4.1.

determination of storage tank capacity, design of gutters and downpipes

4.1.1 preliminary design parameters
The methodology used in calculation of preliminary design parameters is based on some of the
available literature on rain water harvesting system and data collected on study area.

4.2. CALCULATIONS
4.2.1 Assess proposed catchment area
4.2.2 Determine the catchment area of unharvested buildings
The catchment area is the surface that will correct rainwater to the storage tank. It is necessary to
calculate the plan area of catchment surface i.e. length (L) multiplied by width (W) for
rectangular roof shape.

The roof material consists of iron sheets and so an expected runoff coefficient of 0.90 will be
used.

To estimate possible rainwater harvesting which could be collected from rooftop, we use rational
method to determine the rate of water we can catch in one year. we can also need to determine
the catchment area of roof.

4.2.3. Determination of the quantity of water to be harvested

The mathematical calculation is given as:

Quantity of rainfall per year= rain fall intensity(mm/year) *total catchment area*runoff
coefficient

Consideration data:

Total catchment area(A):1302.26 m2

Annual average rainfall(I):909.109525mm/year

Monthly average rainfall =75.8 mm/month

Runoff coefficient(C): 0.9 (used for iron sheet)

Quantity of rainfall per month(Q)=I*A*C

I: montly rain fall

A: catchment area

C: runoff coefficient

s/n building Catchment Monthly Runoff Q=A*I*C(m3)

area(A)m2 rainfall(I) coefficient(C
)
1 Administratio 253 0.0758 0.9 17.25
n block
2 Auditorium 221 0.0758 0.9 15.07
Hall
3 Electrical store 152 0.0758 0.9 10.36
Plumbing wsc 158.26 0.0758 0.9 10.79
4 Masonry wsc 210 0.0758 0.9 14.32
5 Carpentry wsc 266 0.0758 0.9 18.14
6 Toilet 42 0.0758 0.9 2.86
Total 88.79 m3

Table 4.3 monthly amount of rainwater harvested for unharvested buildings

s/n Building Catchment Monthly Runoff Q=A*I*C(m3)

area(A)m2 rainfall(I) coefficient(C
 )
1 Classroom block1 390 0.0758 0.9 26.6
2 Classroom block2 415 0.0758 0.9 28.31
3 Classroom block3 415 0.0758 0.9 28.31
4 Classroom block4 330 0.0758 0.9 22.51
5 Kitchen block 266 0.0758 0.9 18.14
6 Refectory 380 0.0758 0.9 25.92
7 Girls dormitory block 694.5 0.0758 0.9 47.37
8 Boys dormitory 406 0.0758 0.9 27.69
9 Staff rooms 193.8 0.0758 0.9 13.22
dormitory
Total 238.07

Table 4.4: monthly amount of rainwater harvested for harvested buildings

The total water discharge (harvested and un harvested buildings) is 326.86m3 which contribute
68.92 per cent of needed water. The amount of water to be discharged from unharvested
buildings will contribute 18.72 per cent of water demand.

4.3 Determination of storage tank capacity

According to the table 4.1 the total quantity of rainwater to be harvested is 88.79 m 3, as safety
factor the tank should be sized 18% larger than required i.e.104.77m3.

After calculating total area of 1302.26m2 and amount of water to be harvested of 88.79 m 3, we
suggest to use 11 storage tanks.

Two tanks of 10m3 each are located at administration block which have catchment area of 253m 2
with 17.25m3 as water to be harvested within one month.

Three tanks of 10m3 each will collect water from Auditorium hall and electrical store with 25.43
m3 both as water to be harvested within one month. Five tanks of 10m 3 each will collecting water
from plumbing workshop masonry workshop and carpentry workshop with 43.25m3 as water to
be harvested within one month.one storage tank of 5 m 3 for collecting water from toilet block of
2.86 m3.
4.4 Sizing and design of gutters
Rainwater harvesting gutter systems work successfully through the interaction of three basic
components: the catchment, delivery system, and storage reservoir. Most critically, the
interaction between the catchment and the delivery system must convey water from the roof of a
home into the gutter system with minimal water lost. The total conveyance of a gutter system can
be calculated using Manning’s formula. This flow of water from the roof (Q) is a function of the
roughness coefficient of the gutter material (N), the cross-sectional area of the gutter (A)
hydraulic radius of the gutter (R) and the slope of the gutter following the roof, (S)2 (Brown,
Schall et al. 2009).

rh= A/P= by/b+2y,

A=by
P=b+2y
NOTE: b=2y, y= (1/2)b
Where: Q: discharge of rainfall
n: roughness coefficient equal to 0.022 from table2.1
a: area
rh: hydraulic radius
s: slope assumed to be 1/100
p: wetted perimeter
For administration block we have catchment area of 253m 2 for 3 sides, one side will have 84.33
m2.
Q=AIC
Q: discharge of rainfall
I: highest monthly rainfall intensity (270 mm)
A: catchment
Q= 84.33*270*0.9/30*24*60*60=0.008m3/s
0.008=1/0.022*2y2(2y2/2y+2y)2/3*(1/100)1/2

[0.008*0.022*10]3=2y8
y= [(5*10-10)/2]1/8

y=0.085m=8.5cm

then b=2y =2*8.5=17cm

for auditorium hall have catchment area of 221m2 for 2sides, one side will have 110.5 m2.
Q= 110.5*270*0.9/30*24*60*60=0.0103 m3/s

0.0103=1/0.022*2y2(2y2/2y+2y)2/3*(1/100)1/2

[0.0103*0.022*10]3=2y8

y= [(22.66*10-5/2)] 1/8

y= 0.0934m=9.34cm=10cm

then b=2y= 2*10=20cm

for electrical store have catchment area of 152 m2 for 2 sides, one side will have76m2.

Q=76*270*0.9/30*24*60*60=0.007m3/s