RAIN WATERHARVESTING IN PUBLIC BUILDING

1. Introduction

Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is the collection and storage of rain, rather than allowing it to run
off. Rainwater is collected from a roof-like surface and redirected to a tank, cistern, deep pit or a
reservoir with percolation, so that it seeps down and restores the ground water. As the population
grows, cities and suburbs expand with more buildings and hence demands on water continue to
rise. It is becoming increasingly important for businesses and public entities to install rainwater-
harvesting system. Rainwater harvesting is the first solution in water management strategies for
various commercial, public and residential building. Rainwater harvesting system is progressively
becoming a part of the sustainable water management measures. Rainwater harvesting is a process
that captures, stores and reuses rainfall water. Harvesting rainwater is one of the simplest of ways
in which we can live sustainably with nature. A rainwater harvesting system works by collecting
the rain from roof gutters, filtering it and storing the water in a tank. Rainwater harvesting is
gaining popularity leading to eco-conservation. Most of the Public buildings use a significant
amount of water and energy in their daily operations. Rainwater harvesting is old and effective
technique of collecting rainwater during rainy season for future usage purpose. The ecological
benefit of rainwater harvesting systems for public buildings is that there will be a significant
reduction in the amount of water used from the mains.

2. Objectives:

The main objectives of rainwater harvesting are

1. To meet the increase demand of water.

2.0 Literature review

2.1 Rainwater harvesting and its importance

Rainwater harvesting is an ancient technique enjoying a revival in popularity due to the inherent
quality of rainwater and interest in reducing consumption of treated water. Rainwater Harvesting
may back to 6,000 years ago in china. Evidence is available for rainwater collection at least to
4,000 years ago (Karunasena, 2013). In Nepal also made rajkulos, ponds made in ancient times.
Rainwater Harvesting is a system by which, rainwater that collects on the roofs and the area around
buildings is directed into open wells, bore wells, tube wells through a filter tank or in to a
percolation chamber, built specifically to serve the purpose. Further, more rainwater harvesting
implies collection and storage of the rainy season precipitation that would have seeped into soil or
run off into stream channels. Importance of rainwater harvesting make sure that, there is no water
shortage in the future and approach of rainwater harvesting system into the building is an effective
way to minimize the use of treated water for non-potable use.

2.2 Rainwater harvesting for Public buildings

Surface run-off harvesting and rooftop harvesting are the two main method of rainwater
harvesting where rooftop harvesting is the most preferred rainwater harvesting method for public
buildings. The basic components of this system are catchment, gutter, down take pipes, storage
tank, and distribution system (Prinz, 2012). Catchment area directly receives the rainfall where
gutters and down take pipes make the water flow from the catchment surface to the storage tank
which can be placed either above the ground or below the ground. Finally, the captured rainwater
will be filtered and distributed to the point of use through distribution system. It can provide non-
potable water to meet various needs of public building such as toilet flushing, gardening etc. The
efficient use of water becomes increasingly important. Harvesting rainwater is an important part
of determining the environmental friendliness of the building. Rainwater harvesting systems
enable the collection, conservation and reuse of rainwater that falls onto roofs area of a building
and it has significant potential to provide environmental and economic benefits.
3.0 Methodology:

Case Study

Austin Central Library:

The Austin Central Library in Austin, Texas has

gotten its fair share of hype – so much hype, in fact,
that it was included on the Time’s 2018 list of the
world’s 100 Great places. The Austin Central
Library uses strategies called rainwater
capture, condensate reuse and reclaimed water to
make the most of precious water resources in a
drought-prone and quickly growing urban center.
Fig 1: Austin Central Library
What that means is that the library collects both
rainwater and the water that drips off air conditioning systems, and then it uses that water again to
irrigate the library’s landscaping and to flush its toilets and urinals. Reclaimed water used as a
back-up supply to in case rainwater and air conditioning condensate are not available.

1. Rain falls on to the library’s roof and is channeled into rainwater collection pipes that take the
water from the roof, down to below the ground, and across the street to a large cistern. That cistern
can hold a whopping 700,000 gallons of water.

2. Meanwhile, an intake pipe in the library’s parking garage takes the building’s A/C
condensate and pipes it into the same cistern as the rainwater. A/C condensate is the water that
drips off air conditioning systems.

3. Water piped from the cistern back to the library, where it goes through a treatment system that
includes bag filters and UV disinfection. This water will not be used for drinking purposes, but it
is still cleaned to safe standards before being reused.

4.0 Discussion:

According to the case study and finding , there are many factors affecting the implementation of
rain water harvesting system in can be identified .Public building only used primary water
treatment method such as sand filters . Because of that, the rainwater treatment methods depends
on the use of harvesting rainwater. Any of the selected case do not utilize for drinking, because
of the uncertainly regarding quality of rainwater and cost of water treatment.
5.0 Conclusion

There is water shortage in urban areas where people are approaching the alternative sources,
rainwater harvesting could be helpful in reducing potable water consumption to some extent and
contribute to water sustainability .Rainwater harvesting is an eco-friendly technique to save
water. It reduce water crises in future time. It also increase level of ground water. Effective use
of this method helps us to save our earth.

References:

1.Special Session on Green Building, 4 th International Conference on Structural Engineering

and Construction Management 2013, Kandy, Sri Lanka, 13th, 14th & 15th December 2013

2. Julius, R. et al, (2013). Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) - A Review. International Journal of

Scientific & Engineering Research. 4(8).