesting Model for

the Neighborhood

Rainwater harvesting refers to the collecting of rainwater, mostly on a roof, from where it flows
through gutters into a collection tank. In other words, it refers to a storage system-could be either
above or below the ground-that collects, stores and distributes run-off of rain or snow from roofs.

Why rainwater harvesting?

In areas where water supply is problematic or water resources are scarce, rain harvesting is a
good solution. It reduces the use of treated municipal water for uses such as landscaping, toilet
flushing and laundry; reduces the need for well drilling; and reduces peak storm water volume.

Rainwater harvesting can provide clean water-supply for a small community. Especially when
pipelines are too expensive to set up and one central well or pump cannot be used all around the year,
a rainwater catchment system is a workable solution.

Some advantages of rain harvesting:

Easily accessible

Set-up costs are low, with construction easy, materials low-cost and maintenance cheap

Sustainability is higher

Easily adaptable to different types of communities

Components of a rainwater harvesting system

A rainwater harvesting set-up is composed of a water-collection system, a storage cistern and a water
distribution system. It mainly needs:

Rain, and plenty of it preferably

A catchment area

Gutters or pipes

Storage tank

Filter (can be a simple metal screen filter or slow sand filter or even more sophisticated types if
required or available)

Pump or pressure tank for distribution

Rain Harvesting Benefits

The primary benefits of harvesting precipitation are non-potable and potable water supply
augmentation and receiving water quality improvement:

On-site rain harvesting retains the maximum rainfall possible on an annual and sustainable basis.

On-site rain harvesting effectively delivers a water supply to an end use at an acceptable water quality
and minimal energy cost; and

On-site rain harvesting is the least polluted water resource and cheapest to treat compared to
stormwater flowing in the public right-of-way and available to harvest.

The secondary benefits of harvesting precipitation are important:

Reduces peak flows, flooding and erosion.

Reduces combined sanitary sewer overflows.

Reduces the heat island effect by converting impermeable, heat-reflecting surfaces (driveways,
parking lots) to permeable, heat-retaining surfaces.

Promotes a water self-sufficiency goal.

Increases property value due to sustainable water earthworks and storage systems.

Reduces potable water demand.

Keeps more freshwater in watersheds for wildlife and human enjoyment, and reduces environmental
consequences when overexploited.

Five Design Steps

As the rain harvesting industry continues to grow, it is important to understand that an effective rain
harvesting system with minimal annual maintenance is essential. No matter the size of the system,
five design steps will ensure an effective and sustainable harvesting system. A typical direct-use
harvesting system has the following components:

Collection system, e.g., impermeable surfaces (metal, tile, shingle roofs), upon which rain lands, and a
conveyance conduit to move the rainwater to a storage tank;

Pre-treatment (screening-separation) device;

Storage tank (cistern);

Polishing treatment system to meet water quality standards for end-uses; and

Distribution plumbing system to final enduses, whether outdoor or indoor applications and overflow.

Using these steps as guidelines will ensure your rainwater system is of the highest quality and
requires minimal maintenance, regardless of its size. Because rain harvesting design and installation
involve several disciplines, it is recommended to consult a qualified professional of rain harvesting
systems, which is a time-honored and recently rediscovered practice.